In this article, the author talks about the Common Core State Standards and what they mean to teachers and their students. The Common Core State Standards Initiative provides an opportunity for classroom practitioners across the nation to hone their skills, focus on student learning, and ensure that all the students they serve will be working toward the college and career readiness that is critical to their future success. In 2009, the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers agreed to coordinate a state-led, voluntary effort to develop core academic standards in English language arts and mathematics. One year later, after collaboration with individual teachers, school administrators, experts on human development, feedback from national organizations representing a variety of education stakeholders (including teachers, postsecondary educators, and civil rights groups), and a period of public comment, reviews, and revisions, the final Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were released. To date, 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have formally adopted these voluntary standards, which are often referred to as the "common core." They are designed to identify the most essential skills and knowledge students need, but not how they acquire them.