Transitioning to the Common Core

1. Transitioning to the Common Core CPSD Common Core Parent Meeting

2. Purpose of State Board adoption of Common Core State Standards: • To ensure ALL students are college and career ready when they leave our K-12 system • To propel change in instructional practices in order to improve student performance

3. CC State Standards ARE… • State-led initiative • Voluntary in adoption with ability to add additional standards • Provide a clear, consistent statewide understanding of what students should know and be able to do

4. Why is This Important for Students, Teachers, and Parents? • Prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and work • Ensures consistent expectations regardless of a student’s zip code • Provides educators, parents, and students with clear, focused guideposts

5. What is the CCSS Initiative? • An initiative of the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) • A significant and historic opportunity for states collectively to develop and adopt a core set of academic standards in Mathematics and English/Language Arts

6. Why is this initiative important? • Provides consistency across states • Allows for equal access • Prepares students to compete globally • Allows for more focused professional development • Allows for the development of a common assessment • Provides the opportunity to compare and evaluate policies that affect student achievement across states

7. What are the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)? • Fewer, clearer, and higher • Aligned with college and work expectations • Rigorous content requiring higher-order thinking and application of knowledge • Internationally benchmarked • Evidence and/or research-based

8. Shift from “What’s Taught” to “What Students Need to Be Able to Do” To succeed in 21st century college and careers, students need to be able to: Solve problems Manage themselves Adapt to change Analyze/conceptualize Reflect on/improve performance Communicate Work in teams Create/innovate/critique Engage in learning throughout life

9. What is not included in the CCSS? • How teachers should teach • All that can or should be taught • Intervention strategies to support students • The full range of support appropriate for English Language Learners and for students with special needs • Textbooks to help with implementation

10. What’s in the Standards?

11. What is differentabout the Common Core State Standards? English Language Arts Mathematics

12. English Language Arts Standards • Organized in a K-12 structure • Outlines three types of writing, beginning in Kindergarten • Addition of writing with argumentation • K-12 emphasis on informational text • Deep integration of reading and writing • Greater emphasis on grammar

13. ELA (cont.) • Greater emphasis on digital reading, writing, multi-media production • Greater attention to comprehension • Pervasive demand for higher-order thinking and production • Specific standards for speaking and listening • Standards for literacy in science, social studies, and instructional technology

14. English/Language Arts STANDARDS

15. ELA Key Advances Reading • Balance of literature and informational texts • Text complexity Writing • Emphasis on argument and informative/explanatory writing • Writing about sources Standards for reading and writing in history/ social studies, science, and technical subjects • Complement rather than replace content standards in those subjects • Responsibility of teachers in those subjects

16. Applications • Applications for English language learners • Learn academic content while learning English. English proficiency is not a prerequisite to students achieving the goals laid out in the standards. • Application for students with disabilities • “Students with disabilities are a heterogeneous group with one common characteristic: the presence of disabling conditions that significantly hinder their abilities to benefit from general education.” (IDEA 34 CFR §300.39, 2004) Therefore, how these high standards are taught and assessed is of the utmost importance in reaching this diverse group of students. “Promoting a culture of high expectations for all students is a fundamental goal of the Common Core State Standards.”

17. MATHEMATICS STANDARDS

18. Mathematics Standards • Provides a framework for more robust mathematics instruction deepening content in a progressive manner • Includes current CORE mathematics content standards • Provides clearly defined performance standards of what students should know and be able to do • Demands deeper knowledge of mathematics content and instruction for elementary teachers • Integrates concepts of algebra, geometry and statistics into secondary coursework to provide relevant application • Aligns with international approaches to mathematics enabling our students to compete in a global economy

19. Design and Organization Standards for Mathematical Practice • Carry across all grade levels • Describe habits of mind of a mathematically expert student Standards for Mathematical Content • K-8 standards presented by grade level • High school standards presented by conceptual theme Appendix • Designing high school math courses based on the Common Core State Standards

20. Math Key Advances • Focus in early grades on number (arithmetic and operations) to build a solid foundation in math • Evened out pace across the grades • Focus on using math and solving complex problems, similar to what would see in the real world in high school • Emphasis on problem-solving and communication

21. Changes with State Testing….how will these changes look?

22. How will students be assessed on the new standards? • Students will be assessed on an ongoing basis as they proceed through grades and courses. • Multiple Choice-based Assessments • Performance-based Assessments • Computer-based Assessments • These new assessments will provide a much more comprehensive assessment of student achievement.

23. Sample Assessment Items Grade 7 Part A Question: Below are three claims that one could make based on the article “Earhart’s Final Resting Place Believed Found.” Highlight the claim that is supported by the most relevant and sufficient evidence within “Earhart’s Final Resting Place Believed Found.” Part B: Click on two facts within the article that best provide evidence to support the claim selected in Part A.

24. Sample Assessment Items • SMOOTHIE BOX Grade 3 • Mrs. Grundy is planning to package and sell her special home made smoothies. • These pictures show the top and side views of the type of bottle she plans to use. They are drawn full size. • Design a net for a box that will hold twelve bottles. The box should be a tight fit, so the bottles will not rattle. • Label your net to show all the measurements you need.

25. When can we expect full implementation in every classroom? • K-2 Teachers began implementation in 2011-2012 • 3-8 Teachers will begin implementation in 2012-2013. • 9-12 Teachers will begin implementation in 2013-2014. • Our goal is to have full implementation of the new standards by the 2013–2014 school year. • Initial Assessments on the Common Core Standards will take place in 2014-2015!

26. What can parents do to help their children achieve at these higher levels?

27. Here are some important suggestions: • Stay in touch with your children’s teacher and monitor your children’s school performance. Let your children know school work is important to you and that you expect them to do their best. • Be ready to support your children as assignments become more difficult to read and more challenging to write. Be patient. Provide the time and location and resources needed to study at home. • There is no substitute for reading. Reading a variety of books increases vocabulary, comprehension, general knowledge of the world, and love of learning. The more you read, the better reader you are! From the time your children are young, provide regular, structured time for reading. Fill your home with opportunities to read. Show them that you are a reader, too.

28. Resources • www.corestandards.org • www.mde.k12.ms.us/curriculum-and-instruction/curriculum-and-instruction-other-links/common-core-state-standards • www.pta.org • www.teachingchannel.org • www.cgcs.org/Page/328 • www.parcconline.org/achieving-common-core