Update on the Connecticut Common Core Standards

1. Update on the Connecticut Common Core Standards August 29, 2011

2. What we know: CCS were adopted by CSDE July 2010 CSDE has been working for a full year on documents to assist the transition and implementation Crosswalks were completed linking old standards to CCS Previous Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) are no longer in effect or posted on the state website, although they will continue to be assessed on the Generation 4 CMT until 2014

3. What can we expect in the CCS? CCS standards have been grouped into priority and supporting standards CSDE-led teams have created sample units based on Larry Ainsworth's Rigorous Curriculum Design model

4. What does this mean for what we teach? Standards are expected to be mastered at each designated grade level Some content is moved and or dropped from each grade CCS has fewer major standards but expects greater depth and mastery of content; emphasis on deep understanding not just facts or processes

5. Change of paradigm Teachers will need to make real changes in content they cover and their approach to instruction Knowledge of vertical articulation-what comes before and after- will be important so there is less re-teaching and more use of prior knowledge

6. What we don’t know/issues Implications for spiraling curriculum Impact of half day Kindergarten for “getting it all in” What this approach really looks like in practice: will we need time and pd to get our heads around “how do we do this?” Letting go of certain topics: there will be displaced content When/how do we remediate and re-teach to keep students on pace with new grade level expectations