Alaska’s Proposed English Language Arts and Mathematics Standards

1. Alaska’s Proposed English Language Arts and Mathematics Standards • Department of Education & Early Development Public Comment Period January – May 12, 2012

2. History of Standards • 1990s: Alaska standards in reading, writing, and mathematics were developed by age spans • 2004: Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) in reading, writing, and mathematics were developed to further define standards at each grade level (grades 3 – 10) • 2006: Grade Level Expectations were expanded to include kindergarten through second grade

3. What do we know about Alaska’s Grade Level Expectations?

4. February - March 2011, Alaskan educators reviewed and compared the Alaska’s Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) and other common national standards. We know: • the GLEs are over six years old. • the GLEs do not extend beyond grade 10. • the GLEs are broad and open to teacher interpretation. • the GLEs are lower in rigor than other standards. • the GLEs are a blueprint for assessment.

5. Alaska stakeholders supported the need for new standards. How was the process completed?

6. June – November 2011, Alaska educators along with national experts shared their knowledge and assisted with the revision to create the proposed standards. The proposed Alaska standards: • align with college and work readiness. • include rigorous content. • build upon strength and lessons of the GLEs. • outline instructional expectations for grades K-12. • equal in rigor to national common standards. • relate to real world application.

7. Alaska Stakeholders • What was the representation of the stakeholders? • Classroom teachers in reading, writing, and mathematics –kindergarten through high school • University instructors representing multiple content areas • Career and technical education instructors • Alaska industry and business representatives • District administrators • Educators representing students with disabilities, English language learners, economically disadvantaged, and ethnic groups

8. 8% Stakeholder Demographics by Attendance 5% 17% 27% 11% 19% 12% 1% unknown

9. Stakeholder DemographicEducational Emphasis

10. What evidence suggests Alaska’s students need a higher learning standard?

11. National Competitiveness • The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the common measurement of student achievement • NAEP was created in 1969; the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandated state participation in NAEP reading and math every other year • Alaska has NAEP data for 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011 for grades 4 and 8 in reading and math

12. NAEP – Reading Grade 4

13. NAEP –Reading Grade 8

14. NAEP - Mathematics Grade 4

15. NAEP - Mathematics Grade 8

16. International Competitiveness • The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international study which began in the year 2000. • PISA aims to evaluate education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students in participating countries/economies. • Since the year 2000 over 70 countries and economies have participated in PISA.

20. What makes the proposed English Language Arts Standards different? What tools will they provide so Alaska graduates can be nationally and globally competitive?

21. English Language Arts The proposed ELA standards • address kindergarten - 12 grade. • increase text complexity within the Reading Standards. • connect Reading and Writing Standards. • designate Writing and Language Standards. • provide speaking and listening criteria.

22. New Reading Standards Increased complexity through reading a diverse array of classic, contemporary, and Alaskan-based literature as well as challenging informational texts. Students are expected to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspective.

23. New Writing Standards • Write Using a Variety of FormsStructures and Conventions • Revision • Cite Resources • Use Resources • Text types and Purposes • Production and Distribution of Writing • Research to Build and Present Knowledge • Range of Writing • New Standards • K-12 • Grade Level Expectations • K-10 Research skills are predominantly in the writing strand since a written analysis and presentation of findings are so often critical to communicate information. Opinion writing, a basic form of argument, extends down into the earliest grades unlike the GLEs.

24. New Language Standards • Conventions of standard English • Knowledge of Language • Vocabulary Acquisition • New Standards • K-12 The Language Standards provide opportunities for students to develop their vocabularies through a mix of conversations, direct instruction, and reading. The standards emphasize word meanings, nuances of words, and steadily expand the repertoire of words and phrases.

25. New Speaking and Listening Standards An important focus of the Speaking and Listening Standards is academic discussion in one-on-one, small-group, and whole-class settings.

26. What makes the proposed Mathematics Standards different? What tools will they provide so Alaska graduates can be nationally and globally competitive?

27. Mathematics Standards The proposed math standards • address kindergarten – grade 12. • focus critical areas identified in grades K-8. • provide coherence – progression of topics across grades allowing for higher level math earlier. • establish increased rigor - increased through use of the Standards for Mathematical Practice. • present by conceptual categories or domains instead of courses or grade levels in high school.

28. New Mathematics Standards Focus is on Number in kindergarten – grade 5. Specific changes from GLEs: addition and subtraction in grade 1; multiplication and division in grade 3.

29. New Mathematics Standards Coherent alignment prevails in the upper grades. Expression & Equations and Functions will include more algebraic concepts. Measurement is not a domain in middle school.

30. New Mathematics Standards • The earlier progression of topics in K-8 allows for higher level math in high school. The high school standards are organized in “Conceptual Categories” or domains and not courses. • Modeling is used throughout the standards to increase application to real world problems. Some standards are indicated as higher math content and do not apply to all students.

31. Standards for Mathematical Practice • Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them • Reason abstractly and quantitatively • Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others • Model with mathematics • Use appropriate tools strategically • Attend to precision • Look for and make use of structure • Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

32. Tools for Alaska’s Graduates • Increased text complexity will bridge the gap between high school and college/work readiness. • Connections between writing and reading will strengthen research skills. • Speaking and listening standards promote collaboration and clear communication. • Rigorous math content will have application to real world problems. • In-depth analysis of mathematical and logical arguments will increase critical thinking skills.

33. Relevancy The new proposed standards align with the uniqueness of Alaska. Combined with the Cultural Standards and local educators, relevant learning experiences will continue. • Same relevancy as the GLEs • Allow for relevancy at a greater level The proposed standards establish a strong foundation of knowledge and skills all students need for success after graduation. It is up to schools and teachers to decide how to put the standards into practice and incorporate other state standards, including the cultural standards.

34. Timeline

35. Support for Districts • EED Website provides information and updated weekly http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/assessment/GLEHome.html • Frequently asked questions have been created for distribution http://www.eed.state.ak.us/standfaqs.html • Webinars have been scheduled for an in-depth review of the proposed standards (dates are posted on the website) • Publications for parents, teachers, and the community will be available. • Curriculum and Alignment Institute will support districts with the transition of curriculum.

36. Public Comment http://www.eed.state.ak.us/regs/

37. What lies ahead for Alaska’s high school graduates? What can we imagine for them?

38. Department Contacts • Assessment Administrator: Janet Valentour, janet.valentour@alaska.gov • Information Officer: Eric Fry, eric.fry@alaska.gov • Literacy Specialist: Karen Melin, karen.melin@alaska.gov • Mathematics Content Specialist: Cecilia Miller, cecilia.miller@alaska.gov • NAEP Coordinator: Jeanne Foy, jeanne.foy@alaska.gov