In June, 2010, the Illinois State Board of Education adopted new learning standards known at the Common Core for students in grades K-12.  Development of the Common Core standards is a national effort developed to better prepare our students for college and career readiness.  Currently, 45 states have adopted the Common Core standards and are transitioning now.  As a result of the new standards, there will also be a new standardized assessment.  PARCC (Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness of College and Careers) is the new assessment that is being developed now and will officially replace the ISAT in the 2014-2015 school year.  For more information about the Common Core Standards and the PARCC assessment, please visit the following websites:

PARCC
Achieve the Core
Council of Great City Schools
Inside Mathematics MARS Tasks, Problems of the Month, Math Talks, Videos, etc
Common Core Illinois Provides parent-friendly information and videos about the move to the CCSS