Getting to the CORE

of the Common Core State Standards

Presented by: Glenn Kershner – Principal of MTES and

Keira Scussa – Director of Curriculum and Instruction

February 24, 2015

Welcome ~Session Red Folder Blue Folder

First Overview of Common Core

Second ELA PresentationRoom B-225

Math PresentationRoom B-208

Third Math PresentationRoom B-208

ELA PresentationRoom B-225

*Parents are welcome to return to the library to explore the PARCC practice tests with the help of some MTES faculty members.

What are the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)?

• Set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA).

• Learning goals outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade.

• Were created to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live.

 Forty-three states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have voluntarily adopted and are moving forward with the Common Core.

Why do we need the Common Core?

● Disparity in standards across the states

● “Global” - no longer neighborhood competition

● For many young people, high school wasn’t preparing them for college or careers.

Freshman Remediation Rates, NJ County Colleges, 2011

Atlantic Cape 68%

Bergen 68%

Burlington 66%

Camden 74%

Cumberland 63%

Essex 82%

Gloucester 63%

Hudson 92%

Mercer 60%

Middlesex 79%

Morris 72%

Ocean 62%

Passaic 81%

Raritan 69%

Salem 57%

Sussex 60%

Union 58%

Warren 73%

Rutgers 22%

Why are the CCSS important?➢ Prepare students with knowledge and skills to succeed in

college and career

➢ Ensure consistent expectations across participating states.

➢ Provide educators, parents, and students with clear, focused grade level expectations.

History of the CCSS➔ Beginning in the spring of 2009, Governors and state commissioners of education

from 48 states, 2 territories, and the District of Columbia committed to developing a common core of state K-12 English-language arts (ELA) and mathematics standards.

➔ The Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) was a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). www.corestandards.org

➔ New Jersey adopted the CCSS in June of 2010 with full implementation for all public schools in 2013-2014 school year

CCSS DesignBuilding on the strength of current state standards, the CCSS are

designed to be: ❖ Focused, coherent, clear, and rigorous ❖ Internationally benchmarked ❖ Anchored in “college and career readiness”* ❖ Evidence and research based

*Ready for first-year credit-bearing, postsecondary coursework in mathematics and English without the need for remediation.

Myth vs. FactMyth: “NJ’s high standards for student learning have been

lowered”

Fact: Clear agreement that no state would lower its academic standards

Fact: Teachers still have flexibility and responsibility to customize instruction to their student’s needs and abilities

Myth vs. Fact

Myth - “CCSS amount to a national curriculum for our schools”

Fact - Teachers, administrators, school boards, and communities still decide what materials and programs will be used to meet the standards

Key Shifts in Math- Greater focus on fewer topics - “Coherence”... linking topics and thinking across grades.. Building on

prior knowledge to create new knowledge and understanding - “Rigor” … not defined by making math harder or by introducing

topics earlier – it refers to a deep, authentic, and thorough command of math concepts

- “Procedural skill and fluency”… mastery of math facts! - “Application”… connection of math to the world around them and

ability to apply skills

Key Shifts in ELA - English Language Arts

Reading ~★ provides a balance of literature (fiction) and informational

texts (non-fiction) to reflect “college and career ready” expectations.

★ greater focus on text complexity ○ text dependent questions○ evidenced-based responses

Key Shifts in ELA - English Language Arts

Writing ~★ emphasis on argument (persuasive) and

informative/explanatory (research) writing ★ emphasis on writing about sources or using evidence to

inform an argument.

Initiatives for Student Achievement

Infusing questioning progressions Training on utilizing tech as instr. tool Implementation of WriteSteps program Analyzing Data to inform instruction Shared in-services with Southampton

Grade Level Articulation Meetings Unpacking the PARCC Writing Close Reading Protocols Revising Journeys Framework Modeling Demo Lessons

Professional Development/Grade Level Articulation Meetings Focused on:

What is the PARCC?

The Partnership for Assessment of College and Careers (PARCC) is a group of states working together to develop a common set of computer-based K-12 assessments in English Language Arts/Literacy and Math linked to the new, more rigorous Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

Using Data to Inform Instruction

Field Trip!Take this opportunity to become more familiar with the

wonderful instructional practices being implemented in our classrooms.