Welcome to Explaining Common Core to Californians – a collection of framing research, recommendations, and sample communications designed to help leading voices in California’s education sector increase public understanding of the kinds of instruction, assessment, and systemic supports needed to fulfill the potential of Common Core State Standards.

This toolkit, sponsored by the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation, is intended to support communicators in framing the issues that surround Common Core implementation. It includes sample communications, as well as annotations that unpack the framing strategy being illustrated, so that the recommendations can be extended to new communications. When communicating with the public or policymakers, users are encouraged to borrow toolkit language verbatim if desired, or adapt it to their needs—no citation or special permissions are needed in this instance. For other uses of toolkit materials—such as incorporating these materials into other trainings or communications resources—please refer to FrameWorks Institute’s terms of use for guidance on seeking permissions.

For 15 years, FrameWorks Institute research has demonstrated that effective communications can help activate the public’s engagement with complex social issues—such as the education reforms needed to meet the demands of a complex and changing world. This toolkit is based on the findings of the Core Story of Education initiative, a multi-method research project which queried the thinking of over 28,000 Americans and included a substantial sample of Californians. For more on the extensive evidence base that informs the recommendations in this toolkit, visit our website.