SHEEO Working Conference onCollege Readiness

and the Common Core Assessments

Boulder, ColoradoMarch 3, 2011

Lucille E. Davy, Senior Advisor

Why Common Core State Standards?

• Disparate standards across states – student mobility

• College remediation• Entry-level workforce skill

deficiencies• 21st century global competition• Technology’s impact on the workplace

Advantages of common standards

Consistent learning goals for all students regardless of where they live; faithful implementation

Too many students graduating from high school and passing required tests but not ready for college and career success

Opportunities for system efficiencies so resources can be dedicated to improving student performance

Criteria for the CCSS• Fewer, clearer and higher• Aligned with college and work

expectations• Collaborative development building

upon the best of existing state standards

• Based on evidence and research• Internationally benchmarked to

ensure students are globally competitive

Advances in the ELA Standards• Text complexity• Clear vertical progressions across grades

• Balance of literature and informational texts; background knowledge

• Literacy standards for science and history/social studies – content teachers also responsible for literacy skills

• Writing to persuade and inform

Advances in the ELA StandardsSpeakingListeningMedia and technology are integrated

http://www.dubuque.k12.ia.us/cartoons

Advances in the Math Standards• Address the “math wars” –

conceptual understanding and computational fluency

• Eliminate the “mile wide – inch deep” approach

• Focus in the early grades on numbers to build a solid foundation including mastery of arithmetic, operations, and fractions

Algebra is the gateway…

Learninglaffs.com

Advances in the Math Standards• High school math focus on using and

applying math to solve complex and real world problems

• Develop understanding of real world applications and data in middle and high school years

• Optional path described for students interested in STEM-focused college programs and careers

Implementation – Critical Next Steps

• Curriculum• Instructional materials (including

technology based; open source)• Assessment system• Accountability• Teacher pre-service preparation and

professional development

Higher Education Collaboration

Higher education engagement and partnerships are needed for several aspects of implementationAssessmentsProfessional developmentTeacher/school leader preparation

Implementation – Teacher Preparation and Professional Development

• Professional development to support teaching of the Common Core – new expectations

• Attention to the needs of all learners – including students with disabilities and English language learners

• Transformation of teacher education programs

Changing Assessments…

learninglaffs.com

Implementation of Assessments

• Review of current state assessments• Analysis of improved alignment to

the Common Core – and possible modifications

• Transition to new assessment system – including formative and benchmark

• Accountability transition – raising the bar to meet true college and career-readiness

Two Assessment ConsortiaPartnership for the Assessment of

Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)“governing” states include NY, FL, MA,

AZ, MD, LA, IL and IN; participating states include CA, PA, OH, NJ, KY

quarterly “through-course” testsperformance tasks and computer

enhanced items

Two Assessment ConsortiaSmarter Balanced Assessment

Consortium“governing” states include NC, WA,

OR, WI, MI and CT; participating states include CO, SC, KY, NJ and PA

common summative; formative tools curriculum embedded performance

tasksonline adaptive; artificial intelligence

James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy

www.corestandards.orgwww.hunt-institute.orglucille.davy@gmail.com