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Common Core and the Declaration of Independence
Did you know that the Declaration of Independence is one of only four required texts listed in the Common Core State Standards?
The remaining 3 are: The Preamble to the Constitution; The Bill of Rights; and President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address.
One of the great things about America is our diversity. Each state across this great nation has its own rich history and unique identity. And that’s exactly why – aside from these four texts – the Common Core does not prescribe what students should read. What the Common Core does ask of students is that they read these four documents and be able to analyze their themes, purposes and literary features.
The Common Core State Standards are a guide of learning goals grade by grade, that states can build upon and customize. That’s why each state that uses the Common Core can create its own curriculum as well as unique lists of what should be required reading.
Beyond these four formative documents, Common Core does not dictate any other texts or literature teachers should be using in the classroom because states, local districts, and teachers know what documents matter most to their students and are relevant to their state’s history and culture.
About the Collaborative for Student Success
At our core, we believe leaders at all levels have a role to play in ensuring success for K-12 students. From ensuring schools and teachers are equipped with the best materials to spotlighting the innovative and bold ways federal recovery dollars are being used to drive needed changes, the Collaborative for Student Success aims to inform and amplify policies making a difference for students and families.
To recover from the most disruptive event in the history of American public schools, states and districts are leveraging unprecedented resources to make sure classrooms are safe for learning, providing students and teachers with the high-quality instructional materials they deserve, and are rethinking how best to measure learning so supports are targeted where they’re needed most.