The term "core standards" refers to a set of fundamental principles or guidelines that serve as the foundation for something. In education, core standards are specific learning goals that define what students should know and be able to do at each grade level in order to graduate from high school prepared for college and career success. These standards provide clear expectations for what students need to learn and ensure consistency across states and schools. They cover subjects such as mathematics, science, English language arts, and history, and are designed to help teachers create engaging and effective lesson plans that challenge students to think critically and apply their knowledge in real-world situations.