Common Core State Standards

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a rigorous set of standards that identify the learning outcomes in English language arts and mathematics that prepare students to be successful in entry level college courses and career training programs.

CCSS Mathematics | CCSS English Language Arts

Critical 21st century skills are embedded within the Common Core State Standards. These include critical thinking, communication, creativity, collaboration and contextual learning and are referred to as the C’s of Change.

To design relevant lessons that are aligned to the Common Core State Standards educators must become familiar with the structure, language and vocabulary of the Common Core State Standards.

Learning to develop both formative and summative assessments is also necessary to help teachers’ focus on meeting these critical learning targets with their students.

Resources

The NH State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards at their July 8, 2010 meeting, committing to a thoughtful, orderly transition process for implementation and assessment to ensure that all New Hampshire students experience a successful and productive future.

  1. [NH] Common Core State Standards/New Assessment Systems
  2. About the Standards
  3. Achieving the Common Core
  4. Education NorthWest [Introductory Handout for teachers]
  5. The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) [Handout]

Mathematics

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics begin with eight Standards for Mathematical Practice. These standards describe ways in which students should engage with the content, processes, and proficiencies of longstanding importance in mathematics. They apply across all of the grades, K–12.

  1. Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
  2. Understanding the K-12 Common Core State Standards in Mathematics
  3. Nation Council of Supervisors of Math [NCSM]
  4. The Illustrative Mathematics Project: The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics

English Language Arts

The Reading standards place equal emphasis on the sophistication of what students read and the skill with which they read.

  1. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts [& Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects]

Assessment

  1. Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) for $170 million...

    PARCC consists of the District of Columbia plus 25 states that include AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC and TN

    According to the Department of Education, PARCC will “replace the one end-of-year high stakes accountability test with a series of assessments throughout the year that will be averaged into one score for accountability purposes” (emphasis added)

  2. SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) for $160 million

SBAC consists of 31 states that include AL, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, KS, KY, ME, MI, MO, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WV

SBAC will test students using computer adaptive technology that will ask students tailored questions based on their previous answers.

SBAC “will continue to use one test at the end of the year for accountability purposes,” but will also create a series of interim tests used to inform students, parents, and teachers about whether students are on track.

Included twelve states that participated in both consortia: AL, CO, DE, GA, KY, ND, NH, NJ, OH, OK, PA, and SC

Did not have any participation from six states (Alaska, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming) plus American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands participated in neither consortium

Is scheduled for implementation by the 2014-15 school year.

Will, as noted above, include annual multiple administration of standardized tests to students that, as the Department of Education notes, “could replace already existing tests, such as interim assessments that are in common use in many classrooms today” (emphasis added)