COMMUNICATING ABOUT THE COMMON CORE

 You feel like you have some helpful messages and resources to share with parents.  You see the importance of communicating to parents that YOU are the leader of the Common Core transition at your school. 2 GOALS

 What are you hearing from parents when it comes to the Common Core? Is it different from what you’ve been hearing from parents in the past? If so, how so?  What do you hear teachers telling parents about the Common Core? 3 WHAT’S THE BUZZ

 What have you done so far to communicate with parents about the Common Core?  What has worked so far in communications with parents? What hasn’t worked? Why do you think those things have or haven’t worked? 4 COMMUNICATIONS SO FAR

 In your ideal world, what would parents know about the Common Core?  How would this be communicated to parents? 5 IN AN IDEAL WORLD

1.What is the Common Core? 2.I’ve heard that the Common Core is federal takeover/privacy intrusion/sex education/communism. 3.How can I help my child? 6 THREE TYPES OF QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

 These parents are just looking for the basics  Messages:  WHAT: “The Common Core State Standards are a set of standards that provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn in each grade level. The standards have been adopted by 45 states.”  WHY: “Before, each state in the country had different yard sticks for what students should know. For the first time now, the Common Core State Standards will make it possible for you to really know how your child is doing in school compared to other students across the country. This should help to provide you with the peace of mind, reassurance, and confidence that our students in Jefferson Parish will be able to thrive alongside any other student.” 7 WHAT IS THE COMMON CORE?

 Figure out what’s at the core of these comments – Are they asking a simple question, or is their question about something bigger?  KNOW YOUR STUFF!  Don’t get too swept up in the details of things. 8 I’VE HEARD “X” ABOUT THE COMMON CORE

 Three types of concerns:  The material that is coming home this year is too hard/ too easy compared to last year.  Will my child be unfairly penalized/held back because these standards are so much harder?  I don’t understand how to help my child! 9 HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD?

 Three types of concerns:  The material that is coming home this year is too hard/ too easy compared to last year.  Will my child be unfairly penalized/held back because these standards are so much harder?  I don’t understand how to help my child! 10 HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD?

 This is multi-faceted issue, but they key is to help parents to feel like they have power to DO something (help).  Is there are particular concern from parents when it comes to their child’s homework (e.g., math homework around operations and algorithms)?  Can you focus on supporting parents in those areas?  Are there other resources that you can share with parents? 11 I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW TO HELP MY CHILD!

 Parent Toolkit (handout) – adapted from  National PTA Parents’ Guide to Student Success  Council of Great City Schools Parent Roadmaps  List of websites 12 RESOURCES TO SHARE

 Whether you like it or not, you are seen as THE authority of information.  Make sure that you’re knowledgeable.  Deliver information with confidence.  Don’t be afraid to say that you don’t know the answer. However, don’t equate that with passing the buck.  Follow through! 13 I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW TO HELP MY CHILD!

THANK YOU!!! 14