CCSS in the Classroom Melina Reeves EDU695: MAED Capstone Professor Shannon O'Day January 15, 2015

Content  What is CCSS  Purpose of CCSS.  How the CCSS are used within a school for teaching and learning.  Why creating report cards based on the CCSS is important in the school or district  Summary of how embedding evidence-based assessment in the curriculum can help guide teachers and learners in decision making.

What is CCSS As we watch our children grow and mature into young adults, we must realize that they are going to be facing a world of technology and growth. Not only do we need to prepare them for society as it is today but they need to learn how to adapt into the future of tomorrow. The Common Core State standards have been adopted by most states to give a general outline of the knowledge that our students need to know before entering college and the work force beyond (Common Core State Standard, 2015). “To ensure all students are ready for success after high school, the Common Core State Standards establish clear, consistent guidelines for what every student should know and be able to do in math and English language arts from kindergarten through 12th grade” (Common Core State Standard, 2015).

Purpose of CCSS The Common Core State Standard gives each state the ability to compare test scores accurately from one state to the other in areas such as reading, math, and science. Prior to the CCSS, each state had their own standards which would often cause vast differences in knowledge between different areas (Levin, & Fletcher, 2014). The largest impact that the Common Core State Standard has to offer is that these new guidelines will improve the quality of the education that students will receive across the nation (Educational testing service, 2013).

CCSS Pledge to Students Every student who is educated in a state that has adopted CCSS is guaranteed to be assessed for the same content as any other student in a comparable state. Students will no longer be at the mercy of a tenured teacher that teaches the lessons based on what they think the student should know. Students will be prepared for the future, armed with comparable knowledge based on tried and proven pedagogy and curriculum.

How the CCSS are used within a school for teaching and learning Math There are standards designated for each of the grade levels through grade 8, then the individual concepts in high school are addressed. For example, Grade 1 has standards that must be met by each student in that grade level for mastery. High school has concepts such as geometry, algebra, statistics and probability. These concepts are generally the same from state to state per the Common Core State Standards (Levin & Fletcher, 2014).

How the CCSS are used within a school for teaching and learning English Arts The Standards for English Language Arts are designed to create “critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are required for success in college, career, and life” (Common Core State Standards, 2015). Every student needs to know how to read, write and communicate effectively to succeed beyond their academic careers. With a world of changing technology, we have to push our students above and beyond what had been previously required. The Standards for English Language Arts create a workable assessment that promotes the basic skills of reading and writing but also of analysis, comprehension, problem solving and critical thinking processes.

It is the same, but different The Common Core State Standards are not differentiated, however the strategies to teach them to the students must be (Lamb, 2003). Each student is different and therefore needs to be assessed as an individual learner. If we are to teach a common standard to many different learners, we must differentiate the strategies to convey that knowledge in the best possible formats.

Why creating report cards based on the CCSS is important in the school or district A CCSS report card defines, explains and reinforces the expectations that are required of the students and teachers. A CCSS maintained report card keeps the standards in focus and on target. A CCSS report card gives the opportunity for valuable feedback so that the students and their families know exactly where the student is. Instead of a pass fail progress report, a CCSS report card is individually tailored to show exactly where a student needs to work. This meaningful report card is invaluable towards student achievement.

Summary of how embedding evidence-based assessment in the curriculum can help guide teachers and learners in decision making. Evidence based assessment in the curriculum acts as a precedence and guides teachers and learners in decision making. Past experience shows what works and what does not.

References Common Core State Standards Initiative. (2015). Common Core State Standards Initiative: The Standards. Retrieved from Educational testing service; ETS, national urban league to discuss impact of common core state standards on underserved communities. (2013). Education Letter, 56. Retrieved from Lamb, A. (2003). Ready, set, what's missing? Success through differentiation & technology. Retrieved from Levin, D., & Fletcher, G. (2014). CCSS assessments: are you ready: will districts be tech ready to administer the nation's new assessments? (Statistical data). Technology & Learning, (7). 22. Retrieved from docview/