Book excerpt: REA's PARCC Assessments: ELA Literacy - Grades 6-8 Study Guide Take Control of the Common Core with REA's New Study Guide! The educational landscape is changing and REA is at the forefront of the new PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) assessments that millions of students will soon face. This targeted study guide is designed for teachers and students in PARCC states, and is fully-aligned with the Common Core standards. Covers Must-Know PARCC ELA Topics: Our PARCC Assessments: English Language Arts/ Literacy Study Guide covers all the must-know PARCC ELA Grade 6-8 material. Each chapter includes step-by-step instruction and practice for every topic tested on the PARCC English Language Arts/Literacy exam: interactive reading, literary analysis, narrative, and research simulation tasks. Written in an-easy-to-understand style, the book also offers step-by-step procedures and tips on writing great essays. Written by an Expert: Our author is a curriculum expert and former English teacher who has studied the format and content of the PARCC standards and the ELA exams. Each lesson is based on actual PARCC ELA guidelines and follows the Common Core standards. A Handy Guide for Teachers: This book brings the common core down to the classroom level, deciphering what it all means to the way students are taught. Our author gives teachers practical guidance on how the ELA/Literary assessment should shape teaching methods and lesson plans. Easy-to-understand explanations of PARCC standards take the confusion out of the PARCC ELA exams. This study guide is a must-have for students and teachers who are facing the PARCC and the new Common Core State Standards! What Are the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)? The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The standards provide teachers and parents with an understanding of what students are expected to learn. Consistent standards provide appropriate benchmarks for all students, regardless of where they live. These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education so they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.