Download - 130129-CommonCoreChronicles
-
7/29/2019 130129-CommonCoreChronicles
1/2
What is the Common Core?
Common Core is a set o standards that
were developed to prepare students tobe college and career ready by the end o
12th grade. Nearly all states have adopted
the Common Core, including Caliornia.
The Common Core State Standards
(CCSS) provide a practical way to prepare
children or the challenges o a constantly
changing world by learning step-by-
step the real-world skills they need or
career and college.
The Common Core standards are
important because they create
consistency across the state, so students
within our educational system are all
aforded the same instructional targets
and expectations or what high school
graduates know and are able to do
academically.
This will ensure that we maintain
Americas competitive edge, so that all
o our students are well prepared with
the skills and knowledge necessary to
compete with not only their peers here athome, but with students rom around the
world.
With the goal o all students
graduating rom our public
school system as lie- long
learners who will have the
skills and knowledge necessary to assume
their positions in the 21st century global
economy.
Will there be new tests for thenew standards?
Yes, Caliornia students will be taking
the SMARTER Balanced Assessment
Consortium (SBAC) that will measure
student progress toward career and
college readiness. You may learn more
about the new tests and Caliornias
participation in the SBAC at http://www.
cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/smarterbalanced.
asp.
The Smarter Balanced
assessment adjusts the
di culty o questions based
on student responses. For
example, a student who
answers a question correctly
will receive more challenging questions,
while an incorrrect answer generates
an easier question. By adapting to the
student as the assessment is taking place,
these assessments present an individually
tailored set o questions to each studentsand can quickly identiy which skills
students have mastered. School districts
will have the option o taking
a paper version o the test as
a transition or the rst 3-5
years.
MPUSD: What are we doing to
prepare?
We have done the ollowing things since
learning o the CCSS.
Developed a Common Core
Implementation Plan during the
2011-12 school year
Trained staf to learn how to
transition rom the current standards
to the Common Core standards, and
deepen their understanding o how
student learning will be tested using
the Smarter Balance assessment
Held District widecollaborative activities within
our Proessional Learning
Communities model to
discuss the new requirements
and create action plans
Which grades are using it, and
in which subject areas?
Our Proessional Learning Communities
have begun collaborating on the
transition to Common Core StateStandards in the areas o writing and math
For the rst phase o implementation
teachers will assess students on a set o
Common Core Standards or writing and
written language. Students will take math
perormance tasks, based upon the CCSS
Common Core Chronicles
A Guide to the Common Core State Standards
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
-
7/29/2019 130129-CommonCoreChronicles
2/2
What does the district need to be able to apply
computer testing in 2015?
MPUSD stakeholders are currently updating the district
Education Technology Plan and assessing what will be required
throughout the district to support teaching and learning. A
primary goal o the Technology Plan committee is to ensure
that students have the basic computer skills required to take the
Smarter Balance assessment.
How many computers per child
do you have in the district?
Currently, MPUSD has approximately
3,800 computers available or
student use. At a minimum, every
school site has two laptop cart
classroom sets available or students.
MPUSD has developed a team o
Common Core Teacher Leaders rom every school site whoattend quarterly meetings which will provide training regarding
the Common Core State Standards and their impact on the
classroom. Resources will be shared at the quarterly district wide
collaboration, where all MPUSD teachers will meet. Teachers will
also share ideas, best practices and resources on Google Sites.
MPUSD: Real World Testing
Perormance tasks challenge students to apply
their knowledge and skills to respond to real-
world problems. Students in MPUSD are currently
practicing the perormance task assessments
in English and Math. MPUSD teachers meet inweekly Proessional Learning Community groups
to discuss student learning, and many teams
have elected to use perormnace tasks as part o
their lessons on a regular basis.
Last year, a group o teachers participating in the Caliornia
Math and Science Project (CaMSP) piloted a math perormance
task assessment by MARS (Math Assessment Resource Service).
Upon review o the assessment one teacher commented, When
they have to write and explain, I can see exactly where the student
is and its a much better assessment. Kids have to think and
justiy their answers rather than simply ollowing steps to get the
right answer. When I read their answers, I learn not only whether
they got it right or wrong, but also
how they were thinking. MARS
(Math Assessment) perormance
tasks will be included in the math
benchmarks this upcoming school
year.
Transitioning to the CCSS: What Parents andGuardians Can Do Now
Parents and guardians are crucial partners in laying the
groundwork or a smooth transition to the
new standards. Parents and guardians can:
Learn about the CCSS and the districts
transition plan.
Talk to the principal about the schools
plans or the transition to learn what
will be diferent about these new
standards and what will remain the
same or children.
Attend a board and/or community
meeting to discuss district goals and timelines.
Play an active role in your childs education at home. I you
notice your child is struggling in a certain area, consult with
his or her teacher to identiy strategies and resources that
might be helpul.
Explore opportunities to become actively involved inthe Common Core transition through your state and
local Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent Teache
Organization (PTO).
English:
Provide more challenging texts AND provide texts
they WANT to read and can read comortably
Knowwhat is grade level appropriate
Read challenging text with them
Math:
Ask your child to explain why the answer i
what it is
Provide TIMEor your child to work hard with
math at home
Resources for Parents and Guardians
California Department of Education CCSS Web Page: http://www
cde.ca.gov/re/cc/ (select Students/Parents tab)
SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium Information:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/smarterbalanced.asp
K-8 Californias Common Core Standards Parent Handbook:http://www.ccsesa.org/sysadmin/documents/
CCSParentHandbook_020411.doc
The PTA Parents Guide to Students Success (in English and
Spanish)