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Learning Standards Standards

What does a student learn in ?

Connecticut adopted national frameworks early and stuck with them. The state took on the Common Core for math and reading in 2010, then layered the Next Generation Science Standards on top in 2015. Around that core, the state writes its own guidance for arts, world languages, health, and computer science, each one tied to a national professional standard. The result is a K-12 program that leans on shared national benchmarks rather than going it alone.

  • Connecticut State Department of Education — Arts (NCAS-aligned)
  • Connecticut State Department of Education — CTE / Career Ready Practices
  • Connecticut State Department of Education — Connecticut Computer Science Standards
  • Connecticut State Department of Education — Health Education (NHES-aligned)
  • Connecticut State Department of Education — Physical Education (SHAPE-aligned)
  • Connecticut State Department of Education — SEL (CASEL-aligned)
  • Connecticut State Department of Education — World Languages (ACTFL-aligned)
Source: Connecticut Connecticut Core Standards
The shape of K-12
A plain-language read of how the state runs school.
What students learn
Math and reading run on the Common Core from kindergarten through high school, with the usual move into Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II in the upper grades. Science is taught the NGSS way, where students plan investigations and build explanations from evidence rather than memorizing definitions. Social studies follows a state framework built around inquiry, and every student gets arts, world language, and physical education along the way.
How students are measured
The main test is the Smarter Balanced Assessment, which students take each spring in grades 3 through 8 for reading, writing, and math. Science gets its own NGSS test in grades 5, 8, and 11. In 11th grade, every student sits for the SAT School Day during the school day, paid for by the state. A small sample of fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders also take the NAEP for national comparison.
Frameworks adopted, by subject
The standards documents the state writes against in each subject.
Subject Framework Adopted Source
Mathematics
Connecticut Core Standards
2010View
English Language Arts
Connecticut Core Standards
2010View
Science
Connecticut Core Standards
2015View
Social Studies
Connecticut Core Standards
2015View
Computer Science & Digital Fluency
Connecticut State Department of Education — Connecticut Computer Science StandardsK-12 CS Framework-aligned
2016View
Arts: Visual Arts
Connecticut State Department of Education — Arts (NCAS-aligned)NCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Dance
Connecticut State Department of Education — Arts (NCAS-aligned)NCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Media Arts
Connecticut State Department of Education — Arts (NCAS-aligned)NCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Music
Connecticut State Department of Education — Arts (NCAS-aligned)NCAS-aligned
2014View
Arts: Theatre
Connecticut State Department of Education — Arts (NCAS-aligned)NCAS-aligned
2014View
World Languages
Connecticut State Department of Education — World Languages (ACTFL-aligned)ACTFL-aligned
2015View
Physical Education
Connecticut State Department of Education — Physical Education (SHAPE-aligned)SHAPE-aligned
2024View
Health Education
Connecticut State Department of Education — Health Education (NHES-aligned)NHES-aligned
2022View
Career Development & Occupational Studies
Connecticut State Department of Education — CTE / Career Ready PracticesCCTC-aligned
2012View
Social Emotional Learning
Connecticut State Department of Education — SEL (CASEL-aligned)CASEL-aligned
2020View
Assessments
The tests students take across K-12, grouped by purpose.

Other

Tests that do not fit the buckets above.

State Summative

Smarter Balanced Assessment: ELA/Literacy (Grades 3-8)

Connecticut's spring summative test in reading and writing for grades 3 through 8, aligned to the Connecticut Core Standards for ELA.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

Smarter Balanced Assessment: Mathematics (Grades 3-8)

Connecticut's spring summative math test for grades 3 through 8, aligned to the Connecticut Core Standards for Mathematics.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

NGSS Science Assessment (Grade 5)

Computer-based science assessment in grade 5, aligned to the Connecticut Core Science Standards (NGSS).

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

NGSS Science Assessment (Grade 8)

Computer-based science assessment in grade 8, aligned to the Connecticut Core Science Standards (NGSS).

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
State Summative

NGSS Science Assessment (Grade 11)

Computer-based science assessment in grade 11, aligned to the Connecticut Core Science Standards (NGSS).

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
National College Readiness

SAT School Day

Connecticut administers the SAT School Day to all 11th-grade students free of charge as part of the state's accountability system.

When given:
spring
Frequency:
annual
Official source
National Monitoring

NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)

Federally administered sample-based assessment in reading, mathematics, science, and writing. NAEP results inform state-by-state comparisons rather than individual student or school accountability.

When given:
biennial in winter
Frequency:
every two years
Official source
Browse by grade and subject
Pick a cell to see exactly what students learn that year.
Subjects covered
15
Grade levels
14
Standards on file
1,879
Assessments tracked
7
Most recent adoption
2024
Common questions
  • Does this state use Common Core?

    Yes. Reading, writing, and math standards are based on the Common Core, adopted in 2010. Science follows the Next Generation Science Standards, adopted in 2015.

  • What's the spring test, and who has to take it?

    Students in grades 3 through 8 take the Smarter Balanced test in reading, writing, and math each spring. Science is tested in grades 5, 8, and 11. Every 11th grader also takes the SAT School Day for free during the school day.

  • Which subjects beyond reading and math have state standards?

    Science, social studies, computer science, the arts, world languages, physical education, health, career development, and social emotional learning all have state-adopted standards. Some, like SEL and computer science, are newer additions that surprise parents who haven't looked at school in a while.

  • How often do the standards change?

    Each subject runs on its own cycle. Reading and math have stayed largely the same since 2010, science since 2015, and physical education was refreshed most recently in 2024. The state department of education leads each revision, usually with teacher and content-expert input.

  • Where can I see what students are supposed to learn this year?

    Pick a grade and subject on this page to see the specific standards for that year. Each standard shows what students should know and be able to do by the end of the grade.

Sources
Every page link goes back to the state's own document.

Frameworks

Assessments