LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy discussed the embattled district’s goals for the coming school year Thursday.

The 9 a.m. meeting addressed administrators, board members and school principals, describing a new mission for educating students.

California will become one of the first states in the nation to begin implementing the new rigorous Common Core State Standards, the first-ever national guide outlining what every public school student should know.

“They’re being rolled out in LAUSD classrooms in English, language, arts and math,” Deasy said.

The Standards are designed to sharpen students’ critical thinking skills.

Students will start learning basic algebra and geometry skills as early as kindergarten.

“We’ll begin helping students to think algebraically . . . just like high preforming other countries have been doing,” he added.

Other curriculum changes include more complex essay writing exams instead of multiple choice tests and harder reading assignments.

Educators hope the new guidelines will prepare students to leave the district prepared for college or a career.