Despite the need for writing competence in and out of school, writing has been deemed the neglected "R" in educational practice. Moreover, many students do not meet expected standards of writing performance. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS), adopted by 45 states, provides an opportunity to change the state of writing instruction on a national scale. This study evaluated the content coverage of the CCSS for writing and language (CCSS-WL). Results indicated that CCSS-WL cover some aspects of writing well, but others deemed important in research not well or not at all. Evidenced-based practices for improving student writing performance to supplement the CCSS-WL are provided. It is hoped that the appropriate curricular and instructional changes targeted toward the content of the CCSS-WL and effective evidence-based instructional practices can elevate writing from the neglected "R" in this time of Common Core.