The goal of the Common Core State Standards is to address the academic needs of all students and prepare them for college and the workforce. Implementation guidance and professional training for teachers, particularly for those working with special populations of students, requires thoughtful consideration. While the Common Core allows teachers to diversify instruction and to structure lessons around students' strengths and needs, this effort can also be enhanced through collaboration between general education and special instruction teachers. This brief explores the potential impact of the implementation of Common Core State Standards on students with disabilities, Native American students, and English language learners and gives examples of implementation targeting these populations, followed by recommendations and questions for policymakers to consider.