1. Pontotoc City School District

2. Pontotoc City School District believes LEARNING is a priority, a need, and a desire. To be successful, we must nurture a learning community that allows everyone to participate in trusting, respectful relationships. Together, we are committed to Reaching Higher Levels of Learning.

3.  Current Accountability – Embargoed  Accountability and Assessment Transitional Timeline  Accountability for 2013-14  Common Core State Standards  CCSS Assessment Items

4.  District Overview  School QDI  Growth  Grade Level  Grade Level Competencies

5. To ensure that all students have the opportunities and access to the careers of their choice, we need a K-12 education system that imparts the knowledge and skills most valued by employers and higher education.

6. Today’s – and tomorrow’s – jobs value postsecondary education and training more than ever. Americans without the requisite knowledge and skills will struggle to access good jobs in the increasingly competitive global economy.

7. Our state chose to adopt the K-12 Common Core State Standards to help ensure that all students graduate from high school with the core academic knowledge and skills necessary for success in college, careers and life, for the benefit of their futures and the future of our nation.

8.  Consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn  Appropriate academic benchmarks for all students at each grade level, regardless of where they live  Internationally benchmarked

9.  The students will learn the skills and abilities demanded by the workforce of today and the future by emphasizing critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving.  College and career readiness

10. What do educators need to know?  Marked change in instructional practices  Greater depth on fewer topics  Master critical thinking and problem- solving skills Common Core State Standards The Academic Baseline for Success in College, Careers, and Life

11. Why?  The top 25 fastest growing careers in Mississippi require education beyond high school, whether it’s a 2-year or 4-year degree.  Based on 2011 ACT score report, only 11% of Mississippi students are ready for college compared to 25% nationwide – the worst in the nation.  Test scores show Mississippi is farthest behind the rest of the nation in math and science. More than half the state’s seniors meet the benchmark in English, but only 14% do so in science. Nationally, 67% of students meet the English benchmark while 31% do so in science.  In Mississippi, the percent of 4 th grade students considered proficient in reading is 21.8 % versus the national average of 32.4%, based on 2011 NAEP report. For 8 th graders, 21 % were proficient in reading versus 31.6% nationally. That puts Mississippi at the bottom of the list. Common Core State Standards The Academic Baseline for Success in College, Careers, and Life

12.  I Choose C - YouTube

13.  Literacy-based Promotion Act Handbook statement – “Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, a student scoring at the lowest achievement level in reading on the established state assessment for 3 rd grade will not be promoted to 4 th grade unless the student meets the good cause exemptions for promotion.” Nine weeks test change – comprehensive testing

14.  Let’s look at some…..

15.  What can we do to get students ready for these assessments?

16. Pontotoc City School District believes LEARNING is a priority, a need, and a desire. To be successful, we must nurture a learning community that allows everyone to participate in trusting, respectful relationships. Together, we are committed to Reaching Higher Levels of Learning.