The Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) by Marva Burton

What is the Common Core State Standards Initiative?  State-led Effort  Provides clear, consistent frameworks for college and workforce  Coordinated by  National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center)  Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)  Collaboration  School Administrators  Teachers  Experts  Parents

Why is CCSS important?  Students  Allows equal access to a good education  Enables students to compete with peers  Nationally (statewide)  Internationally (worldwide)  Prepares for college/careers  Easier transition between states  Helps students to know what is expected of them

CCSS Importance Continued  Parents  Informs parents  What students need to know  What students are able to do  Encourages  Parental Support  Students  Teachers  Parent Involvement  Creates opportunities

CCSS Importance Continued  Educators  Tailored curriculum/teaching methods  Promotes deeper understanding for students  Promotes in-depth teaching of content  Lessons taught aligned with assessments  Formative assessments  Summative assessments  Benchmarks  Focused pre-service training and professional development

Myths and Facts of CCSS  Myths  High standards states must lower standards  Standards not internationally benchmarked  Teachers not involved in writing the standards  No research or evidence  Facts  Standards built upon advanced thinking/standards  International benchmarking—key role  Written by teachers/experts, across country  Evidence  Scholarly research  Surveys  Assessment Data  Comparisons  High-performing states/nations

Targeted Subject Areas  English Language Arts  Reading  Emphasis on what students read/skill level of reading  Writing  Ability to plan, revise, edit, and publish  Speaking/Listening  Develop skills necessary for formal presentations  Oral communication  Interpersonal skills  Language  Essential “rules” of standard written/spoken English  Media/Technology  Skills related to media use  Critical analysis  Production of media

Targeted Subject Areas Continued  Mathematics  K-8  Counting and Cardinality  Operations and Algebraic Thinking  Number and Operations in Base Ten  Fractions  Ratios and Proportional Reasoning  The Number System  Expressions and Equations  Functions  Measurement and Data  Geometry  Statistics and Probability

Targeted Subject Areas Continued  Mathematics  9-12  Number and Quantity  Algebra  Functions  Modeling  Geometry  Statistics and Probability

Implementation of CCSS  States  Voluntary adoption of standards  48 states  Currently developing implementation plans/timelines  CCSS alignment with existing state standards  Professional development for school/district staff  CCSS assessments ( )

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  Q. How are educational standards determined now?  A. States have their own process  Developing, adopting, and implementing standards  Q. How will states adopt the common core state standards?  A. Depends on laws of each state  State Boards of Education  State Legislatures  Q. Will CCSS local teachers from deciding what or how to teach?  A. No, local teachers, principals, and superintendents will decide how  standards are met.  Q. What does this mean for English language learners and students  with disabilities?  A. Common standards will provide a greater opportunity for states to  share experiences and best practices within and across states  that can lead to an improved ability to best serve young people with  disabilities and English language learners.

For more information  Common Core State Standards   Common Core   National Governor Association  issues.html issues.html  The Council of Chief State School Officers   CCSS Implementation Timeline for Arkansas  f f  Missouri Department of Elementary/Secondary Education 

References  Common Core State Standards Initiative   Spotlight on the Common Core State Standards   Common Core State Standards Initiative 