1. Mississippi Department of Education
Common Core State Standards and Assessments
Mathematics and English/Language Arts
Thank you for participating in this important conference and for playing such critical roles in raising the bar on student achievement in your communities and states.
The following presentation is an overview of the of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act K-12 grants at the U.S. Department of Education in the context of our overall vision for strengthening our school systems throughout the nation.
Lynn J. House, Ph.D.
Deputy State Superintendent

2. What is the CCSS Initiative?
An initiative of the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)
A significant and historic opportunity for states to collectively develop and adopt a core set of academic standards in Mathematics and English/Language Arts 2

3. Why is this initiative important?
Provides consistency across states
Allows for equal access
Prepares students to compete globally
Allows for more focused professional development
Allows for the development of a common assessment
Provides the opportunity to compare and evaluate policies that affect student achievement across states 3

4. What are the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)?
Fewer, clearer, and higher
Aligned with college and work expectations
Rigorous content requiring higher-order thinking and application of knowledge
Internationally benchmarked
Evidence-and/or research-based 4

5. Shift from “What’s Taught” to “What Students Need to Be Able to Do”
To succeed in 21st century college and careers, students need to be able to:
5. Reflect on /
improve performance
6. Communicate
7. Work in teams
8. Create / innovate / critique
1. Solve problems
2. Manage oneself
3. Adapt to change
4. Analyze /
conceptualize
9. Engage in learning throughout life 5

6. Instructional Delivery System
At a minimum, to successfully implement Common Core State Standards and Assessments, TEACHERS must:
Know how to plan intentionally for rigorous and deep learning experiences.
Know how to design and utilize formative assessment that ensures retention and the ability to apply learning.
Be able to create a learning environment that fosters deep thinking, engagement of students, integration of subject areas, and problem-based learning experiences.
Must be able to analyze and use a variety of data to drive instructional practice.
Must embrace continuous professional learning.

7. CCSSO/NGA Process Fall 2009 January 2010 February 2010 June 2, 2010
-Released draft of College/Career Readiness Standards to states and public
January 2010
-Released several drafts of
K-12 Standards to states
February 2010
-Released draft K-12
Standards to the public
June 2, 2010
-Released Final K-12 Standards
June 2010
-Adopted by MS State Board
of Education 7

8. Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
Key design considerations:
Individual grade levels in K-8
Solid foundation for grades K-5 in whole numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals
Solid foundation for grades 6-8 in geometry, algebra, and probability and statistics
Conceptual categories such as algebra, functions and modeling in grades

9. Mathematics Alignment Examples
CCSS Math 3rd grade
Fluently multiply and divide within 100.
Understand two fractions as equivalent.
MS Math 4th grade
Recall multiplication and division facts.
Model and identify equivalent fractions.

10. Alignment of CCSS for Math and MS Math Framework
Initial alignment study done “in-house” and additional study done by SEDL
Overall alignment is not good
-Many specifics in the CCSS are addressed in the MS Math Framework but at a lower
grade level(s)
-Several of the MS Math Framework
objectives are not mentioned in the
Common Core
CCSS for Math are more rigorous than the MS Math Framework 10

11. Key design considerations:
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
Key design considerations:
Sections divided by Strands for K-5 and 6-12
Reading
Writing
Speaking and Listening
Language

12. ELA Alignment Examples
CCSS ELA 3rd grade
With guidance and support from peers and adults, strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.
MS ELA 3rd grade
Use an appropriate composing process (e.g., planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing/sharing) to compose or edit.

13. Alignment of CCSS English Language Arts (ELA) and MS ELA
Initial alignment study done “in-house” and additional study done by SEDL
Overall alignment is good
-Few specifics in the CCSS are not addressed
in the MS ELA Framework or not addressed
at the same grade level
-Many of the MS ELA Framework
objectives and sub-objectives are not
mentioned in the Common Core
Rigor is comparable 13

14. RttT Assessment Proposals
The Process:
Proposals were due from multi-state consortia on June 23, 2010
Awards were made in September, 2010
New Consortia tests to replace current state NCLB tests in
Two Comprehensive Assessment Proposals Funded:
Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)
26 states, 31 million students K-12
SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)
31 states, 21 million students K-12
Note: 12 states currently in both and 6 states in neither
Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS

15. RTTT Assessment Program Requirements
Build upon shared standards for college/career readiness;
Measure individual growth as well as proficiency;
Measure the extent each student is on track, at each grade level tested, toward college/career readiness by high school completion, and provide information that is useful in informing:
Teaching, learning, and program improvement;
Determinations of school effectiveness;
Determinations of educator effectiveness for use in evaluations and provision of support to teachers/principals;
Determinations of individual student college/career readiness, through high school exit decisions, college course placement into credit-bearing classes, and/or college entrance.
Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS

16. PARCC – Two Types of Summative Assessments
FOCUSED
ASSESSMENTS
END OF YEAR
COMPREHENSIVE
ASSESSMENT
Taken on computer, with mixed
item types
Scored entirely by computer for
fast results
One to three tasks that assess a
few “keystone” standards/topics
Given at three points during the
school year, near the end of quarters
Results within 2 weeks to inform
instruction and intervention
Scores from both focused & end-of-yr. assessments will be combined for annual accountability score.
Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS

17. PARCC: Focused Assessments 1 and 2
25%
Focused
ASSESSMENT 1
ELA
Math
50%
Focused
ASSESSMENT 2
ELA
Math
In a single session/class period, students in grades will:
ELA: Read texts, draw evidence to form conclusions, and prepare a written analysis
Math: For each of 1 or 2 essential topics (standards or clusters of standards), complete 1 to 3 constructed response tasks
Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS

18. PARCC: Focused Assessment 3
75%
Focused
ASSESSMENT 3
ELA
Math
Over several sessions/class periods, students will complete a project-like task that draws on a range of skills. Examples:
ELA: Locate digital information, evaluate and
select sources, and compose an essay or
research paper
Math: Perform a multi-step performance task
that requires application of mathematical
skills and reasoning and may require
technological tools
Focused
ASSESSMENT4
Speaking
Listening
Speaking/Listening task: Conducted in classroom,
not used for accountability, scored by teacher.
Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS

19. PARCC: End-of-Year Assessment
90%
END OF YEAR
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
Composed of 40 to 65 questions of a range of item types including innovative technology- enhanced items to sample the full year of standards
Scored by computer
Will make major investment in enhanced item types
Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS

20. PARCC: Resources, Tools, Supports
PARTNERSHIP RESOURCE CENTER: Digital library of released items, formative assessments, model curriculum frameworks, curriculum resources, student and educator tutorials and practice tests, scoring training modules, and professional development materials
Partnership Resource Center:
Interactive Data Tool for accessing data and creating customized reports
Exemplar lesson plans
Formative assessment items and tasks
Professional development materials regarding test administration,
scoring, and use of data
Online practice tests
Item development portal
Tools and resources developed by Partner states
Optional “ready-to-use” performance tasks for K-2
Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS

21. English Language Arts and Mathematics, Grades 3 - 11
The PARCC System
English Language Arts and Mathematics, Grades
25%
Focused
ASSESSMENT 1
ELA
Math
50%
Focused
ASSESSMENT 2
ELA
Math
75%
Focused
ASSESSMENT 3
ELA
Math
90%
END OF YEAR
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
PARTNERSHIP RESOURCE CENTER: Digital library of released items, formative assessments, model curriculum frameworks, curriculum resources, student and educator tutorials and practice tests, scoring training modules, and professional development materials
Focused
ASSESSMENT4
Speaking
Listening
Summative assessment for accountability
Required, but
not used for accountability
Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS

22. Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS
Basic PARCC Timeline
Development/approval of common policies/procedures
Initial item and task development, piloting of components
Development of PD resources & online platform
Field testing
Field testing
New summative assessments in use
Summer Setting of common achievement standards
Center for K – 12 Assessment & Performance Management at ETS

23. http://parcconline.org/ http://PARCConline.org About PARCC
PARCC is a 25-state consortium working together to develop next-generation K-12 assessments in English and math. 
PARCC benefits:
Students who will know if they are on track to graduate ready for college and careers
Teachers with regular results available to guide learning and instruction
Parents with clear and timely information about the progress of their children
States with valid results that are comparable across the 25 member states
The nation as it is based on college- and career-ready, internationally-benchmarked CCSS
Learn more about PARCC
PARCC Place
We are very excited to share the new website for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers!
Whether you are an educator, policymaker, parent, student or simply an engaged member of the public, this website offers useful  information on the Common Core State Standards and PARCC assessments.
Read more

24. Next Steps for MDE
Continue to meet with stakeholder groups (K-12 and IHL) to
- review findings of the alignment study (DONE)
- develop a crosswalk (DONE)
- determine 9-12 courses (IN PROGRESS)
- make resources known to stakeholders (IN PROGRESS)
- align/revise PK3 and PK4 guidelines (IN PROGRESS)
Conduct regional awareness sessions & webinars through RESAs
(DONE)
Format the CCSS to reflect the structure of the MS Curriculum Frameworks (TBD)
Revise/develop instructional materials (suggested teaching strategies, resources, & assessment aids) and offer training (TBD)
Conduct Train-the-Trainer Sessions (IN PROGRESS)
Determine which policies/procedures need adjustment (TBD)
Plan transition to new assessments (IN PROGRESS)
Continue working with PARCC to implement assessments
(IN PROGRESS)

25. Implementation Timeline
Chart below illustrates proposed implementation schedule
pending funding and additional PARCC resources.
Summer
2011
Fall
2011
Spring 2012
Summer 2012
Fall
2012
Spring
2013
Summer
2013
Grades
K – 2
3 – 5
6 – 8
9 – 12
Follow Up
Follow Up
Training
Follow Up
Follow Up
Training
Training
Follow Up
Follow Up
Follow Up
Follow Up
Training
K-12 follow-up sessions will occur around the state in late summer 2013.

26. Common Core Website List of Resources
(Key Resources)
Reaching Higher: the Common Core State Standards Validation Committee
Summary of Public Feedback for K-12 Standards
Summary of Public Feedback for College and Career Readiness Standards
Common Core State Standards Criteria
Common Core State Standards Considerations
Joint International Benchmarking Report
Key Points of the English Language Arts Standards
Key Points of the Math Standards
Cont.

27. Common Core Website List of Resources
9. Frequently Asked Question
10. Myths vs. Facts
11. Common Core Standards PowerPoint-March 2010
12. Common Core State Standards Webinar (PowerPoint presentation) June 30, 2010  
(Hot Topics)
13. CCSS MASA Powerpoint, October 2010
14. CCSS Powerpoint and Webinar, November 30, 2010
15. Common Core State Standards Initiative: Key Resources

28. Questions??

29. Common Core Website http://www.corestandards.org/ MDE Website
(hot topics)
Contact Information
Trecina Green
Bureau Director
Curriculum and Instruction
Mississippi Department of Education