The Common Core State Standards at Robert J. Fite Elementary School Information for Parents Back to School Night, August 12, 2014 Adapted from CCSS for Elementary Parents 2014 EGUSD Department of Curriculum & Professional Learning, A. Trunnell

In this presentation: 1.CCSS Content Standards vs. Curriculum 2.Emphasis within CCSS Standards 3.EGUSD Implementation of CCSS Standards 4.What Should I Expect in the Future? 5.How Can I Help My Child at Home? 6.Where Can I Go for More Information?

Connecting the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to Equitable Student Learning From the Council of Great City Schools: Public Service Announcement 3

New in EGUSD Beginning this year, elementary students in all EGUSD schools will be taught and will learn new curriculum in English/Language Arts with connections to History/Social Studies and Science Literacy Standards. This new curriculum prepares students to meet the expectations of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). 4

What Are Content Standards? “Content standards were designed to encourage the highest achievement of every student, by defining the knowledge, concepts, and skills that students should acquire at each grade level.” Source: California Department of Education 5

What is the Difference between “Content Standards” and “Curriculum”? 6 States determine the content standards. Districts determine the curriculum. Curriculum is the vehicle for the standards. Curriculum is comprised of the texts and materials used by a district to teach content standards.

Common Core State Standards: Are more similar than different to the previous standards Some important differences include: – Emphasis on clear thinking and clearly communicating one’s thinking to others – Emphasis on mathematical reasoning, expressing ideas in writing, and reading both stories and informational text 7

Some “Differences” are NOT Different: 1 The percentages on the table reflect the sum of student reading, not just reading in English Language Arts settings. Teachers of senior English classes, for example, are not required to devote 70 percent of reading to informational texts. Rather, 70 percent of student reading across the grades in all subject areas should be informational. Source: 8 GradeLiteraryInformation 450% 845%55% 1230%70%

Some “Differences” Provide for More Balanced Learning: Two Kinds of Math Standards 9 Content Standards Standards for Mathematical Practice Tell us what students should learn at grade level in the math classroom. These processes are how students interact with the content standards. (K-12)

Conceptual Understanding Procedural Fluency Application & Modeling Math instruction must be “balanced” with equal attention given to all three components

New English Language Development Standards 11 CCSS English/Language Arts (ELA) Standards English Language Development (ELD) Standards CA State adopted in August of 2010 CA Framework is in draft form and available for review Designed for all students Include “Literacy Standards” for History/Social Studies, Science, & Technical Subjects CA State adopted in November of 2012 Aligned to be used in tandem with the CCSS English Language Arts Standards Designed for English Learners Highlight and amplify the critical knowledge about language and skills using language in the CCSS for ELA/Literacy necessary for English Learners to be successful in school

How Do Common Core State Standards Improve Learning? 12 Prepare our students to be competitive with students from top-performing countries Communicate clearly what is expected at each grade level Create cohesion across states

Implementation of Common Core State Standards 13 EGUSD Grades K - 6 CCSS Math CCSS English/Language Arts with History/Social Studies & Science Literacy Standards CCSS State Testing with Student Results Review of State- approved CCSS English /Language Arts materials and potential pilot of materials Potential EGUSD adoption of State- approved CCSS English/Language Arts materials

How Will This Affect My Child in Kindergarten Through 2 nd Grade? 14 Most important goals: Learning to read Learning to write Becoming competent and confident in working with numbers

How Will This Affect My Child in Grades 3 – 6? 15 Greater percentage of reading of informational text as opposed to narrative or “stories” Greater emphasis on writing: narrative, informational, and persuasive

What Should I Expect in the Future? is the first year that all students in grades 3-8 and 11 will participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) program with SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) summative assessments. Results on the these assessments will be provided to families, schools, and districts. 16

How Can I Help My Child at Home? Praise children for making an effort and encourage perseverance. Help them develop the mindset that they should be proud of working hard and learning something new. Use conversation starters that encourage students to explain why or how they know something. 17

How Can I Learn More About Common Core? 18  Find more information about Common Core (including parent Q & A) on the EGUSD website:  Talk to your child’s teacher.  Find resources for math by logging into “Think Central,” the website associated with our Go Math textbooks. (Login provided by your child’s teacher.)  Refer to the information sheets on the National PTA website:

CCSS Communication Site CCSS Parent Nights District CCSS Parent Nights Site Newsletters District Newsletters Parent Committee Meetings Website Phone Messages 19

Common Core State Standards What questions do you have?