november 11, 2013 november 13, 2013 december 4, 2013 what you need to know about the a community...
TRANSCRIPT
November 11, 2013November 13, 2013December 4, 2013
W h a t y o u n e e d t o k n o w a b o u t t h e
A community forum
Milford Public Schools t Milford, Connecticut
Presentation Overview
1. The Background: 1893 to present
2. Common Core: Defined
3. The Standards
4. The Assessment: SBAC replaces CMT/CAPT
5. Professional Learning: Teachers need realignment, too
6. Parents: What you can do to help
7. Questions and Answers
2
The Background
The concept of Common Standards is not new.
1893: Columbia University, NYC
Ten men in a secret society debated what American high schools should teach. In their final report, the Committee of Ten concluded:
“Students deserve a strong liberal arts education – in which every subject is taught in the same way and to the same extent to every pupil so long as he pursues it, no matter what the probable destination of the pupil may be.”
TIME, Monday Sept. 30, 2013, Amanda Ripley 4
The Background
June 2008: Governors Across Country Request Common Standards
An earlier study (2004) revealed students were graduating without the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the work world.
Governors requested: Standards that directly link to what colleges and employers
want young people to know.
Standards for all students - Grades K-12.
Standards that are more rigorous, but fewer in number.
5
The Background
June 2010: Common Standards Released
n English Language Arts n Mathematics
They were created by educational experts, teachers, administrators, and members of the private sector.
July 7, 2010: Connecticut Adopts Common Core (for English/Math)
August 2013:46 States have adopted the Common Core State Standards.
6
Common Core Defined
Common Core State Standards are:
“a set of research-based, globally competitive K-12 expectations for English language arts and
mathematics.”
9
Common Core: English language arts
English/Language Arts Standards
Emphasis on content-rich nonfiction and information texts to build knowledge, in addition to literature.
Reading and writing grounded in evidence from the text.
Listening and speaking skills are included as a standard.
11
Common Core: English language arts
What’s In and What’s Out?
In…… Out……1. Daily Encounters w/complex texts 1. Leveled texts (exclusively)
2. Texts worthy of close attention 2. Reading any ol’ text
3. Balance of literary and info texts 3. Solely literature
4. Coherent sequences of texts 4. Collection of unrelated texts
5. Mostly text-dependent questions 5. Mostly text-to-self questions
6. Evidence-based analyses 6. Personal opinions about issues
7. Emphasis on academic vocab 7. Emphasis on literary terminology
12
Common Core: Mathematics
Mathematics Standards
Significantly narrow the scope – move away from ‘a mile wide and an inch deep’ curricula.
Dig deep into fewer concepts for a well-developed understanding of topics that are crucial in college/career success.
Ask students to think across grades and make links to major topics within grades.
Demand that students have conceptual understanding and can demonstrate procedural skill and fluency, and application.
14
Common Core: Mathematics
Priorities in Mathematics
15
Grade Priorities in support of Rich Instruction and Expectations of Fluency and Conceptual Understanding
K-2 Addition and subtraction, measurement using whole number quantities
3-5 Multiplication and division of whole numbers and fractions
6 Ratios and proportional reasoning; early expressions and equations
7 Ratios and proportional reasoning; arithmetic of rational numbers
8 Linear algebra
Testing
Two tests were developed to be used in conjunction with the Common Core State Standards
States could choose either one.
20
Testing
Key points about the Smarter Balanced Test (SBAC)
22
Test is given 100% on the computer.
SBAC will replace CMT/CAPT
SBAC will be Field Tested in Connecticut in Spring 2014
First official SBAC to be administered in Spring 2015
Testing
Key points about the Smarter Balanced Test (SBAC)
23
Questions are delivered one at a time.
Questions will ‘build’ upon the previous question (in a series).
The SBAC test is adaptive; it records correct and incorrect answers and monitors how far a student can go before getting ‘stuck.’
Real time data will greatly assist teachers in planning student instruction.
Test requires the application of skills and context to real world problems.
Testing
SBAC: Grades 3-8, and Gr. 11 (new)
- Replaces CMT/CAPT
One Exception:
24
CMT/CAPT – Science- Gr. 5, 8, and 10 only
- Expected to be far more difficult
Professional Learning
Teacher Training Will be Essential
- Curriculum- Assessment- Teacher Training to involve a Shift in Thinking
26
How Parents Can Help
The Sure Fire List of ‘Best Bets’
1. Visit the Library …. Often.
2. Encourage your child to read non-fiction texts.
3. Review your student’s work, involve yourself in their studies.
4. Ask lots of questions – have discussions about their work.
28
Resources
PTA Parents’ Guide to Student Success
www.pta.org A concise guide to the standards for each grade in ELA and Mathematics Includes an overview of key things your child will learn in math/English Gives ideas for activities to help your child learn at home Includes topics to talk about with your child’s teacher throughout the year
30
Resources
Connecticut Dept. of Education Website
www.ct.gov/sde
31
Milford Public Schools Website
www.milforded.org