Higher Expectations, Higher Achievement

Mississippi’s Road to Rigorous College- and Career-Ready Standards

November 4, 2013

Dr. Lynn J. HouseInterim State Superintendent

Some reasons include:

•To be successful in college

•To be ready for employment

•To compete for 21st century jobs with students from other states and countries

•To help improve job opportunities in Mississippi and the economy of the state and nation

Why focus on preparing students for college and careers?

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What does the global education landscape look like?

Mississippi Common Core Standards

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Mississippi Common Core Standards

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Mississippi Common Core Standards

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International Assessments

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PIRLS TIMSS

•Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)

•4th-grade reading assessment

•Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

•4th- and 8th- grade mathematics and science assessment

PISA

•Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)

•Assessment of 15 year-old students in three subject areas: Reading Literacy; Mathematics Literacy; and Science Literacy

U.S. Ranks in Reading, Math and Science

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Assessment Rank Grade/Subject

PIRLS (49 Countries) 7th 4th Grade Reading

TIMSS (63 Countries) 9th 4th Grade Math

6th 4th Grade Science

12th 8th Grade Math

11th 8th Grade Science

PISA (65 Countries) 10th Reading Literacy

24th Mathematics Literacy

19th Science Literacy

2011 PIRL and TIMSS Results2009 PISA Results

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What does Mississippi’s education landscape look like?

2013 ACT Profile Report – Percent of Students College Ready

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2012 ACT Profile Report – Percent Of Students College Ready

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• 2011 NAEP Report - Reading 22% of MS 4th Gr. students proficient 32% proficient nationally

21% of MS 8th Gr. students proficient 32% proficient nationally• 2011 NAEP Report - Math

25% of MS 4th Gr. students proficient 40% proficient nationally

19% of MS 8th Gr. students proficient 34% proficient nationally• Remedial Education – as of 2012

Appx. $25.5 million spent annually in MS CJCs Appx. $10 million at MS four-year institutions

Mississippi’s NAEP Performance

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Mississippi’s Performance On State Tests

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SATP2 Percentage Proficient and Above

2012-2013 2011-2012 2010-2011

Algebra I 78.2% 74.6% 76.4%

Biology I 63.3% 58.7% 55.5%

English II 59.4% 56.4% 55.9%

US History 62.3% 53.3% N/A*

*N/A: New standards and new assessment introduced for 2011-2012 school year.

Mississippi’s Performance On State Tests

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Grade MCT2 Language Arts MCT2 Mathematics

2013 2012 2011 2013 2012 2011

Grade 3 58 54 53 67 67 64

Grade 4 59 58 54 69 63 58

Grade 5 59 55 51 64 62 58

Grade 6 57 57 54 63 58 55

Grade 7 63 60 54 66 63 62

Grade 8 55 55 51 73 68 66

Percent Proficient and Above

State Progress on NAEP

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Mississippi NAEP Percent Proficient or Advanced

Grade/Subject 2011 2009 2007 2005

Fourth-Grade Math 25% 22% 21% 19%

Eighth-Grade Math 19% 15% 14% 14%

Mississippi NAEP Percent Proficient or Advanced

Grade/Subject 2011 2009 2007 2005

Fourth-Grade Reading 22% 22% 19% 18%

Eighth-Grade Reading 21% 19% 17% 19%

• 2007 – State education chiefs discussed development of common standards (CCSSO).

• 2008 – Governors voted to approve a policy statement putting state leaders in charge of national effort to establish “common core” of standards (NGA).

• 2009 – ED chiefs and governors launch the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

• 2009-2010 – Standards developed by teachers and content experts, the National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), among other organizations .

• March 2010 – Draft K-12 standards released for public comment (10,000 comments received).

• June 2010 – ED chiefs and governors release final Common Core State Standards.

How were the Common Core State Standards developed?

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44 States + DC Initially Adopted the Common Core State Standards

*Minnesota adopted the CCSS in ELA only 17

**MT and ND subsequently adopted CCSS

March: Conducted preliminary alignment study of draft Common Core State Standards and MS Frameworks

June: Received SBE approval to begin APA ProcessAugust: Received SBE approval (completed APA

Process)June-October: Conducted in-depth alignment study of final

Common Core State Standards and MS Frameworks

The same process was followed as has been utilized for each revision of standards in Mississippi

MDE Timeline for Review and Adoption 2010

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“Students could transfer among local schools and states and still have the basic math skills necessary for success. The standards are explained well.”

“There appears to be more real world problem solving in the area of mathematics.”

“They are rigorous and include application through higher order thinking skills. They will provide consistency across states. They will provide the ability to compare student achievement across states.”

“The obvious strength is to better prepare students for successful careers bothnationally and globally. It also appears that the core standards are closely aligned to the Mississippi benchmarks.”

Sample Public Comments from 2010

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• Time for training and instruction• Some English language arts descriptions are

vague• Implementation timeline• Interventions for struggling learners

Concerns about Adoption of Common Core State Standards

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• Mississippi Board of Education’s vision – a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the workforce and to be globally competitive.

• Our standards are good but not where we need to be based on national performance measures.

• It is critical to the success of our students and our communities because we need to attract high-paying jobs to Mississippi and to boost the state’s economy.

• Consistent, clear expectations of students allow teachers and parents to better help them reach goals.

Why are we raising academic standards?

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• The state sets academic standards – the goals for what students should learn - but local school districts may build on these standards.

• Local school districts choose the curriculum – what is taught and how it is taught – in each classroom as well as resources needed for teaching and learning.

• Each teacher determines his/her own instructional strategies to help students meet the standards.

What is the difference in Standards and Curriculum?

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• The College Board• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics• Business Roundtable• National Education Association• ACT• American Federation of Teachers• Military Child Education Coalition• International Reading Association• Foundation for Excellence in Education• Former U.S. Secretary Condoleezza Rice• Former MS Governor Haley Barbour• Other elected officials, including Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam,

former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush

Common Core Endorsements

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What’s changing in English language arts and math under more rigorous

college and career academic standards?

The Common Core State Standards Initiative

• Preparation: The standards are college- and career-ready. They will help prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in education and training after high school.

• Competition: The standards are internationally benchmarked. Common standards will help ensure our students are globally competitive.

• Equity: Expectations are consistent for all – and not dependent on a student’s zip code.

• Clarity of purpose: The standards are focused, coherent, and clear. Clearer standards help students (and parents and teachers) understand what is expected of them.

• Collaboration opportunity: The standards create a foundation to work collaboratively across states and districts, pooling resources and expertise, to create curricular tools, professional development, common assessments and other materials.

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Shift from “What’s Taught” to “What Students Need to Be Able to Do”

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To succeed in 21st century college and careers, studentsneed to be able to:

1. Solve problems

2. Manage oneself

3. Adapt to change

4. Analyze/conceptualize

5. Reflect on performance

6. Communicate

7. Work in teams

8. Create/innovate/critique

9. Engage in learning throughout life

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MS Mathematics Frameworks vs. Common Core State Standards

Common Core State StandardsGrade 3

•Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts •Understand a fraction as a number on the number line; represent fractions on a number line diagram. •Explain equivalence of fractions in special cases, and compare fractions by reasoning about their size.

MS Mathematics Frameworks, RevisedGrade 3

Identify and model representations of fractions (halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, and eighths.)

Grade 7 Standard•Solving word problems that have a combination of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals (e.g., a lady making $25 per hour receives a 10% raise; she will make an additional 1⁄10 of her salary an hour, or $2.50, for a new salary of $27.50)

Grade 11 Standard•Analyzing real-world situations using mathematics to understand the situation better and optimize, troubleshoot, or make an informed decision (e.g., estimating water and food needs in a disaster area, or using volume formulas and graphs to find an optimal size for a shipping container)

Examples: Common Core Mathematics Standards

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Mississippi Grade 3 Math Problem – MCT2

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Common Core Grade 3 Math Problem

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7th Grade MS ELA Framework vs.Common Core State Standards for ELA

Mississippi Language Arts Framework• Synthesize information stated in

one or more texts with prior knowledge and experience to draw valid conclusions with supporting evidence including text-based evidence.

Common Core State Standards• Integrate and evaluate multiple

sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.

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• Common Core relies on different media, like video and technology.

• Common Core allows for students to solve a problem, not just answer a question.

• Common Core asks for students to use skills and problem solving to master the standard.

Grade 1 Standard• Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their

central message or lesson.

Grade 6 Standard• Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker

in a text.

Grade 10 Standard• Analyze foundational U.S. documents of historical and literary significance

(including The Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address) for their themes, purposes, and rhetorical features.

Examples: Common Core English Standards

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Example Texts (Exemplars)

• MS has developed it own list of examples of texts for CCSS English Language Arts using teacher input.

• These examples serve as a guide for teachers as they determine the difficulty (complexity) of the text their students read.

• Guidance for the use of the exemplars does not indicate that students must read this text, but rather student should read texts as difficult as the texts listed for each grade level.

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Example Texts (Exemplars)

• The example texts are NOT – required texts,– a complete reading list, or– suggested reading.

• They are examples only.

• Text selection remains a local decision to be made by districts, schools, and teachers.

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Read the sentence below.

Because District residents did not live in a state, their right to vote and elect delegates to the House of Representatives was looked at differently than were the voting rights of residents of the states.

Which statement below is a correct evaluation of the cause of the situation described in the sentence above?

A. Because many lawmakers wanted the nation’s capital to be located in their state, a compromise was made to create a capital city that belonged to none of the states.

B. Because one hundred square miles of land was needed for the capital city, Maryland and Virginia offered George Washington a section of land along the Potomac River.

C. Because the country had not established a capital city, Congress met in several different cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York.

D. Because the District residents were not allowed to vote for President, Congress passed an amendment to the Constitution.

Mississippi Grade 7 Question – MCT2

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You have read three texts describing Amelia Earhart. All three include the claim that Earhart was a brave, courageous person. The three texts are:

•“Biography of Amelia Earhart”•“Earhart's Final Resting Place Believed Found”•“Amelia Earhart’s Life and Disappearance”

Consider the argument each author uses to demonstrate Earhart’s bravery. Write an essay that analyzes the strength of the arguments about Earhart’s bravery in at least two of the texts. Remember to use textual evidence to support your ideas.

Common Core Sample Grade 7 Question

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• In Spring 2015, Mississippi will measure students against these standards for the first time.

• MDE anticipates testing in English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades 3-8, and Algebra I/English II in high school.

• Randomly selected schools will tryout sections of the new assessments in 2014.

• These are higher standards and when standards are raised, test results tend to be lower at first and then will improve.

The Process of Measuring Student Performance

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“I have found that the rigor of Common Core State Standards has positively impacted student learning in my first grade classroom.” Sabrina Morgan, teacher, Pearl Lower Elementary, 2012 Milken Educator

“With the implementation of Common Core, Mississippi schools and students will be able to truly be compared to schools and students across our nation.” LaVonda Germany, Principal, Poplar Springs Elementary

“I am elated that for the first time our students can be compared on similar content nationally. Our students will be better prepared to compete in a global market because of this opportunity.” Chad Shealy, Principal, Gary Road Elementary, 2013 Administrator of the Year

What do MS educators say about the Common Core State Standards?

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“As educators, we‘re finally tapping into the understanding that this maximizes learning and problem-solving abilities of children.” Deia Sanders, master teacher and instructional coach, Simpson County

“(Colleges) see kids coming in with high school diplomas that have to take remedial classes to be successful in college. They should be prepared when they get there.” George Loper, Principal, Center Hill High School

What do MS educators say about the Common Core State Standards?

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• Technology availability– Broadband– Wiring– Hardware/Software

• Funding for technology and training/materials• Support and training for teachers and principals• Help for students who struggle

Greatest Concerns Around Implementation

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• Ongoing training and support for educators since Fall 2010

• 65+ Common Core grade-specific training sessions and webinars offered across the state – 5000+ educators trained

• A K-5 intensive “Boot Camp” offered regionally in June 2013, reaching almost 500 educators

• Webinars archived in iTunes U. Webinars accessed more than 15,000 times since September 2012

• Other sessions offered over the last 3 years for superintendents, additional district administrators, and post-secondary faculty.

• Numerous sessions have also been offered for parents, civic groups, and educational organizations

Preparing Teachers and Principals for Implementing Higher Standards

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• Partner with your child’s teacher, school and district, and ask for advice on how you can help at home.

• Visit the local school district website for information on resources and implementation of the new standards and assessments.

• Go to meetings offered in your area by PTA, the school, and district and visit the National PTA website.

• Discuss assignments with your child and help him/her understand what is being asked.

• Recognize that our children are going to say that some assignments are “too hard” – we must challenge our children to work hard at the “difficult”.

• Ensure your child READS and read with your child – ask questions about what is being read.

• Be active in your child’s education. You are the most important teacher.

How can I help my child succeed?

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• Mississippi is moving to higher academic standards-Common Core State Standards- in mathematics and English language arts for grades K-12.

• These higher standards will benefit every Mississippi student because they will better prepare students for college and the workforce.

• All schools will teach to these higher standards in Fall 2014. Students will be measured against these standards in Spring 2015.

• Of course, high standards are not the only thing needed for our children’s success, but standards provide an important first step — a clear roadmap for learning.

Summary

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Visit the Mississippi College- and Career-ready Standards web pages:

http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ms-college-career-standards

Visit the National PTA site:www.pta.org

PARCC: www.parcconline.org

Common Core State Standards: www.corestandards.org

Conservatives for Higher Standards:http://www.highercorestandards.org.

Resources

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Dedicated Common Core Email: commoncore@mde.k12.ms.us

Follow us on Twitter:@MissDeptEd

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