Common Core State Standards

What are Standards? They ensure that students are ready to be successful in school and in the workforce. They set the tone for the difficulty of the curriculum students will learn and what they will be expected to know when they are assessed. Parents, teachers, and students know what knowledge and skills students will leave high school with.

What is the Common Core? Common Core refers to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). These standards focus on making sure students are college and career ready by the time they graduate high school. They aim to make students academically competitive regardless of where in California or the United States they work or go to school.

What Was Done Before CCSS? Each state had their own standards. Those standards were not always of the same quality, complexity or rigor. If someone moved from one state to another, what they learned may have varied greatly. Students attending college in different states would not necessarily be coming in with the same background knowledge.

How are the CCSS Different from CA’s Current Standards? At this point, the standards are only for Mathematics and English, although a knowledge of Social Studies and Science will be necessary for the English standards. The standards require students to demonstrate a deeper level of knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Which States Have Adopted the Common Core?

When Will Students Start Learning These Standards? WUHSD teachers have been working together the last three years adapting what they teach and how they assess students to fit with the CCSS. Students will be taking district assessments this year that include some of the components of the common core examinations.

CCSS Assessment Details The first nation-wide exam will take place in The examinations will take place on computers. –30% multiple choice –40% constructed responses/computer-enhanced performance task (open-ended questions) –30% performance event

Explanation of Constructed Response These are open-ended, short answer questions. In general, students will be required to write a one- to two-paragraph response, or fill in a graphic organizer, or list items that are solutions to a problem.

BCR- English

Editing and Revising

Brief Constructed Response- Math

BCR- Math

Multiple, Multiple Choice

Three Part Math Problem

Solving Real World Problems

Explanation of Performance Task Integrate knowledge and skills across multiple content standards Measure depth of understanding, research skills, complex analysis, and the use of evidence. Require student-initiated planning, management of information and ideas, interaction with other materials Reflect a real-world task and/or scenario-based problem Allow for multiple approaches Focus on 21th Century skills (technology, media, etc) There are three basic components in a performance task: –Stimulus presentation –Information processing –Scoreable product or performance.

Explanation of Performance Event Students will have to apply their knowledge to real-world situations. They will have to work in interdisciplinary situations. They will require the ability to use technology. They will take a long time (in some cases, weeks) to complete.

What do the Standards Focus on? English—reading, writing, language Mathematics—number and quantity, Algebra, functions, modeling, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability

Brief Constructed Response- English

How Can You Help at Home? Talk to your student about the testing and how it will require them to think more deeply and perform more complex tasks. Increase your student’s reading of newspapers and legitimately newsworthy websites (MSNBC, CNN, FOX, etc.) Talk about current events/ controversial issues at home with an eye toward thoughtful analysis and debating the two sides of the issue. Encourage your student, and provide opportunities for them, to read, write, and listen effectively. Increase opportunities for productive computer use.

Questions? Your child’s Mathematics and English teachers can tell you how they are preparing your child for the CCSS. Your school’s Assistant Principal of Curriculum is also available to answer questions.