The Parent’s Guide to The Common Core and PARCC Assessment

1. The Parent’s Guide to The Common Core and PARCC Assessment Morris school district Spring 2014

2. What is the Common Core? Three-Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State Standards

3. Common Core Standards Common Core State Standards (CCCS) provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn to be college and career ready. The PARCC Assessments measure student progress toward standards. In June 2010, the New Jersey State Board of Education (NJBOE) and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) adopted the CCCS. These Educational standards in Math and English Language Arts were developed nationally in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.

4. Common Core Standards • The Common Core Standards • Are aligned with college and work expectations; • Are clear, understandable, and consistent; • Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills; • Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards; and, • Are evidence based.

5. 46 States and DC Have Adopted the Common Core Standards

6. How Will The Standards Be Different? Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order thinking skills Provide performance-based collaborative activities and assessments Integrate literacy across content areas including Science and Social Studies Place stronger emphasis on informational text, research, and media skills

7. Instructional Shifts in ELA • 6 Shifts in ELA • Read as much nonfiction as fiction • Learn about the world by reading • Read more challenging material closely • Discuss reading using evidence • Write non-fiction using evidence • Increase academic vocabulary

8. Instructional Shifts in Math • 6 Shifts in Mathematics • Focus: Learn more about fewer, key topics • Coherence: Build skills within and across grades • Fluency: Develop speed and accuracy • Deep Understanding: Really know it, really do it • Application of Concepts: Use them in the real world • Dual Intensity: Practice/Understand-Think fast & solve problems

9. ELA Shift 1:Read as Much Non-Fiction as Fiction

10. ELA Shift 2:Learn About the World by Reading

11. ELA Shift 3:Read More Complex Material Carefully

12. ELA Shift 4:Discuss Reading Using Evidence

13. ELA Shift 5:Discuss Reading Using Evidence

14. ELA Shift 6:Academic Vocabulary

15. Mathematics Shift 1:Focus: Learn More About Less

16. Mathematics Shift 2:Coherence: Skills Across Grades

17. Mathematics Shift 3:Fluency: Speed and Accuracy

18. Mathematics Shift 4:Deep Understanding: Know It/Do It!

19. Mathematics Shift 5:Application of Concepts: Real World

20. Mathematics Shift 6:Dual Intensity: Practice & Understand/Think Fast & Solve

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

22. PARCC Assessments What is PARCC? What will it look like? How will it be different from NJASK? When will PARCC assessments be administered?

23. PARCC Assessments The Partnership for Assessments of College and Careers (PARCC) is a group of 19 states working together to develop a common set of computer-based K-12 assessments in English Language Arts/Literacy and Math linked to the new, more rigorous Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

24. Why New Assessments Now? • Current state assessments were not designed to: • Assess and signal whether students are on track for success in college or careers • Produce timely, actionable data for students, teachers and parents • Test key skills, such as critical thinking and ability to problem solve

25. PARCC Priorities Determine whether students are college and career ready or on track Connect to the Common Core Standards Measure the full range of student performance, including that of high and low achieving students Provide educators data throughout the year to inform instruction Create innovative 21st Century, technology-based assessments Be affordable and sustainable

26. How Will PARCC Be Different Students: Will know if they are on track to graduate ready for college/careers Teachers: Will have earlier access to data to plan for learning and instruction for the following year Parents: Will have clear and timely information about student progress States: Will have valid results that are comparable across borders

27. How Will PARCC Be Different • For Teachers and Schools: • Computer-based testing will boost student engagement and scores • More efficient than pencil-paper • Timely data during the year will aid instruction, professional development • Tests will assess the full range of student performance • Tests will measure student growth at all levels as well as measuring proficiency

28. PARCC Assessments • Beginning in 2014-2015, PARCC Assessments will replace NJASK in grades 3-8. At the high school level, End of Course exams will be introduced for English 9, 10, 11 and Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2. • PARCC Assessments are comprised of two sections: • Performance Based Assessment (PBA) • End of Year Assessment (EQY)

29. Two Required AssessmentsYield Overall Score Beginning of School Year End of School Year Flexible administration Performance-Based Assessment DiagnosticAssessment Mid-Year Assessment End-of-Year Assessment Speaking and Listening Assessment Key: Optional Required

30. PARCC Assessments Teachers, students, parents, and others can engage with the sample items using computer-based tools such as drag-and-drop, multiple select, text highlighting, and an equation builder. PARCC has also released online tutorials that demonstrate how students will navigate the test, how to use the computer-based tools, and features that make the test more accessible for all students, including those with disabilities and English learners. Sample Sets

31. In the Morris School District… • Are we prepared for PARCC? • Full Implementation of CCSS for 2013-14 • Focus on informational text (non-fiction), citing text, and critical analysis in ELA • Focus on fact fluency and problem solving in Mathematics

32. In the Morris School District… • What about the technology needs that are required for computer-based testing? • Technology specifications for computer-based testing was sent to districts two-years ago. • Recent upgrades to our network systems and the additional purchasing of equipment has put MSD “ahead of the curve” in the area of PARCC preparedness. • Increased focus on technology skills such as typing, “click & drag”, and utilizing multiple windows has been a priority at each school.

33. Questions?

34. Resources and References www.corestandards.org www.achievethecore.org www.PARCConline.org www.morrisschooldistrict.org