Common Core State Standards OVERVIEW CESA #9 - September 2010 Presented by: CESA #9 School Improvement Services Jayne Werner and Yvonne Vandenberg

Introduction This overview presentation is derived from the CCSS Foundations Kit for districts - developed in partnership with CESAs and the Department of Public Instruction.

Essential Questions What are the Common Core State Standards? Why are the CCSS good for stakeholders? What is the vision for implementation? How will CESA #9 support school districts?

What are the Common Core State Standards? Developed by the Council for Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association with representation from: 48 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia Educators, content experts, researchers, national organizations, and community groups Feedback on drafts from the general public, teachers, parents, business leaders, states, and content experts

What are the Common Core State Standards? Common Core Standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. (NGA & CCSSO, 2010)

What are the Common Core State Standards? Criteria used to develop the CCSS: ◦Fewer, clearer, and higher ◦Aligned with college and work expectations ◦Rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order thinking skills ◦Build upon strengths and lessons of states’ current standards ◦Informed by top performing countries to better prepare students for success in a global economy and society ◦Evidenced and/or research based ◦Realistic and practical for the classroom ◦Consistent across all states

What are the Common Core State Standards? Include college and career readiness standards K-12 English Language Arts K-12 ◦Range, quality, and complexity of reading text ◦Language progressive skills ◦Research regarding key elements of the standards ◦Text exemplars and sample performance tasks ◦Samples of student writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects, grades 6-12

What are the Common Core State Standards? Mathematics K-12 ◦Math Practices of processes and proficiencies  National Council of Teachers of Mathematics  National Research Council ◦Articulated in K-8 grade-by-grade; high school by conceptual category ◦Model Course Pathways intended to significantly increase the coherence of high school mathematics ◦Glossary and Research consulted

Why are Common Core State Standards good for students? College & Career Focus: Prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and careers Consistent: Expectations will be consistent for all kids and not dependent on a student’s zip code Mobility: Helps with student transitions between states Student Ownership: Clearer standards will help students understand what is expected of them and allow for more self-directed learning by students

Why are Common Core State Standards good for parents? Clarity: Helps parents understand exactly what students need to know and be able to do Support: Helps parents support their children and educators by making expectations clear and goals high Equity: Provides equal access to a high quality education Involvement: Provides opportunities to meaningfully engage parents

Why are Common Core State Standards good for educators? Training: Allows for more focused pre-service and professional development Valid Assessments: Assures that what is taught is aligned with assessments including formative, summative, and benchmarking Own the “How”: Provides the opportunity for instructors to tailor curriculum and teaching methods Depth: Informs the development of a curriculum that promotes deep understanding for all children

Why are Common Core State Standards good for states and districts? Global: Allows states to align curricula to internationally benchmarked standards Best Practices: Allows states and districts to ensure professional development for educators is based on best practices Competition: Creates the opportunity for America to compete for high-wage, high skill jobs in a knowledge-based economy State Assessment: Allows for the development of a “Next Generation” state assessment Policies: Provides the opportunity to compare and evaluate policies that artifact students achievement across states and districts

A Vision for Implementation

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Wisconsin’s Phase-by-Phase Roll-out Plan Year 1: UNDERSTANDING ◦Foundations Presentations: Overview, Criteria for Standards, Application to Students with Disabilities, Application to ELL, etc ◦Investigations Workshops: In-depth look at the content, rigor, and key advances in each discipline (by grade level clusters) Year 2: CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES FOR ALIGNMENT AND INTEGRATION Year 3 and beyond: PLANNING, ASSESSMENT, INSTRUCTION AND REPORTING

How will CESA #9 support local school districts? Offer value-added service through School Improvement Membership Share the State’s commitment of equity and consistency in getting the message out ◦Foundations Presentations with stakeholder groups ◦Online resources for local use in disseminating Foundations ◦Archived Foundations Presentation for online viewing ◦Train-the-trainer workshops for Investigations of the CCSS by content-based grade-level clusters Collaborate with CESA #9 regional representatives on Wisconsin’s phase-by-phase plan Provide direct service and technical assistance as needed

What should districts be doing? Communicate a commitment to the initiative Participate in the learning opportunities Collaborate to build capacity for excellence Be thoughtful and planful in curriculum, instruction and assessment work Continue a clear focus on quality professional development CESA #9 Contacts: Jayne Werner Yvonne Vandenberg

Learn more about the CCSS at: