The Parent’s Guide to The Common Core and PARCC Assessment Morris school district Spring 2014

What is the Common Core? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s0rRk9sER0

Common Core Standards Common Core State Standards (CCCS) provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn to be college and career ready. The PARCC Assessments measure student progress toward standards. In June 2010, the New Jersey State Board of Education (NJBOE) and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) adopted the CCCS. These Educational standards in Math and English Language Arts were developed nationally in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.

Common Core Standards The Common Core Standards Are aligned with college and work expectations; Are clear, understandable, and consistent; Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills; Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards; and, Are evidence based.

46 States and DC Have Adopted the Common Core Standards

How Will The Standards Be Different? Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order thinking skills Provide performance-based collaborative activities and assessments Integrate literacy across content areas including Science and Social Studies Place stronger emphasis on informational text, research, and media skills

Instructional Shifts in ELA Read as much nonfiction as fiction Learn about the world by reading Read more challenging material closely Discuss reading using evidence Write non-fiction using evidence Increase academic vocabulary

Instructional Shifts in Math 6 Shifts in Mathematics Focus: Learn more about fewer, key topics Coherence: Build skills within and across grades Fluency: Develop speed and accuracy Deep Understanding: Really know it, really do it Application of Concepts: Use them in the real world Dual Intensity: Practice/Understand-Think fast & solve problems

ELA Shift 1: Read as Much Non-Fiction as Fiction Students Must... Parents Can… Read more non-fiction Supply more non-fiction Know the ways non-fiction can be put together Read and discuss more non-fiction with your child Enjoy and discuss the details of non-fiction Have fun with non-fiction in front of children

ELA Shift 2: Learn About the World by Reading Students Must… Parents Can… Build proficiency in Science and Social Studies through reading Supply series of text on topics of interest Handle “primary source” documents Find books that explain Get “smarter” through text Discuss non-fiction text and the ideas within

ELA Shift 3: Read More Complex Material Carefully Students Must… Parents Can… Re-Read Provide more challenging text that students WANT to and can read Read material at comfort level AND work with more challenging text Know grade level/reading level appropriate text Unpack text Read challenging text with student Handle frustration and keep pushing Show that challenging text is worth unpacking

ELA Shift 4: Discuss Reading Using Evidence Students Must… Parents Can… Find evidence to support their arguments Talk about text Form judgments Demand evidence in every day discussions/disagreements Become scholars Read aloud or read the same book and discuss with evidence Discuss authors’ point of view

ELA Shift 5: Discuss Reading Using Evidence Students Must… Parents Can… Make arguments in writing using evidence Encourage writing at home Compare multiple texts in writing Write “books” together and use evidence/details Write well

ELA Shift 6: Academic Vocabulary Students Must… Parents Can… Learn the words that they can use in college and career Read often and constantly with your children Get smarter about using “language of power” Provide multiple books on the same topic Talk to your children about reading Listen to your children read Play word and rhyming games with your children

Mathematics Shift 1: Focus: Learn More About Less Students Must… Parents Can… Spend more time on fewer concepts Know what the priority work is for their children and grade levels Spend time with their children on priority work Ask teachers about progress on priority work

Mathematics Shift 2: Coherence: Skills Across Grades Students Must… Parents Can… Keep building on learning year after year Be aware of child’s struggles and how they could impact future learning Advocate for their child and ensure that support is given for “gap” skills

Mathematics Shift 3: Fluency: Speed and Accuracy Students Must… Parents Can… Spend time practicing many problems on the same idea Push children to know/memorize basic math facts Know all fluencies their child should have and prioritize learning the ones children haven’t mastered

Mathematics Shift 4: Deep Understanding: Know It/Do It! Students Must… Parents Can… UNDERSTAND why the math works. Make the math work. Notice whether your child REALLY knows why the answer is what it is TALK about why the math works Provide time your child needs to learn key math PROVE that they know why and how the math works Be familiar with the math your child needs to know

Mathematics Shift 5: Application of Concepts: Real World Students Must… Parents Can… Apply math in real world situations Ask your children to do the math that comes up in their daily life Know which math to use for which situation

Mathematics Shift 6: Dual Intensity: Practice & Understand/Think Fast & Solve Students Must… Parents Can… Be able to use core math facts FAST Notice which skills your child is smart in and where they need to get smarter Make sure your child is PRACTICING math facts he/she struggles with Be able to apply math in the real world Make sure your child is thinking about math in real life

Mathematical Practice Standards Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them Reason abstractly and quantitatively Construct viable arguments & critique the reasoning of others Model with mathematics Use appropriate tools strategically Attend to precision Look for and make sense of structure Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

PARCC Assessments What is PARCC? What will it look like? How will it be different from NJASK? When will PARCC assessments be administered?

PARCC Assessments The Partnership for Assessments of College and Careers (PARCC) is a group of 19 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).

Why New Assessments Now? Current state assessments were not designed to: Assess and signal whether students are on track for success in college or careers Produce timely, actionable data for students, teachers and parents Test key skills, such as critical thinking and ability to problem solve

PARCC Priorities Determine whether students are college and career ready or on track Connect to the Common Core Standards Measure the full range of student performance, including that of high and low achieving students Provide educators data throughout the year to inform instruction Create innovative 21st Century, technology-based assessments Be affordable and sustainable

How Will PARCC Be Different Students: Will know if they are on track to graduate ready for college/careers Teachers: Will have earlier access to data to plan for learning and instruction for the following year Parents: Will have clear and timely information about student progress States: Will have valid results that are comparable across borders

How Will PARCC Be Different For Teachers and Schools: Computer-based testing will boost student engagement and scores More efficient than pencil-paper Timely data during the year will aid instruction, professional development Tests will assess the full range of student performance Tests will measure student growth at all levels as well as measuring proficiency

PARCC Assessments Beginning in 2014-2015, PARCC Assessments will replace NJASK in grades 3-8. At the high school level, End of Course exams will be introduced for English 9, 10, 11 and Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2. PARCC Assessments are comprised of two sections: Performance Based Assessment (PBA) End of Year Assessment (EQY)

Two Required Assessments Yield Overall Score Beginning of School Year End of School Year Flexible administration Performance-Based Assessment Diagnostic Assessment Mid-Year Assessment End-of-Year Assessment Speaking and Listening Assessment Key: Optional Required

PARCC Assessments Teachers, students, parents, and others can engage with the sample items using computer-based tools such as drag-and-drop, multiple select, text highlighting, and an equation builder. PARCC has also released online tutorials that demonstrate how students will navigate the test, how to use the computer-based tools, and features that make the test more accessible for all students, including those with disabilities and English learners. http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#

In the Morris School District… Are we prepared for PARCC? Full Implementation of CCSS for 2013-14 Focus on informational text (non-fiction), citing text, and critical analysis in ELA Focus on fact fluency and problem solving in Mathematics

In the Morris School District… What about the technology needs that are required for computer-based testing? Technology specifications for computer-based testing was sent to districts two-years ago. Recent upgrades to our network systems and the additional purchasing of equipment has put MSD “ahead of the curve” in the area of PARCC preparedness. Increased focus on technology skills such as typing, “click & drag”, and utilizing multiple windows has been a priority at each school.

Questions?

Resources and References www.corestandards.org www.achievethecore.org www.PARCConline.org www.morrisschooldistrict.org