Foundations Kit: Common Core State Standards

1. Foundations Kit: Common Core State Standards Statewide roll-out: CESA Statewide sis Group Department of public instruction August, 2010

2. About the Foundations Kit Contents • Phase-by-Phase Roll Out • Partnership Pie Chart • Power Point • Press Release: Wisconsin’s Adoption • Foundations Resource Material • Introduction to the CCSS • Standards-Setting Criteria • Application to Students with Disabilities • Application for ELLs • Q & A • Resources

3. History of Standards-Led Education • 1994: Reauthorization of ESEA “Improving America’s Schools Act” (required states to adopt, adapt, or create standards and assessments) • 1998: Wisconsin adopted Model Academic Standards (18 subject areas) • 2001: NCLB brought accountability for standards-based education to the forefront • 2010: Wisconsin adopts Common Core State Standards

4. Impetus for the Common Core State Standards • Currently, every state has its own set of academic standards, meaning public educated students are learning different content at different rates • All students must be prepared to compete with not only their American peers in the next state, but with students around the world This initiative will potentially affect 43.5 million students which is about 87% of the student population

5. Common Core State Standards Evidence Base • Standards from individual high-performing countries and provinces were used to inform content, structure, and language. Writing teams looked for examples of rigor, coherence, and progression. Mathematics Belgium (Flemish) Canada (Alberta) China Chinese Taipei England Finland Hong Kong India Ireland Japan Korea Singapore • English language arts • Australia • New South Wales • Victoria • Canada • Alberta • British Columbia • Ontario • England • Finland • Hong Kong • Ireland • Singapore

6. Development of Common Core Standards • Joint initiative of: • Supported by: • Achieve • ACT • College Board

7. Focus on the Big Picture Principles for Learning:A Foundation for Transforming K-12 Education • Being literate is at the heart of learning in every subject area. • Learning is a social act. • Learning about learning establishes a habit of inquiry important in life-long learning. • Assessing progress is part of learning. • Learning includes turning information into knowledge using multiple media. • Learning occurs in a global context. (ACTE, CoSN, NCSS, NCTE, NCTM, NSTA)

8. What’s the Big Deal? • The CCSS initiative is a “sea change” in education for teaching and learning! • The CCSS mandates the student learning outcomes for every grade level. • The CCSS force a common language. Your staff will begin using this language. • Students will be tested and instructional effectiveness will be measured based on CCSS. • Federal funding is tied to CCSS adoption, implementation, and accountability. • English Language Arts and Mathematics CCSS are just the beginning. . .more subject area standards are being developed.

9. Essential Questions • What are the Common Core State Standards? • Why are Common Core State Standards good for stakeholders? • How will the Common Core State Standards impact you? • How will the Common Core State Standards be rolled out in Wisconsin?

10. What are the Common Core Standards? “Common Core Standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.” (NGA & CCSSO, 2010) http://www.corestandards.org/

11. Criteria Used to Develop CCSS • Fewer, clearer, higher • Aligned with college and work expectations • Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher order skills • Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards • Informed by top performing countries • Evidenced and/or researched-based • Realistic and practical for the classroom • Consistent across all states

12. Why are common core state standards good for stakeholders: students? • College & Career Focus. It will help prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and careers • Consistent. Expectations will be consistent for all kids and not dependent on a students zip code • Mobility. It will help students with transitions between states • Student Ownership. Clearer standards will help students understand what is expected of them and allow for more self-directed learning by students

13. Why are common core state standards good for stakeholders: parents? • Clarity. Helps parents understand exactly what students need to know and be able to do • Support. Helps parents support their children and educators by making expectations clear and goals high • Equity. Provides equal access to a high quality education • Involvement. Provides opportunities to meaningfully engage parents

14. Why are common core state standards good for stakeholders: educators? • Training. Allows for more focused pre-service and professional development • Valid Assessments. Assures that what is taught is aligned with assessments including formative, summative, and benchmarking • Own the “How”. Provides the opportunity for instructors to tailor curriculum and teaching methods • Depth. Informs the development of a curriculum that promotes deep understanding for all children

15. Why are common core state standards good for stakeholders: states and districts? • Global. Allows states to align curricula to internationally benchmarked standards • Best Practices. Allows states and districts to ensure professional development for educators is based on best practices • Competition. Creates the opportunity for America to compete for high-wage, high skill jobs in a knowledge-based economy • State Assessment. Allows for the development of a “Next Generation” state assessment • Policies. Provides the opportunity to compare and evaluate policies that artifact students achievement across states and districts

16. What about our “old” state standards? R.I.P.

17. How will the Common Core State Standards impact you? • Think-pair-share

18. A Vision for Implementation 18

20. Next Steps • Take a few minutes to peruse the Foundations Kit. • Talk with your colleagues. • Let us know … What kind of support do you need to help with this transition?