1. Common Core State Standards May 2011

2. Background
The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort to establish consistent and clear education standards for English language arts and mathematics so students will be prepared for success in today’s world.
The Initiative was launched in 2009 by state leaders through their membership in the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center).

3. Why is this important?
Currently, every state has its own set of academic standards, meaning public education students in each state are learning to different levels
All students must be prepared to compete with not only their American peers in the next state, but with students from around the world 3

4. What are the Common Core State Standards?
Aligned with college, work, and life expectations
Focused and coherent
Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills
Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards
Internationally benchmarked so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society
Based on evidence and research 4 4

5. Standards Development Process
College and career readiness standards developed in summer 2009
Based on the college and career readiness standards, K-12 learning progressions developed
Multiple rounds of feedback from states, teachers, researchers, higher education, and the general public
Final Common Core State Standards released on June 2, 2010 5 5

6. South Carolina’s Adoption of the CCSS
State adoption is voluntary.
States may adopt the Common Core State Standards in its entirety or in its entirety with the option of adding up to an additional 15% state specific content.
On July 14, 2010, South Carolina became one of thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia to adopt the Common Core State Standards.

7. Prior to adoption by the State Board of Education and the Education Oversight Committee…
A Common Core State Standards Comparative Review
Process was conducted which focused on
Process details
Rigor and alignment and
Expert perspectives
I have a copy if you are interested in reading it.

8. Findings from the Comparative Review Process…
Overall content alignment was 97%
Cognitive levels meet or exceed current South Carolina Academic Standards
External alignment and review has also been conducted

9. Timeline for the Implementation of the Common Core State Standards in South Carolina
Planning, Awareness, and Alignment
Transition and Professional Development
Transition and Professional Development
Implementation (Bridge Year)
Full Implementation

10. What is being created as support?
Work groups have determined priority “gap” areas. These areas will be the basis for the development of an Implementation ToolKit.

11. Assessment Consortia
South Carolina is currently a member of two assessment consortia – SMARTER Balanced and PARCC.
These consortia will develop common assessments as well as other instructional resources and supports.
South Carolina will determine which consortium it will use at a future date.

12. Design and Organization
Three main sections
K−5 (cross-disciplinary)
6−12 English Language Arts
6−12 Literacy in History/Social Studies,
Science, and Technical Subjects
Shared responsibility for students’ literacy development
Three appendices
A: Research and evidence; glossary of key terms
B: Reading text exemplars; sample performance tasks
C: Annotated student writing samples 12

13. English Language Arts: Design and Organization
Four strands
Reading (including Reading Foundational Skills)
Writing
Speaking and Listening
Language
Media requirements blended throughout

14. What is different? Writing types/purposes (standards 1−3)
Writing arguments, informative/explanatory texts, narratives
Exemplar Student Samples
Strong and growing across-the-curriculum emphasis on students writing arguments and informative/explanatory texts
Research is embedded in these standards
Technology and electronic production is addressed
Aligned with NAEP Writing framework 14

15. Key Advances Reading Writing Speaking and Listening Language
Balance of literature and informational texts
Text complexity
Writing
Emphasis on argument and informative/explanatory writing
Writing about sources
Speaking and Listening
Inclusion of formal and informal talk
Language
Stress on general academic and domain-specific vocabulary

16. Key Advances Standards for reading and writing in history/
social studies, science, and technical subjects
Complement rather than replace content standards
in those subjects
Responsibility of teachers in those subjects
Alignment with college and career readiness
expectations

17. Mathematics: Design and Organization
Teach less; learn more!
Because the mathematics concepts in [U.S.] textbooks are often weak, the presentation becomes more mechanical than is ideal. We looked at both traditional and non-traditional textbooks used in the US and found this conceptual weakness in both.— Ginsburg et al., 2005
Much greater emphasis on conceptual knowledge and stronger foundations
Domains depend upon grade level

18. Mathematics: Design and Organization

19. Standards…Important but insufficient
To be effective in improving education and getting all students ready for college, workforce training, and life, the Standards must be partnered with a content-rich curriculum and robust assessments, both aligned to the standards.
Teacher Toolbox

20. For more information
I have included the following documents in the I sent prior to this meeting.
-CCSS Math Standards
-CCSS ELA Standards
-ELA Appendix A: Research and Glossary
-ELA Appendix A: Samples of Student Writing
-ELA Appendix B: Text Exemplars and Sample Performance Tasks

21. www.corestandards.org For more information
For more information about the Common Core State Standards Initiative or to access the standards, please visit…