The
Common Core State Standards are a set of content standards for math and
English language arts and a set of Literacy standards for all other
subjects. So far, they have been adopted by 45 states, the Department
of Defense Education Activity, Washington D.C., and four territories.
They should be fully integrated into every classroom starting the
2014-2015 school year, and they will be tested that year. For Oklahoma,
they are part of the C3
Standards that are being rolled out now. In math, there is a shift for
rigor, coherence and focus. Meaning that students are covering less
information deeper, across grades, more accurately, and with meaning.
Students should know why they are solving a problem they way they are
and how it relates to the problem overall. There is also a big focus on
modeling in math. That means that students are solving real world
problems in context. Common Core says that they want to give students
problems worth solving.
In ELA there is a shift towards comprehension of texts and making claims and providing evidence from text. The content standards come from Common Core, but they are not prescriptive, telling teachers what to teach. Common Core says they want students reading texts worth reading. There is a shift in lexile levels, and most likely novels and books that teachers loved teaching, will shift down to lower grades. Non-fiction is a big push for Common Core because, realistically, when students get into college or a workplace, how often are they reading fiction? Rarely ever. The Core wants students to be prepared for college or a career, and non-fiction is part of that. That does not mean, however, that literature is taken away. Non-fiction should be integrated throughout an English classroom, but also in every other class.
The Literacy standards are new for every subject (other than math, but hey, they would be good in math too!). This is where non-fiction in each subject should be integrated. That means that science teachers should be reading articles about science, and art teacher about art, social studies classes should be reading documents and biographies. This extends to physical education and to agriculture as well. Any class being taught should incorporate these standards. Part of literacy is reading, but students must also be writing about these readings. That doesn’t mean essays, but writing like a historian, or an artist. Speaking and listening is part of literacy as well, so students should be doing those things and critiquing the speaking of each other.
In Oklahoma, students will be assessed in math and ELA (and literacy) by the PARCC assessment. This will be a two part assessment starting in the spring of 2015. These assessments will require students to test on a computer or tablet. The tests are will use Universal Design, which means when students are not being tested on reading comprehension, they will have the option of having the assessment read to them. Also, they will be able to manipulate the size of the font, and some words will be able to be defined. These assessments will also eliminate students who can guess their way out of an assessment. Justification and evidence will be required when taking the test, and partial credit will be given.
The thing that scares me about Common Core is that it is a big transition, and will be implemented very soon. I don’t think many teachers have started the change, and that will be detrimental to many students come 2015. Also, I expect a large drop in state scores because that is what happens when a huge shift comes along. I hope that people realize this will occur. It is going to be a shift for not only the students, but many teachers.
To find out more about common core there are many blogs and websites available. Corestandards.org, parcconline.org, ccsstoolbox.com are among the few that I visit regularly. You can also follow @parcc on twitter and subscribe to their newsletter. The K20 Center at the University of Oklahoma also does professional development on common core as well as many other things!
In ELA there is a shift towards comprehension of texts and making claims and providing evidence from text. The content standards come from Common Core, but they are not prescriptive, telling teachers what to teach. Common Core says they want students reading texts worth reading. There is a shift in lexile levels, and most likely novels and books that teachers loved teaching, will shift down to lower grades. Non-fiction is a big push for Common Core because, realistically, when students get into college or a workplace, how often are they reading fiction? Rarely ever. The Core wants students to be prepared for college or a career, and non-fiction is part of that. That does not mean, however, that literature is taken away. Non-fiction should be integrated throughout an English classroom, but also in every other class.
The Literacy standards are new for every subject (other than math, but hey, they would be good in math too!). This is where non-fiction in each subject should be integrated. That means that science teachers should be reading articles about science, and art teacher about art, social studies classes should be reading documents and biographies. This extends to physical education and to agriculture as well. Any class being taught should incorporate these standards. Part of literacy is reading, but students must also be writing about these readings. That doesn’t mean essays, but writing like a historian, or an artist. Speaking and listening is part of literacy as well, so students should be doing those things and critiquing the speaking of each other.
In Oklahoma, students will be assessed in math and ELA (and literacy) by the PARCC assessment. This will be a two part assessment starting in the spring of 2015. These assessments will require students to test on a computer or tablet. The tests are will use Universal Design, which means when students are not being tested on reading comprehension, they will have the option of having the assessment read to them. Also, they will be able to manipulate the size of the font, and some words will be able to be defined. These assessments will also eliminate students who can guess their way out of an assessment. Justification and evidence will be required when taking the test, and partial credit will be given.
The thing that scares me about Common Core is that it is a big transition, and will be implemented very soon. I don’t think many teachers have started the change, and that will be detrimental to many students come 2015. Also, I expect a large drop in state scores because that is what happens when a huge shift comes along. I hope that people realize this will occur. It is going to be a shift for not only the students, but many teachers.
To find out more about common core there are many blogs and websites available. Corestandards.org, parcconline.org, ccsstoolbox.com are among the few that I visit regularly. You can also follow @parcc on twitter and subscribe to their newsletter. The K20 Center at the University of Oklahoma also does professional development on common core as well as many other things!
I don't think we are suppose to comment on this blog, but I wanted to read yours.
ReplyDeleteWhat is K20 doing to help administrators, and maybe state administrators, adjust to the fact that the first year or so of testing may have a skewed outcome due to change and a learning curve? Is there anything being said about how to breathe deeply and just get thought the first two years?
Also, what are they doing about getting enough computers or tablets into the schools for the testing? As an architect currently, we are still building schools without computer labs because they don't think anymore then 30 computers in the media center are necessary. I just want to ask them what they are going to do in 3 years when they have to test (they don't do COWs either).
Anyways, I'm excited about Common Core, but that's because that is how I am learning to teach, unlike other teachers apwho are being forced to change.
Hopefully I answered the questions on Saturday, but just to reiterate...The K20 Center does work with school administrators before their schools are visited by us. They must come to a leadership training that addresses the basics of Common Core, change theory, and how there needs to be a district transition plan.
ReplyDeleteSome of the heads of content at the state department are previous K20 employees (4 right now that I know of), so they are also aware of what we are. I talked to someone at the state department, and they expect a %15 drop in scores during the 2014-2015 school year. They are aware that that will occur.
Technology is really up to the schools and districts. I assume that there will be bond issues coming out to help fund these technology needs. I know the state has sent out multiple surveys about the amount of technology in each schools. I hope that they aren't building computer labs because they expect teachers to have computers in their classrooms (maybe I'm slightly idealistic). I don't really know what will happen if schools don't have computers ready in time for testing, but I think that as educators we need to let students explore and learn how technology can benefit us and how to use it correctly.