Arizona Teachers Are Enthusiastic About the Implementation of the Common Core, Even as They Acknowledge Challenges Ahead

84% of math, English language arts, science and/or social studies teachers in Arizona are enthusiastic about the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in their classroom.

• 83% of math, English language arts, science and/or social studies teachers in Arizona believe the standards will have a positive impact on students’ ability to think critically and use reasoning skills. 17% do not expect an impact either way or are not sure; zero percent of respondents expect a negative impact. Further:

• 81% believe the standards will have a positive impact on students’ ability to effectively present their ideas based on evidence.
• 78% believe the standards will have a positive impact on students’ ability to read and comprehend informational texts.

• At the same time, 77% of math, English language arts, science and/or social studies teachers in Arizona believe implementing the standards is or will be challenging and 74% of Arizona teachers say that the Common Core has required or will require that they make changes to their teaching practice.

As they work to prepare for the new standards, teachers in Arizona say they are participating (or have participated) in many Common Core–related activities, and a majority say many of these activities have been helpful.

• The activities in which Arizona math, English language arts, science and/or social studies teachers have participated include independent research of CCSS (96%), discussing CCSS with other teachers at their school (94%), professional development (93%), using aligned instructional materials and/or tools in their classroom (87%), receiving written materials from their school or district (86%), participation in an alignment/implementation committee (53%) and participation in a “train the trainer” program (43%).

• Among the Arizona teachers who have participated in these activities, the activities most often reported as extremely or very helpful in preparing them to teach the standards include using aligned instructional materials and/or tools in their classroom (72%) and discussing CCSS with other teachers at their school (68%).

Outside of their enthusiasm or preparedness for the Common Core, teachers who teach math, English language arts, science and/or social studies in Arizona report needing a wide range of resources to implement the standards, the most common of which include:

• Additional planning time (76%)
• Quality CCSS-based professional development (75%)
• Guidance and ideas for teaching in an inquiry-based way (74%)

Arizona teachers offer their views on what they need most to help students meet the standards. When asked about the student populations in their classrooms meeting the Common Core State Standards, teachers in Arizona are most concerned about students who are currently working two or more grades below grade level (with 36% expressing concern), followed by special education students (26%) and English Language Learners (19%).

• For these and other students, teachers in Arizona say high-interest (43%) and age-appropriate, leveled instructional materials (40%) are among the top needs to help students meet the standards.