Common Core State Standards: What Parents Need to Know

Presentation Overview

Students are more likely to succeed if parents are involved!

Michigan’s Commitment to Closing the Expectations Gap In 2006, Michigan aligned its high school academic standards in mathematics and English with college- and career-ready expectations. In 2006, Michigan adopted college- and career-ready graduation requirements – the Michigan Merit Curriculum – for all students. These requirements first took effect for the Class Michigan requires all students to take the ACT, along with sections of WorkKeys and state-developed tests, as part of its high school assessment system, the Michigan Merit Exam. Michigan adopted the Common Core State Standards in June Michigan is a Governing State in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), a consortium of states working to develop a common assessment system using Race to the Top Common Assessment funds. Michigan is a Lead State Partner in the development of the Next Generation Science Standards.

–The Economic Imperative: A high school diploma is no longer enough; now, nearly every good job requires some education beyond high school and all students need to be academically prepared to compete for good jobs in the global economy. –The Equity Imperative: Far too many students drop out or graduate from high school unprepared for success. Students in minority groups drop out and fail to attain postsecondary credentials at much higher rates than their counterparts. –The Expectations Imperative: The bar has been set too low for too long, keeping students from reaching their full potential, closing doors and limiting their post-high school options and opportunities. Current Conditions

 I n 1950, 60% of jobs were classified as unskilled, attainable by young people with high school diplomas or less. Today, 20% of jobs are considered to be unskilled.  One result: The demand for middle- and high-skilled workers is outpacing the state’s supply of workers educated and experienced at that level. 80% of Michigan’s jobs are middle or high skills (jobs that require some postsecondary education or training). Yet only 36% of Michigan’s adults have some postsecondary degree (associate’s or higher). National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, analysis of 2009 American Community Survey.

The Value of Education Source: Carnevale, Anthony P. et al. (June 2010). Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce. ww9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/FullReport.pdf

“1 in 5 high school students failed to qualify for enlistment in the Army based on their Armed Forces Qualification Test score. Students of color were more likely to fail the test.” s/ASVAB_4.pdf

9 Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2011). Current Population Survey. Figures are based on the total persons in the civilian labor force. Personal Benefits: Higher Earnings and Rates of Employment Michigan Statistics: Total Unemployment: 11%, Mean Income: $30,561

Too Many Students Remain Off Track to Success: Of Every th Graders in Michigan… 11 Source: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (2008). Student Pipeline - Transition and Completion Rates from 9th Grade to College.

Source: ACT (2012). College Readiness Benchmark Attainment by State. Enrollment in College Does NOT Equal College Readiness in Michigan

“More than a third of incoming college students in Michigan take high school- level classes on campus — essentially repeating material they should have learned before they got their diplomas” “Remedial classes cost students, schools and taxpayers over $100 million dollars annually” -Ron French, Bridge Magazine expensive-bridge-to-nowhere /

Low Levels of Rigor Current standards feature large amounts of knowledge and recall learning targets Under-developing critical thinking abilities Disadvantaged in college and the workplace Why do We Need Common Standards?

Lack of Clarity “Write for a variety of purposes.” “Respond to variety of literary/informational texts.” “Competently use money.” Are these standards clear to teachers, students, and parents? Why Do we Need Common Standards?

Inconsistencies Different states set different learning targets Different districts set different learning targets Different classrooms learning different topics We must expect high achievement from all students in all classrooms Why Do We Need Common Standards?

“Academic standards are the starting point of providing a quality education. Common Core defines what we need kids to learn to pursue their dreams, and assessments measure whether students are learning what they need to know to be successful.” (Gov. Bush – Opening Speech, National Summit 2011)

Results of Inconsistencies States requiring different content Cut scores for proficiency vary by state Students being taught and assessed at different levels of rigor based on location Students who move may be far ahead or far behind Large groups of students are disadvantaged in the national and global economies

Barriers to Collaboration Educators are not working from the same blueprints Chilling effect on the sharing of best practices Curricular materials not applicable to all places This creates an insular education community where everyone is doing the same work over and over again Why Do We Need Common Standards?

A set of clear, consistent, internationally-benchmarked K-12 standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics that will provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our students for college and the workplace. What is the Common Core?

An effort led by the National Governor’s Association, the Council of Chiefs of State Schools, ACT, Achieve, College Board, and many other groups that created standards voluntarily adopted by states. What is the Common Core?

Important! Standards are the “What” Standards are the overall goal we hope our children achieve. Curriculum is the “How” Curriculum is the individual teaching methodology used in the classroom.

General planning and coordinating of all public education, including higer education Adopts academic standards State Board of Education Implementation of bills passed by the legislature and policies established by the State Board of Educaiton Implementation of federal programs Michigan Department of Education Selects Curriculum Selects Textbooks Local School District

Increased complexity of texts Focus on foundational math skills and application in novel real-world situations A return to depth as opposed to breadth Increased focus on justifying and presenting results and methods Critical reading and writing infused in all curricular areas Re-ordering of math content to reflect research- based path to college and career readiness How are Common Core Standards better?

Old Standard New Standard N.MR Locate fractions with denominators of 12 or less on the number line: include mixed numbers 4.NF.2 Compare two fraction with different numerators and different denominators, e.g., by creating common denominators or numerators, or by comparing to a benchmark fraction such as ½. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.

Preparation: The CCSS will prepare students for both college and the workplace and emphasizes higher-order skills instead of knowledge and recall. Benefits of Common Core

Competition: The CCSS are internationally- benchmarked, ensuring that our students are prepared to be competitive in the global job market. Benefits of Common Core

Equity: The Common Core will foster consistent expectations not dependent on state or zip code. We will hold all students to high academic expectations. Benefits of Common Core

Clarity: The Common Core are focused, coherent, and clear standards. Everyone knows what is expected of our students. Benefits of Common Core

Collaboration: CCSSI will be a foundation for teachers, states, and districts to work together from the same blueprints. This will facilitate the sharing of best practices. Benefits of Common Core

43 states have voluntarily adopted the Common Core, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoan Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Department of Defense. Implementation Progress

Implementation Staff Development is key to successful implementation _core_implementation_video_series.html Math Standards 1&list=PL087DD8418FEDAC32

How Can You Help Your Child Succeed with the Common Core State Standards? Get PTA’s Parent Guide to Student Success Know what your Student will be expected to know for his/her grade level Follow the guides recommendations to help your child succeed Talk to your child’s teacher regularly about how your child is doing

Things To Ask Your Child’s Teacher: What are the most important skills my child will be expected to learn this month/semester/year? How will homework be different in English Language Arts and Math this year? What will my child be reading this year? Are there examples of additional fiction or non-fiction texts we could read at home? What resources are available if my child needs additional help or wants to learn more about a particular topic _common_core_here.html

Things To Ask Your Child Throughout The Year: What did you read today? What was a particular piece of the text that interested you or surprised you? Tell me about it. Connect with your own anecdote regarding the topic. What new words did you learn this week? What do they mean? Can you spell them for me? Let me see what your teacher(s) is (are) asking you to write this week. Can I see your math homework? Can you do it on your own? Do you need help? You may not have the answer, so it's okay to ask your child's teacher for help or do your own research. Later in the school year, real world application of math knowledge: What do you know in math now that you didn't when school started? Give me an example of how that is used in your everyday life. How did you figure that out and why is it important to know that? ver_common_core_here.html

What Can You Do? Legislators need to know that parents Vote Support our Educators Support College and Career Ready Standards Want implementation to move forward Want children to be able to compete and succeed in the future.

Problems Parents have with Common Core Misinformation about the Common Core Math Homework Curriculum Suggested Reading List Resources

Misinformation about Common Core: Political Vortex Federal Takeover of the Education System Data Collection Standards -vs- Curriculum Low Performers drag down High Performers

What questions do you have?

For more information contact: Shaton Berry, Team Lead MichiganPTA.org