U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Center for Education and Workforce Caitlin Codella, Director, Policy

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Center for Education and Workforce 501(c)(3) affiliate of the U.S. Chamber Works to ensure that businesses have access—today and tomorrow—to an educated and skilled workforce. Promotes high educational standards and effective workforce training systems so that they are aligned with each other and with today's rigorous business demands.

True or False? For the first time in history, American kids are less likely to graduate from high school than their parents. TRUE

True or False? Almost 50% of high school graduates lack the advanced literacy and math skills they need to succeed in postsecondary education and the workforce. TRUE

True or False? Almost 50% of students entering 4 year colleges and 70% of students entering 2 year colleges are placed in remedial classes. TRUE

True or False? By 2020, 123 million American jobs will be high- skill, high-wage, but only 50 million Americans will be qualified to fill them. TRUE

How do we measure up?

Of 34 OECD Countries, U.S. Ranks 26th in Mathematics

Of 34 OECD Countries, U.S. Ranks 21st in Science

Of 34 OECD Countries, U.S. Ranks 17th in Reading Literacy

PISA Mathematics The graphics below show information about exports from Zedland, a country that uses zeds as its currency. Source: PISA 2003 Assessment; Question ID: M438Q What was the total value (in millions of zeds) of exports from Zedland in 1998?

Percentage of U.S. Students Answering Correctly: OECD Average: 79% United States: 41%

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) NCLB supports standards-based education reform based on the premise that setting high standards and establishing measurable goals can improve individual outcomes in education. The Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills. States must give these assessments to all students at select grade levels in order to receive federal school funding. The Act does not assert a national achievement standard; standards are set by each individual state.

Student Achievement in 4th and 8th Grade Reading

Student Achievement in 4th and 8th Grade Math

Are You Smarter than a 4 th Grader?

Sample NAEP Questions 4th Grade Mathematics Which of these could be measured using a meter stick? A) The length of a swimming pool B) The temperature of the water in a swimming pool C) The weight of the water in a swimming pool D) The number of people in a swimming pool

Sample 4 th grade Wisconsin State Proficiency Question: Which sentence tells a fact, not an opinion? A)Cats are better than dogs. B)Cats climb trees better than dogs. C)Cats are prettier than dogs. D)Cats have nicer fur than dogs.

Sample 4 th Grade Massachusetts’ State Proficiency: Read the excerpt from “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” by Leo Tolstoy. So Pahom was well contented, and everything would have been right if the neighboring peasants would only not have trespassed on his wheat fields and meadows. He appealed to them most civilly, but they still went on: now the herdsmen would let the village cows stray into his meadows, then horses from the night pasture would get among his corn. Pahom turned them out again and again, and forgave their owners, and for a long time he forbore to prosecute anyone. But at last he lost patience and complained to the District Court. What is a fact from this passage? A)Pahom owns a vast amount of land. B)The peasant’s intentions are evil. C)Pahom is a wealthy man. D)Pahom complained to the District Court.

Common Core Standards:

Why Common Standards? Previously, every state had its own set of academic standards and different expectations of student performance. Consistency Common standards can help create more equal access to an excellent education. Equity Students need the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for college and career in our global economy. Opportunity Previous standards were “a mile wide and an inch deep.” These new standards are clear and coherent in order to help students, parents, and teachers understand what is expected. Clarity Common standards create a foundation for districts and states to work collaboratively and achieve economies of scale. Economies of Scale

Common Standards? Common Assessments?

Previous OH Assessments Read the writing prompt below and complete the writing activity: Jump out of bed! Look out the window! It is a perfect weather day! Write a story about a day when the weather seemed perfect.

New Assessments

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Center for Education and Workforce Caitlin A. Codella, Director, Policy