common core state standards: what parents need to know
TRANSCRIPT
Common Core State Standards:
What Parents Need to Know
Presentation Overview
Current Conditions
Common Core
Solutions
Moving Forward
Students are more likely to succeed if parents
are involved!
Michigan’s Commitment to Closing the Expectations Gap
• In 2006, Michigan aligned its high school academic standards in mathematics and English with college- and career-ready expectations.
• In 2006, Michigan adopted college- and career-ready graduation requirements – the Michigan Merit Curriculum – for all students. These requirements first took effect for the Class 2011.
• Michigan requires all students to take the ACT, along with sections of WorkKeys and state-developed tests, as part of its high school assessment system, the Michigan Merit Exam.
• Michigan adopted the Common Core State Standards in June 2010.
• Michigan is a Governing State in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), a consortium of states working to develop a common assessment system using Race to the Top Common Assessment funds.
• Michigan is a Lead State Partner in the development of the Next Generation Science Standards.
– The Economic Imperative: A high school diploma is no longer enough; now, nearly every good job requires some education beyond high school and all students need to be academically prepared to compete for good jobs in the global economy.
– The Equity Imperative: Far too many students drop out or graduate from high school unprepared for success. Students in minority groups drop out and fail to attain postsecondary credentials at much higher rates than their counterparts.
– The Expectations Imperative: The bar has been set too low for too long, keeping students from reaching their full potential, closing doors and limiting their post-high school options and opportunities.
Current Conditions
Current Conditions In 1950, 60% of jobs were classified as unskilled, attainable by young
people with high school diplomas or less. Today, 20% of jobs are considered to be unskilled.
One result: The demand for middle- and high-skilled workers is outpacing the state’s supply of workers educated and experienced at that level.
80% of Michigan’s jobs are middle or high skills (jobs that require some postsecondary education or training).
Yet only 36% of Michigan’s adults have some postsecondary degree (associate’s or higher).
National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, analysis of 2009 American Community Survey. http://www.higheredinfo.org
The Value of Education
Source: Carnevale, Anthony P. et al. (June 2010). Help Wanted: Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018. Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce. ww9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/FullReport.pdf
“1 in 5 high school students failed to qualify for enlistment in the Army based on their Armed Forces Qualification Test score.
Students of color were more likely to fail the test.”
http://www.edtrust.org/sites/edtrust.org/files/publications/files/ASVAB_4.pdf
9Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2011). Current Population Survey. Figures are based on the total persons in the civilian labor force. http://www.census.gov/cps/data/cpstablecreator.html
Personal Benefits: Higher Earnings and Rates of Employment
Michigan Statistics: Total Unemployment: 11%, Mean Income: $30,561
Too Many Students Remain Off Track to Success: Of Every 100 9th Graders in
Michigan…
11Source: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (2008). Student Pipeline - Transition and Completion Rates from 9th Grade to College. http://www.higheredinfo.org
020406080
100100
71
4228
18
EnglishReadingMathScienceAll 4 tests
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
U.S.MI
67%
52%
46%
31%
25%
59%
45%
36%
26%
21%
Percentage of ACT-tested graduates who met or exceeded the College Readiness Benchmark score, 2011
Note: A benchmark score indicates a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses.
Source: ACT (2012). College Readiness Benchmark Attainment by State. http://www.act.org/newsroom/data/2012/benchmarks.html
Enrollment in College Does NOT Equal College Readiness in Michigan
“More than a third of incoming college students in Michigan take high school-level classes on campus — essentially
repeating material they should have learned before they got their diplomas”
“Remedial classes cost students, schools and taxpayers over $100
million dollars annually”
-Ron French, Bridge Magazine
http://bridgemi.com/2012/05/remediation-higher-eds-expensive-bridge-to-nowhere/
Low Levels of Rigor• Current standards feature large amounts of
knowledge and recall learning targets• Under-developing critical thinking abilities• Disadvantaged in college and the workplace
Why do We Need Common Standards?
Lack of Clarity• “Write for a variety of purposes.”• “Respond to variety of literary/informational
texts.”• “Competently use money.”• Are these standards clear to teachers, students,
and parents?
Why Do we Need Common Standards?
Inconsistencies• Different states set different learning targets• Different districts set different learning targets • Different classrooms learning different topics• We must expect high achievement from all
students in all classrooms
Why Do We Need Common Standards?
• “Academic standards are the starting point of providing a quality education. Common Core defines what we need kids to learn to pursue their dreams, and assessments measure whether students are learning what they need to know to be successful.” • (Gov. Bush – Opening Speech, National Summit 2011)
Results of Inconsistencies• States requiring different content• Cut scores for proficiency vary by state• Students being taught and assessed at different
levels of rigor based on location• Students who move may be far ahead or far
behind• Large groups of students are disadvantaged in
the national and global economies
Barriers to Collaboration• Educators are not working from the same
blueprints• Chilling effect on the sharing of best practices• Curricular materials not applicable to all places• This creates an insular education community
where everyone is doing the same work over and over again
Why Do We Need Common Standards?
A set of clear, consistent, internationally-benchmarked K-12
standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics that will provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare
our students for college and the workplace.
What is the Common Core?
An effort led by the National Governor’s Association, the Council of Chiefs of
State Schools, ACT, Achieve, College Board, and many other groups that
created standards voluntarily adopted by states.
What is the Common Core?
Important!Standards are the “What”
Standards are the overall goal we hope our children achieve.
Curriculum is the “How”
Curriculum is the individual teaching methodology used in the classroom.
• General planning and coordinating of all public education, including higer education
• Adopts academic standards
State Board of Education
• Implementation of bills passed by the legislature and policies established by the State Board of Educaiton
• Implementation of federal programs
Michigan Department of Education
• Selects Curriculum• Selects Textbooks
Local School District
• Increased complexity of texts• Focus on foundational math skills and
application in novel real-world situations• A return to depth as opposed to breadth• Increased focus on justifying and presenting
results and methods• Critical reading and writing infused in all
curricular areas• Re-ordering of math content to reflect research-
based path to college and career readiness
How are Common Core Standards better?
Old Standard
New Standard
N.MR.04.22 Locate fractions with denominators of 12 or less on the number line: include mixed numbers
4.NF.2 Compare two fraction with different numerators and different denominators, e.g., by creating common denominators or numerators, or by comparing to a benchmark fraction such as ½. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using a visual fraction model.
Preparation:The CCSS will prepare students for both college and the workplace and
emphasizes higher-order skills instead of knowledge and recall.
Benefits of Common Core
Competition:The CCSS are internationally-
benchmarked, ensuring that our students are prepared to be competitive in the global job
market.
Benefits of Common Core
Equity:The Common Core will foster consistent expectations not
dependent on state or zip code. We will hold all students to high
academic expectations.
Benefits of Common Core
Clarity:The Common Core are focused, coherent, and clear standards.
Everyone knows what is expected of our students.
Benefits of Common Core
Collaboration:CCSSI will be a foundation for
teachers, states, and districts to work together from the same
blueprints. This will facilitate the sharing of best practices.
Benefits of Common Core
43 states have voluntarily adopted the Common Core, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoan Islands, the Northern
Mariana Islands and the Department of Defense.
Implementation Progress
Implementation
Staff Development is key to successful implementation
http://www.ccsso.org/resources/digital_resources/common_core_implementation_video_series.html
Math Standards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlJ44te7jrw&playnext=1&list=PL087DD8418FEDAC32
How Can You Help Your Child Succeed with the Common Core
State Standards?• Get PTA’s Parent Guide to Student Success• Know what your Student will be expected to
know for his/her grade level• Follow the guides recommendations to help
your child succeed• Talk to your child’s teacher regularly about
how your child is doing
Things To Ask Your Child’s Teacher:
• What are the most important skills my child will be expected to learn this month/semester/year?
• How will homework be different in English Language Arts and Math this year?
• What will my child be reading this year? • Are there examples of additional fiction or non-fiction
texts we could read at home?• What resources are available if my child needs
additional help or wants to learn more about a particular topic
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/09/confused_over_common_core_here.html
Things To Ask Your Child Throughout The Year:
• What did you read today? What was a particular piece of the text that interested you or surprised you? Tell me about it. Connect with your own anecdote regarding the topic.
• What new words did you learn this week? What do they mean? Can you spell them for me?
• Let me see what your teacher(s) is (are) asking you to write this week. • Can I see your math homework? Can you do it on your own? Do you
need help? You may not have the answer, so it's okay to ask your child's teacher for help or do your own research.
• Later in the school year, real world application of math knowledge: What do you know in math now that you didn't when school started? Give me an example of how that is used in your everyday life. How did you figure that out and why is it important to know that?
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/09/confused_over_common_core_here.html
What Can You Do?Legislators need to know that parents
• Vote• Support our Educators• Support College and Career Ready Standards • Want implementation to move forward• Want children to be able to compete and
succeed in the future.
Problems Parents have with Common Core
Misinformation about the Common Core Math Homework Curriculum Suggested Reading List Resources
Misinformation about Common Core:
• Political Vortex• Federal Takeover of the Education System• Data Collection• Standards -vs- Curriculum• Low Performers drag down High Performers
What questions do you have?
