The Role of Administrators: From NECAP to the Common Core and New Assessments

1. The Role of Administrators: From NECAP to the Common Core and New Assessments January 21, 2011

2. From NECAP to the Next Generation Assessment Systems • Here’s What . . . • The State Board of Education has adopted the Common Core State Standards (July 2010) • So what . . . • Implications and Impact in NH • CCSS & Assessment • Now what . . . • Implementation Timeline • Curricular transition and implementation

3. Here’s What: The State Board Adopted the CCSS • Founding organizations • National Governors Association • Council of Chief State School Officers (Commissioners) • Development Process • Writing Team – Feedback Groups - Validation Teams • Duration – June 2009 to June 2010 • Product • Standards in Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, and Language across content areas • Standards for Mathematics • Appendix documents for both

4. Key Features:English/Language Arts • Not just for ELA teachers- an integrated model • Across all content areas • Begins with 10 College and Career Ready Anchor Standards • Format mirrors NH • Organized K-5 and 6-12 • Brings the focus back to speaking, listening, and viewing • Appendix documents (A, B, C)

5. Overview of Reading Strand Progressive development of reading comprehension; students gain more from what they read Emphasize the importance of grade-level texts that are of appropriate difficulty and are increasingly sophisticated • Standards for Reading Foundational Skills (K-5) • Reading Standards for Literature (K-12) • Reading Standards for Informational Text (K-12) • Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies (6-12) • Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects (6-12)

6. Overview of Writing Strand • Expect students to compose arguments and opinions, informative/explanatory pieces, and narrative texts • Focus on the use of reason and evidence to substantiate an argument or claim • Emphasize ability to conduct research – short projects and sustained inquiry • Require students to incorporate technology as they create, refine, and collaborate on writing • Include student writing samples that illustrate the criteria required to meet the standards (See Appendix C for writing samples)

7. Overview of Speaking and Listening and Language Strands Speaking and Listening • Focus on speaking and listening in a range of settings, both formal and informal – academic, small-group, whole-class discussions • Emphasize effective communication practices • Require interpretation and analysis of message as presented through oral, visual, or multimodal formats Language • Include conventions for writing and speaking (See Appendix A) • Highlight the importance of vocabulary acquisition through a mix of conversation, direct instruction, and reading • To be addressed in context of reading, writing, speaking and listening Media and Technology are integrated throughout the standards.

8. Overview of Standards for History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects • Reading Standards for History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects • Knowledge of domain-specific vocabulary • Analyze, evaluate, and differentiate primary and secondary sources • Synthesize quantitative and technical information, including facts presented in maps, timelines, flowcharts, or diagrams • Writing Standards for History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects • Write arguments on discipline-specific content and informative/explanatory texts • Use of data, evidence, and reason to support arguments and claims • Use of domain-specific vocabulary

9. Key Features: Mathematics • Learning progressions that follow how students learn concepts • Understanding the mathematics AND procedural skill are equally important • “processes and proficiencies” from the NCTM process standards & Adding It Up • 8 mathematical practices are the same throughout the grades • Standards for content vary by grade • Mastery of standards through grade 7 prepares students for algebra in grade 8 • Appendix A: Model Pathways for HS Courses

10. K-8 Math: Each grade includes an overview of cross-cutting themes and critical areas of study

11. Format of K-8 Mathematics StandardsDomains:overarching ideas that connect topics across the gradesClusters:illustrate progression of increasing complexity from grade to grade Standards:define what students should know and be able to do at each grade level

12. Overview of High School Mathematics Standards The high school mathematics standards: • Call on students to practice applying mathematical ways of thinking to real world issues and challenges • Require students to develop a depth of understanding and ability to apply mathematics to novel situations, as college students and employees regularly are called to do • Emphasize mathematical modeling, the use of mathematics and statistics to analyze empirical situations, understand them better, and improve decisions • Identify the mathematics that all students should study in order to be college and career ready.

13. Format of High School Mathematics Standards Each content category includes an overview of the content found within it

14. Model Course Pathways for Mathematics Courses in higher level mathematics: Precalculus, Calculus (upon completion of Precalculus), Advanced Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Advanced Quantitative Reasoning, or courses designed for career technical programs of study. MathematicsIII Algebra II Geometry Mathematics II Algebra I Mathematics I Traditional Pathway Typical n U.S. Integrated Pathway Typical outside of U.S. .

15. So what?Implications and Impact in NH • Similarities to NH • In ELA – text complexity, format, informational text, across content areas • In Math – Quantitative Literacy, algebra throughout, explanation of format • Differences • In ELA – more specific at K-2, grammar emphasis, more media literacy • In Math – more procedural, less constructivist

16. So what?CCSS and Assessment • Transition • Over the next five years: NECAP based on current Frameworks and GLEs through 2013-14 • Assessment consortia need to define performance standards • Alignment • Process began this summer to look at gaps and matches and grade differentials • Focus groups held to review analysis and get input on implementation plans • NH Team working with 40+ other states to plan implementation • Implementation • TAKE IT SLOW! • NECAP in place for three more administrations • Toolkit for administrators & curriculum leaders in development – will post February 1

17. Now what?Transition Timeline 2010 – 2011 NECAP as usual • Begin review of standards – Use Toolkit • NECAP Management Team releases plan to principals in April 2011 2011 – 2012 NECAP as usual 2012 – 2013 NECAP (with transitional items) 2013 –2014 final NECAP (best possible transitional test) 2014 - 2015 no fall NECAP test • NECAP Science remains • New assessments based on CCSS

18. Where to Begin?http://www.education.nh.gov/spotlight/k12_ccss.htm • Read: the Introduction sections of both content areas • Read: Application of CCSS for ELLs • Read: Application to Students with Special Needs • In ELA: Start with Appendix A (the research , explanation of text complexity, distribution of emphasis, and foundational skills) • In Math: be sure Mathematical Practices are in place