2. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set of sequential benchmarks that identify what a child needs to have learned and be able to do by the end of each grade. The ultimate goal is for each student to graduate ready and able to move on to college or into a career.

3. Educators from 45 states worked together to create a uniform set of expectations for all students. The standards were developed by a partnership with the states, teachers, school administrators, education experts, parents, and business leaders from around the country.

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s0rRk9sER0

5. Students deserve an education that prepares them for real success—and jobs—in a rapidly changing world. The standards focus on the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the real world and thrive in the global workforce. The Common Core’s expectations for students are appropriate and consistent for students of all abilities, no matter where they live.

6. More and more jobs require technology and higher- order thinking skills. Generalized education standards that don’t relate to the skills actually needed after graduation produce graduates who may or may not have learned what they need to be successful on the job or in college.

7. The CCSS are clear and consistent. -For decades, each state’s educational standards were different from all the others. -Some states had rigorous, detailed standards. Other states had standards that were vague and open to interpretation. -These new standards raise the bar for every state and student by taking the best of what each state had to offer with numerous stakeholder input.

8. The new standards are designed to help students of all abilities achieve. They focus on problem solving and critical thinking skills—not just memorizing answers. How students learn is just as important as what they learn; the CCSS support different learning styles and educational levels.

9. The CC addresses K-12 math, English Language Arts, science and social studies. There are no separate CCSS for other subjects. Some concepts that were taught in higher grades before may be taught in lower grades under the CC..

10. Text recommended under the Common Core will be more complex than what was used under New Jersey’s old standards. Before Common Core: English classes may have focused mostly on literature and creative writing. With Common Core: There is a greater emphasis on reading, writing and understanding informational text (non-fiction). Literature and creative writing are still in the curriculum, but to a lesser degree.

11. The CCSS for English Language Arts are divided into sections for K-5 and 6-12. The standards for all grades fall into the following domains, or groups of related standards: Reading: covers analysis and understanding of literature and informational text. Writing: deals with argumentative, narrative, and expository writing; organization; and research. Speaking and Listening: focuses on comprehension, presentations, and working with others. Language: includes grammar usage, punctuation, vocabulary, and other conventions of language.

12. Shift 1: FOCUS Teachers significantly narrow and deepen the scope of how time and energy is spent in the math classroom. They do so in order to focus deeply on only the concepts that are prioritized in the standards. Shift 2: COHERENCE Principals and teachers carefully connect the learning within and across grades so that students can build new understanding onto foundations built in previous years. Shift 3: FLUENCY It will be assumed students possess required fluencies through grade 8; as such, students will not be allowed to use calculators in grades 3-5.

13. Shift 4: DEEP UNDERSTANDING Students deeply understand and can operate easily within a math concept before moving on. They learn more than the trick to get the answer right. They learn the math. Shift 5: APPLICATION Students are expected to use math and choose the appropriate concept for application even when they are not prompted to do so. Shift 6: DUAL INTENSITY Students are practicing and understanding. There is more than a balance between these two things in the classroom – both are occurring with intensity.

14. GradeContent Emphases by Cluster 6 Ratios and Proportional Reasoning; The Number System; Expressions and Equations 7 8 Expressions and Equations; Functions; Geometry

15. Yes Instructional materials will need to align to the new specific standards. The order in which skills build upon one another in the Common Core is different from what has been taught in the past. The Common Core focuses on critical thinking skills.

16. PARCC Assessments are currently being developed. In New Jersey, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is developing common national assessments for the common core. The new assessments are planned for the 2014-2015 school year.

17. The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Computer based assessments in English Language Arts/Literacy and math linked to the new more rigorous Common Core State Standards.

18. Current assessments do not: Assess and identify whether a student is on track for success in college or the work force Accurately identify how students compare to students in the state, country and the rest of the world Produce timely feedback for educators and parents as a result of being a computer based assessment Test skills of critical thinking and problem solving

19. In 2014 – 2015 the PARCC Assessments will replace NJ ASK in grades 3-8. In addition, End of Course Assessments will be administered to students taking Unified Math and Algebra. These scores will be directly reflected on the students’ high school transcripts. PARCC Assessments are comprised of two sections - Performance Based Assessments - PBA – taken after 75% of school year - End of Year Assessment – EOY – Taken after 90% of school year

20. Our curricula is aligned to the Common Core Students are performing computer based assessments throughout the year We are upgrading the computers in the building The number of computers in the building has increased to meet the demands of the PARCC We are participating in a PARCC field test

21. 9/9 Rating in terms of technology readiness We can get our testing done during each window in 12 days even though the state allows for 20 Students will have AM and PM testing sessions Accommodations will remain in place – just like NJAsk All students will be able to use paper and pencil as they complete the computer based assessment Student results will be available by the end of the school year with PARCC

22. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. ~Robert C. Gallagher