Transforming Education in Kentucky

1. Transforming Education in Kentucky Participation and adoption of the common core standards Initiative Felicia Cumings Smith Associate Commissioner Michael Miller Director of Curriculum Kentucky Department of Education

2. Why Now? • Kentucky, like other states, has confronted the disparities evident in performance levels at all levels in the educational system. • Improving student learning at levels needed to meet postsecondary expectations for work and training. • Economic growth in KY is contingent on preparing students to be competitive in the global economy. • Businesses are not attracted to KY because the workforce is perceived to be unprepared.

3. Transforming Education in Kentucky Senate Bill 1 (r.s. 2009) SB 1(2009) is a significant piece of education legislation that revises the assessment and accountability system for K-12 education in Kentucky. It calls for a revision of standards to be based on national and international benchmarks in order to increase the rigor of K-12 education and increase the number of student that are college ready, including a directive for CPE and KDE to collaborate throughout this process.

4. Specific Components of SB1 • Revised content standards • New assessment and accountability system – Balanced Assessment System • Intensive professional development • College and Career Readiness Initiatives • Alignment and collaboration with Council on Post Secondary (colleges and universities)

5. Rationale for Participation: Common Core Standards and Common Assessment Initiatives • Consortium allows KY to align expectations for learning with other states. • Common Core Standards Initiative allowed KY to rely on the expertise of content experts from across the country in the development phase of the standards and reduce costs associated with standards development. • Common Assessments Initiative allows KY to participate in the development of the types of assessments fully aligned to the common core standards. This alignment of standards with a balanced assessment system will enhance instruction and practice at the local level. • Common Assessments initiative also allows KY to reduce costs associated with the development of assessments.

6. Outline of the Process and Feedback Loops

7. Ensuring Stakeholder Support and Input • General Assembly • Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) • Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) • Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) • Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) • Legislative Research Commission (LRC) • Postsecondary chief academic officers (CAO) • Postsecondary institution content & college of education faculty • Public P-12 educators • Collaborative Center for Literacy Development (CCLD) • Kentucky Mathematics Center (KCM) • Kentucky Mathematics Committee • Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) • Educational consortia.

8. State-led, Standards InitiativeTimeline of Activities • CCSSO release of Common Core Standards – September 21 • Content Work groups convene – Kickoff Meeting • Mathematics work group – September 22nd • Language Arts work group – September 23rd • Overview of the College Readiness Standards (exiting standards for high school students) • Gather additional feedback from broader stakeholder group – October • State Feedback to CCSSO • CCSSO release K-12 grade-by-grade content standards – November 10 • Reconvene content work groups – November 16 & 17, 2009 • State Feedback to CCSSO

9. CCSSO release of next draft of K-12 grade-by-grade Common Core Standards – January 13 • State Feedback to CCSSO • Reconvened content work groups– Math – January 27; E/LA – January 28, 2010 • February 10 adoption of standards Joint Resolution Signed by KBE/EPSB/CPE • State feedback in conference call with CCSSO • Gathered additional feedback from P-20 educators • State feedback submitted to CCSSO

10. Policy Implications for Adoption and Implementation of Common Core Standards • State legislators need to be engaged throughout the process. • State Boards of Education must be able to examine their existing regulations to ensure success at the district and school levels. • Use of a balanced assessment system where a process for formative assessment is more valued. • Ensure use of aligned instructional resources and materials • Districts and schools will need to re-examine their systems for interventions available for students to ensure success. • Ensure teachers have adequate time for professional growth and learning opportunities.

11. Kentucky’s Adoption Process • February 10th : Historic Event – KBE/EPSB/CPE signed a joint resolution that each agency would implement the Common Core Standards • This action formalized KY’s agreement to integrate the standards into the state’s education system • The Kentucky Board of Education has preliminarily adopted the standards and await the final version of the standards to move through the regulatory process.

12. Anticipated Challenges or Barriers • Communicating the expectations to all stakeholders (i.e., parents, community, educators P-20) • Creating learning communities among teachers and students within classrooms and schools – professional growth and learning opportunities will be the key for successful implementation • Ensuring a learner-centered environment is established in every school. Student learning is the focus. High engagement among the teacher-student-content will ensure learning occurs.

13. Anticipated Challenges or Barriers • Collecting data on student performance to identify where each student is in relation to learning and performance goals • Implementing a strong, coherent system for wrap-around supports/interventions for students – Response to Intervention. • Tracking and monitoring progress of individual students is essential. • Maintaining a open line of communication ensuring transparency with all stakeholders.