The K-12 Common Core State Standards (CCSS) represent a major advance in standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts. They are grounded in evidence about what it takes for high school graduates to be ready for college and careers and build on the finest state and international standards. The Common Core State Standards offer an unprecedented opportunity for states across the nation to improve upon their education policies and practices, and achieve system-wide reform. This document seeks to identify the key areas that state policymakers will need to consider to implement the new standards with fidelity. The guide is organized by topic with short chapters. It is "not" meant to be an exhaustive review or a checklist of all the issues that states and districts will need to consider as they move from adoption of the CCSS to implementation. Rather, it is meant to be the starting point from which state and district leaders and their allies can organize and begin the necessary discussions around key topics to successfully implement the standards. Individual sections contain footnotes.