PA Core Standards at Solanco

1. Solanco School Board 9/9/2013 PA Core Standards at Solanco

2. Common Core at Solanco • The Common Core Standards have been subject to criticism and controversy • We believe the new standards are better than the older PA Standards and will prove beneficial for Solanco students

3. What are the Common Core Standards? • Mathematics PreK-12 • English/Language Arts PreK-12 • Reading for Science and Technical Subjects 6-12 • Writing for Science and Technical Subjects 6-12 • Reading for History and Social Studies 6-12 • Writing for History and Social Studies 6-12

4. Who Developed the Common Core Standards? Common Core Standards were developed by two groups: • The National Governors Association (NGA) • Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) * Funded largely by the Gates Foundation

5. Common Core Development • The National Governors Association is the organization of the nation's governors. • The Council of Chief State School Officers is a nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions.

6. Drafting the Standards • CCSSO and the NGA Center led the standards’ development process in consultation with teachers, parents, experts and administrators. Several working groups and committees were formed.They include the: • Standards Development Work Group – responsible for determining and writing the common core state standards. • Feedback Group – provides information backed by research to inform the standards development process by offering expert input on draft documents. • Validation Committee – nominated by states and national organizations and selected by a group of 12 governors and chiefs who hold leadership positions at NGA Center and CCSSO.

7. PA Adopts the Common Core • Pennsylvania agreed that the Common Core will represent at least 85% of academic standards in reading and math. • Pennsylvania accepted $41.3 million in Race to the Top funds. • PA changed the name of Common Core to “PA Core Standards”

8. PA Adopts the Common Core, 2 • Keystone Exams in Literature and Algebra are aligned to PA Core Standards • The PSSAs in grades 3-8 will be aligned to Common Core in Math and Reading in 2014-2015

9. Solanco’s Response • Accelerated curriculum revision grades K-12 in English/LA and math (more than twice as fast as usual) • Significant number of teachers are involved in the process • Target is full implementation for 2014-2015

10. Concerns with Common Core • Politics at the national level (creation) • Concerns about local control • Federal government incentivizing states to adopt • PA resident backlash because of scope of reforms • Costly to districts

11. Concerns with Common Core, 2 • Disagreement among national validation committee members – some said it was a “step backward” in mathematics • Increased emphasis on non-fiction reading and a de-emphasis on classic literature • Handwriting/penmanship is reduced

12. Solanco’s View of PA Core Standards • We believe the math and reading standards are clearer, more focused, and more rigorous • As a result of this revision, our students will read more (literature canon) • The standards for writing are a great improvement over the old PA Standards • Handwriting Without Tears K-4 starting this year • Estimated $290,000 to respond to the standards change • $200,000 of the cost funded through the Keystone Grant Solanco received. Title I funds have been used for another $20,000. • Estimated $70,000 in district funds (including 30+ for new grade 7 math text)

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