Additionally, with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Council continues to collaborate with both partner and national organizations to develop and disseminate a compilation of tools and supporting professional development opportunities that will facilitate the successful implementation of the Common Core State Standards and College and Career Readiness (CCR) standards.  The K-12 grade-specific standards in reading, writing, speaking, listening and language define end-of-year expectations that are relevant, rigorous, and attainable for all students.