EngageNY.org An Introduction to the Common Core State Standards What they mean for you and your children

Tonight’s Purpose Help you understand what college readiness is and why it is important Introduce you to the new standards and help you understand what to look for and Teaches you how to help your children at home. 2

Discussion Activity: What is college readiness? At your table, discuss:  How do you know your child is ready for college?  What do children need to learn to be ready for college?  How do you know your child is ready for a career?  How can parents help? 3

What are Standards? Content Standards can be defined as: “ the minimal material within a curriculum that must be taught to students.” “ knowledge that students need to learn and skills that students should be able to do.” EngageNY.org4

5 What are the Common Core Standards? A single set of clear standards for English language arts and mathematics A tool to help students and parents set clear and realistic goals for success A first step in providing young people with the high-quality education that will prepare them for success in college and careers

What are the Common Core Standards? 6

So? What does it mean? EngageNY.org7

College and Career Readiness The new standards will get students ready for success in college and at work. EngageNY.org8 …but what does that mean?

College Readiness College readiness means that graduates have the skills they need to do well in college. EngageNY.org9 “College” doesn’t just mean a four-year degree. It can mean any program that leads to a degree or certificate. Being “ready” means that students graduate from high schools with key skills in English and mathematics.

Career Readiness Career readiness means that high school graduates are qualified for and able to do well in long-term careers. EngageNY.org10 “Career” doesn’t just mean a job. It means a profession that lets graduates succeed at a job they enjoy and earn a competitive wage.

For every 100 ninth graders… 65 graduate from high school 37 enter college 24 are still enrolled in sophomore year 12 graduate with a degree in six years Why does is this important? Because it’s what our students need

… and only 6 get a good job after graduation EngageNY.org12

The new standards will… Prepare students to succeed in college and the workforce Make sure that every child—regardless of race, ethnicity or zip code—is held to the same high standards and learns the same material Provide educators with a clear, focused roadmap for what to teach and when EngageNY.org13

EngageNY.org14 What are the Common Core Standards? A single set of clear standards for English language arts and mathematics A tool to help students and parents set clear and realistic goals for success A first step in providing young people with the high-quality education that will prepare them for success in college and careers

States that adopted the Common Core

EngageNY.org16 What’s different in the new standards? English Language Arts/Literacy: Focus on non-fiction, careful reading Discuss reading and write using evidence Increase academic vocabulary Mathematics Learn more about fewer concepts Focus on skill building, speed and accuracy Use of real world examples to better understand concepts

EngageNY.org17 So, what can parents really do to help?

Parent support can help students succeed By staying involved, informed and engaged, parents can help students be successful There are many ways to help:  Read with your children  Review and discuss their homework  Communicate with their teachers  Attend public meetings to learn more  Learn about the standards and how they affect your child’s education and school  Look through your child’s backpack each afternoon EngageNY.org18

Activity: After school routines Grab a partner and discuss your after school routines. Be specific! Ask each other questions:  How do you help your child with homework? How closely do you review it?  How closely do you review their schoolwork?  How often do you communicate with their teachers?  How do you celebrate your child’s success in school? How do you address poor performance?  What is your favorite part of your after school routine? EngageNY.org19

So? What works best? EngageNY.org20

Backpacks: What you should see 21 Real-world examples that makes what they’re learning in English and math make more sense Math homework that asks students to write out how they got their answer Writing assignments that require students to use evidence instead of opinion Books that are both fiction and non-fiction Math homework that ask students to use different methods to solve the same problem

Some questions to ask your child 22 Did you talk about anything you read in class today? Did you use evidence when you talked about what you read? Did you learn any new words in class today? What do they mean? How do you spell them? How often did you use math today? How did you use it? How did you use evidence in school today? Where did you get it?

Activity: Talking to your kids about school At your table, talk about strategies you use to get your kids talking about their days after school What questions do you ask? Do you discuss what they tell you? How do you get them excited to talk? What do you do when they refuse to talk? EngageNY.org23

What works best? EngageNY.org24

EngageNY.org25 Read as much non-fiction 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 A Closer Look: ELA/Literacy Shifts

EngageNY.org26 Focus: learn more about less Build skills across grades Develop speed and accuracy Really know it, Really do it Use it in the real world Think fast AND solve problems A Closer Look: Mathematics Shifts

EngageNY.org Resources for parents

EngageNY.org28 EngageNY

Additional resources

Closing discussion EngageNY.org30 What strategies did we discuss today that you think you might use with your children? What other information would be helpful to you? What other questions do you have?

Classroom Visits EngageNY.org31 Please head to your children’s classrooms Their teachers want to show your kids have been learning

EngageNY.org Thank you