This page maps California's approaches to academic standards in STEM subjects since the mid-1990s, and highlights important new developments in the national conversation around content standards.

Mathematics

California Standards and Frameworks

California first adopted academic content standards in mathematics in 1997. At present, those 1997 standards still provide the foundation for state assessments and state-adopted curriculum programs in the subject.

However, in August 2010, California joined the majority of states in adopting the Common Core State Standards in mathematics. The Common Core standards in math were developed under the leadership of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

The version of the Common Core in math adopted by California includes notable revisions largely focused on the issue of algebra in grade 8, which has been a longstanding policy focus and topic of debate in the state. During the coming years, the State Board of Education and other state policymakers will make important decisions related to implementation of these standards in California around testing, accountability.

• California's new Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, adopted August 2010
• A Look at Kindergarten though Grade Six in California Public Schools
• 2005 Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools
• 1997 Mathematics Content Standards for California Public Schools

National Context - Common Core State Standards

The following documents reflect the work of the national Common Core State Standards initiative, developed under the leadership of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

• Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
• Common Core State Standards for Mathematics Appendix A: Designing High School Mathematics Courses Based on the Common Core State Standards

California Preschool Learning Foundations

In 2008, the Calfornia Department of Education released the first of three volumes of Preschool Learning Foundations. The volume includes foundations in early mathematics, which describe what four-year-olds and five-year-olds should typically be able to do mathematically if provided a high-quality preschool experience.

• 2010 Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 1
• 2008 Preschool Learning Foundations, Volume 1

Science

California Standards and Frameworks

California adopted academic content standards in science in 1998. These standards form the foundation for current state assessments and state-adopted curriculum programs in the subject.

• A Look at Kindergarten though Grade Six in California Public Schools
• 2004 Science Framework for California Public Schools
• 1998 Science Content Standards for California Public Schools

National Context - Next Generation Science Standards

Nationally, a committee of the National Research Council released in July 2011 a new framework clarifying the goals of K-12 science instruction for students in the United States. Model content standards in the subject will be developed based on this framework through a process coordinated by Achieve. California is a lead state partner in this process.

• A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas
• Next Generation Science Standards development

Career Technical Education (CTE)

California Standards and Frameworks

California adopted model curriculum standards in CTE in 2005. These standards lay out the state's expectations for learning related to such industries as agriculture and natural resources, energy and utilities, health science and medical technology, information technology, and engineering and design.

• 2007 Career Technical Education Framework for California Public Schools
• 2005 California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards