Learning Forward has received a $500,000 grant from Sandler Foundation to launch Transforming Professional Learning to Prepare College- and Career-Ready Students: Implementing the Common Core. This two-year initiative will lead a statewide, comprehensive professional learning system that supports educators as they implement Common Core State Standards and new student assessments. Common Core Standards and new assessments are in- tended to prepare all students to be college- and career-ready at the end of their pre-K-12 education and will necessitate dif- ferent learning experiences for students. Because the standards focus on students’ construction of new knowledge and appli- cation of learning in authentic situations, teachers will need to employ instructional strategies that integrate critical and creative thinking, collaboration, problem solving, research and inquiry skills, and presentation skills.