 On July 19, 2010 NY adopted the Common Core Learning Standards for ELA and Mathematics.  The CCLS are the “guide” as to what shall be taught in UPK-12 in ELA and Mathematics. There are also standards (or expectations) for all subjects to support and include reading, writing, listening and speaking activities in their classrooms.  Forty-five states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity have adopted the Common Core State Standards.

Implementation…  all K-8 students will be provided instruction that aligns to the Common Core Learning Standards in ELA and Mathematics, along with the “shifts” in how to instruct  The spring 2013 Grades 3-8 state exams were based on the new Common Core Standards

Implementation…  In all students entering 9 th grade will be provided classes that are aligned to the Common Core, along with the “shifts” in how to instruct  The Mathematics and ELA Regents that our entering 9 th graders will take will be based on the Common Core Standards

Curriculum…  The Common Core Standards guide what we need to teach, but then you still need a curriculum - the actual daily lesson plans, activities, assessments, etc.  The NYS Ed. Dept. decided that rather than leaving it to each district to have to go through this huge task of creating a curriculum, where there can be a lot of discrepancy in how the Standards are interpreted and what curriculum gets created, that they would hire companies to create the curriculum for both subjects. This curriculum is reviewed by Common Core writers and is posted on the State web-site for any districts to use.  This curriculum began to be posted throughout the school year, and was ready for districts to use in

Decision…  Districts needed to decide: To adopt the curriculum the state posts as the district curriculum To adapt the state’s posted curriculum with district-created or purchased items To buy or create their own curriculum The catch – if you go with option #2 or #3, your district must take steps to ensure that what you have created locally or purchased is rigorous, incorporates the “shifts” in how to teach that the state expects, the instruction builds from year- to-year, etc.

What did SL decide…  We have a “Race to the Top” Committee that is comprised of teachers of all buildings and various subjects, along with administrators  At our 2/14/13 meeting, we discussed our options and mapped a plan so that we would have a decision for what our curriculum would be in by the beginning of April 2013  We looked over examples of the curriculum that was available so far, and sought feedback from those teachers who were “experimenting” with the curriculum posted

What did SL decide…  Teachers and principals took the form (copy provided) back to their buildings and got feedback  Forms were completed and returned to me by the end of March 2013

What did SL decide…  Unanimously – Adopt the state’s curriculum (also called ‘Modules’ and ‘Domains’ as the South Lewis Curriculum as we move forward)

Where are we now… Implementing the State’s Curriculum:  ELA (UPK-9 th Grade) Mathematics (UPK and 5 th – 9 th Grade )  ELA (10 th Grade) Mathematics (K-4 th Grade and 10 th Gr )  ELA (11 th Grade) Mathematics (11 th Grade )  So on

What steps have we taken…  Printing the state curriculum for each teacher  Ordering texts needed for ELA  Sending teacher representatives to Albany to learn about the curriculum  These ‘teacher ambassadors’ are then leading “un-packing module” sessions this summer to ensure their colleagues understand the curriculum

What needs to happen…  We will continue to copy the materials through BOCES as they are posted  We will continue to send “Teacher Ambassadors” and Administration to learn about the modules, so these people can come back and share with their colleagues to ensure successful implementation  We will continue to expand to grades as the curriculum is ready