An Introduction to the Common Core State Standards

1. An Introduction to the Common Core State Standards What they mean for you and your children EngageNY.org

2. Introductions Winton Buddington – Principal at Bay Trail MaryAnn Harrigan – House C Principal John Burke – House B Principal Deborah White – Director of Humanities Leslie Good Maloney, Ed. D.- Director of STEM EngageNY.org

3. Objectives for this Session • Help parents understand what the Common Core State Standards are and why they matter. • Provide parents with an overview of how PCSD has transitioned to the Common Core State Standards in both ELA & Math

4. What are the Common Core Standards? http://vimeo.com/51933492

5. “These Standards are not intended to be new names for old ways of doing business. They are a call to take the next step… It is time to recognize that standards are not just promises to our children, but promises we intend to keep.” -- The Common Core State Standards in Math, page 5 EngageNY.org

6. What are the Common Core Standards? • Asingle set of clear standards for English language arts and mathematics • A tool to help students and parents set clear and realistic goals for success • A first step in providing young people with the high-quality education that will prepare them for success in college and careers EngageNY.org

7. States that adopted the Common Core

8. College and Career Readiness …but what does that mean? The new standards will get students ready for success in college and the workforce. EngageNY.org

9. Activity: What is college readiness? • At your table, discuss: • What does college-readiness look like? • What do children need to learn to be ready for college?

10. College Readiness • “College” doesn’t just mean a four-year degree. It can mean any program that leads to a degree or certificate. • Being “ready” means that students graduate from high schools with key skills in English and mathematics. College readiness means that graduates have the skills they need to do well in college. EngageNY.org

11. Career Readiness • “Career” doesn’t just mean a job. It means a profession that lets graduates succeed at a job they enjoy and earn a competitive wage. Career readiness means that high school graduates are qualified for and able to do well in long-term careers. EngageNY.org

12. College Instructors and Employers Say…Graduates Are Not Prepared for College and Work Average estimated proportions of recent high school graduates who are not prepared Source: Peter D. Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion Strategies, Rising to the Challenge: Are High School Graduates Prepared for College and Work? prepared for Achieve, Inc., 2005. EngageNY.org

13. Why does this matter? Because it’s what our students need In NYS… 73% of students graduate from high school In Penfield… 94% of students graduate from high school

14. Why does the Common Core matter to Penfield? Out of 400 potential graduates 94% graduate = 376 Of the 376 graduates 90% go on to higher education = 338 Of the 338 going to higher education 88% go back a second year = 298 Out of 400 potential graduates --- 102 may not be prepared for college or careers. EngageNY.org

15. The new standards will… • Preparestudents to succeed in college and the workforce • Ensure that every child—regardless of race, ethnicity or zip code—is held to the same high standards and learns the same material • Provideeducators with a clear, focused roadmap for what to teach and when EngageNY.org

16. What’s different in the new standards? • English Language Arts/Literacy: • Focus on non-fiction, careful reading • Discuss reading and write using evidence • Increase academic vocabulary • Mathematics • Learn more about fewer concepts • Focus on skill building, speed and accuracy • Use of real world examples to better understand concepts EngageNY.org

17. A Closer Look: ELA/Literacy Shifts • Read as much non-fiction as fiction • Learn about the world by reading • Read more challenging material closely • Discuss reading using text based evidence • Write non-fiction using evidence • Increase academic vocabulary EngageNY.org

18. Range of Informational Text EngageNY.org

19. 6th grade ELA Test Question Pre Common Core • In both the Demosthenes biography and the Icarus and Daedalus myth the main characters are given advice from other people. Do you respond to advice from other people more like Demosthenes or more like Icarus? Write an essay in which you explain who you are more like when it comes to taking advice and why. Use details from both articles to support your answer.   • In your response, be sure to do the following: • tell whether you are more like Demosthenes or Icarus • explain why you respond to advice similar to Demosthenes or Icarus • use details from both passages in your response EngageNY.org

20. 6th grade ELA Test Question Post Common Core • In both the Demosthenes biography and the Icarus and Daedalus myth the main characters exhibit determination in pursuit of their goals. Did determination help both main characters reach their goals, or did it lead them to tragedy? Write an argument for whether you believe determination helped or hurt the two main characters.  In your response, be sure to do the following: • describe how determination affected the outcome in Demosthenes • describehow determination affected the outcome in Icarus and Daedalus • explainthe similarities or differences that exist in the ways determination played into the outcome of both texts • use details from both passages in your response EngageNY.org

21. A Closer Look: Mathematics Shifts • Focus: learn more about less • Build skills across grades • Develop speed and accuracy • Really know it, Really do it • Use it in the real world • Think fast AND solve problems EngageNY.org

22. Traditional U.S. Approach

23. Common Core State Standards approach

24. Math Test Question: Pre-Common Core 7.G04 Determine the surface area of prisms and cylinders, using a calculator and a variety of methods.

25. Math Test Question: Post Common Core 6.G.1 Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals, and polygons by composing into rectangles or decomposing into triangles and other shapes; apply these techniques in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems. 6.RP.1 Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities. For example, “The ratio of wings to beaks in the bird house at the zoo was 2:1, because for every 2 wings there was 1 beak.”“For every vote candidate A received, candidate C received nearly three votes.”

26. Penfield’s Transition to CCSS January 2011: Board of Regents approves Common Core State Standards in ELA & Math Spring 2011- Present: Penfield administrators and teachers work to transition curriculum in ELA & Math to be aligned to the Common Core April 2013: NYS 3-8 ELA & Math Tests aligned to the Common Core EngageNY.org

27. Bay Trail’s Transition to CCSSWork to date…. There is more work to be done… ELA & Math Teachers utilize Grade Level Meetings, Department Meetings, summer curriculum work sessions to revise units ELA & Math Teachers attend Common Core specific Professional Development ELA & Math Teachers have informed their colleagues on the shifts within the Common Core State Standards EngageNY.org

28. What can parents do to help? EngageNY.org

29. Parent support can help students succeed • By staying involved, informed and engaged, parents can help students be successful There are many ways to help: • Read with your children • Reviewand discuss their homework • Communicate with their teachers • Attendpublic meetings to learn more • Learnabout the standards and how they affect your child’s education and school • Lookthrough your child’s backpack each afternoon EngageNY.org

30. Resources for parents EngageNY.org

31. EngageNY EngageNY.org

32. Closing discussion EngageNY.org What other questions do you have? What other information would be helpful to you?