KatherineMcKnight.com | 5 Steps to Common Core Success

blog : April 2013

5 Steps to Common Core Success:
What Every Administrator Needs to Know Q&A

04/09/2013

Below is a list of questions asked during SDE's March 18th webinar presentation of 5 Steps to Common Core Success. Although we were unable to answer all of the great questions at that time, we want to provide you with the full list of questions—and answers! If you missed the original presentation, feel free to view it here.

Are there specific standards for preschool and kindergarten?
There are mathematics and ELA standards for kindergarten. There are no standards for preschool.
Can you give an example of a formative question that measures mastery learning?
Mastery learning focuses on skills demonstrated through performance assessments (examples might include portfolios, projects, or demonstrations).

I suggest that you look at the following link on the PARCC website: http://www.parcconline.org/parcc-releases-tool-prepare-schools-and-districts-rigorous-21st-century-assessments

This is a fabulous resource that PARCC has released to prepare schools and districts for the rigorous 21st century assessments.
Are online assessments given in the same way as traditional, where all students take it at the same time? If so, schools will need to ensure technology access for all students simultaneously.
The assessments are not traditional pencil and paper. Both PARCC and Smarter Balanced will have computer-based assessments. For additional information, see the PARCC or Smarter Balanced websites.
How can you be sure that the resources available are reliable and are giving you what they say they are giving you?
I am not clear about the kinds of resources that you are referring to in your question. Like you, I am cautious about many resources that are labeled as “Common Core State Standards” aligned. As the saying goes, “Let the buyer beware”.

In my work with CCSS, I go to the official website: www.corestandards.org and look for recommended resources. I also depend on professional organizations like the National Council of Teachers of English for CCSS resources. The assessment consortia: Smarter Balanced and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) have websites that feature many resources and valuable information. I encourage all educators to complete a close reading of the CCSS document and rely on resources from professional organizations (i.e. NCTE, NCTM, ASCD) and professional development providers like Staff Development for Educators. They partner with educators who have well-documented expertise in CCSS.
How can you tie science and social studies to the Common Core? Will there be science and social studies Common Core standards developed later? How do the Next Generation Standards connect to Common Core, or do they?
Science and social studies content is significant in preparing our students for college and career readiness. Students who read and write in all content areas develop deeper understanding and comprehension. As of now, there are plans to include science and social studies standards.
I see the writing part of the ELA assessments….the student states their “claim” and supports that claim. However, will there be any writing of essays on PARCC or Smarter Balanced tests that will be longer essay questions?
Longer responses are expected on ELA assessments. However, I think it’s important to rethink “essay”. Three-part or five-paragraph essays are not the only structure that students can use in order to create an argument that includes a claim. The CCSS standards expect students to be able to state a claim, provide evidence and reasoning, and then develop counterarguments (beginning in 5th grade). The focus on CCSS is on critical thinking, not formulas for writing.
If textbooks are not issued to students, how can parents follow what students are studying in school?
There are many ways (and I would argue more effective avenues) for educators and parents to communicate the course of study. Remember, a textbook is not the curriculum; it’s a resource. Blogs, class websites, web 2.0 tools like Edmodo, and other web-based sites are outstanding platforms for parents to be able to understand what their children are learning. In addition, class newsletters are more effective than a textbook for communicating information about the course material.
If the reading is just right for a far below or struggling student, it is frowned upon because it is not grade level text. What do you do in this case?
I know this is a tough one. If we keep giving materials and teaching above the level at which students are performing, they are more likely to lag below grade level and be at even greater risk to drop out of school. As educators, we need to advocate for what’s right. If we can demonstrate growth and improvement for students who are below level, then this is a tremendous achievement. Growth should always be the focus. Differentiated instructional strategies like literature circles, guided reading, writing workshop, and learning centers are proven strategies for narrowing the achievement gap.
In California, will the assessments administered in the 2014-2015 school year be administered to the primary grades? And how can we compare these results with previous years’ data?
The CCSS assessments are different from previous state-based assessments so it is difficult to compare the two. I suggest that you refer to the California State Board of Education website as well as the following: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/resources-events/faqs/
Is PARCC similar to Smarter Balanced in that the questions students receive depend on previous answers?
Yes. I suggest that you visit the websites for both PARCC and Smarter Balanced. They are rich with resources and information regarding the assessments.
Since the CCSS are focused on depth of material, how will gaps be addressed?
I’m not completely clear on what “gaps” you’re referring to. Remember the focus of CCSS is on skills that are developed through content.
What about constitutional requirements about the use of textbooks? Is there a legal obligation to use “books” in the law of the land?
I think you should adhere to the policies of your local school district. While there is no mention of textbooks in the U.S. Constitution, individual state constitutions vary.
What are some suggestions you have for interventions that relate to CCSS?
If I understand this question correctly, I think the focus should be on research methods that support critical thinking and learning. For example, differentiated instruction, mastery learning, project based learning, response to intervention, and Singapore Math are all examples of outstanding methods to develop critical thinking, academic skills, AND content knowledge.
What are the major differences between the two assessments?
There are some differences between Smarter Balanced and PARCC but I would argue that it’s not substantial because both focus on assessment the same sets of skills.

The following is from the Smarter Balanced website, Frequently Asked Questions page (http://www.smarterbalanced.org/resources-events/faqs/):

Both Smarter Balanced and PARCC are developing assessment systems aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English language arts/literacy and mathematics with the goal of preparing K-12 students for college and career. However, there are key differences between the two consortia. For example, Smarter Balanced assessments will use computer adaptive technology, while PARCC will use computerized assessments that are not adaptive. For a summary of both design approaches, see Coming Together to Raise Achievement: New Assessments for the Common Core State Standards, a white paper developed by Educational Testing Service
What books do you recommend for learning more about CCSS?
I just finished writing a CCSS 9-12 ELA book with Donna Ogle. The series includes resources and curriculum information for all grade levels. This series will be published in June and is tentatively titled Inside Common Core Classrooms: Implementing the ELA Standards in Grades...

Here are a few to get you started:

From International Reading Association:

The Path to Get There: A Common Core Road Map for Higher Student Achievement Across the Disciplines by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and Cristina Alfaro

Comprehension Instruction Through Text-Based Discussion by Linda Kucan and Annemarie Sullivan Palincsar

Quality Reading Instruction in the Age of Common Core Standards by Susan B. Neuman and Linda B. Gambrell, eds.

The Common Core: Teaching K–5 Students to Meet the Reading Standards by Maureen McLaughlin and Brenda J. Overturf

The Common Core: Teaching Students in Grades 6–12 to Meet the Reading Standards by Maureen McLaughlin and Brenda J. Overturf

Common Core English Language Arts in a PLC at Work™, Grades K–2 by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey

Common Core English Language Arts in a PLC at Work™, Grades 3–5 by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey

Common Core English Language Arts in a PLC at Work™, Grades 6–8 by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey

Common Core English Language Arts in a PLC at Work™, Grades 9–12 by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey

Common Core English Language Arts in a PLC at Work™, Leader's Guide by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey

From National Council of Teachers of English

Supporting Students in a Time of Core Standards: English Language Arts, Grades 9-12 by Sarah Brown Wessling, Crystal VanKooten, Danielle Lillge Contributor(s): Crystal VanKooten, Danielle Lillge

Non-Supporting Students in a Time of Core Standards: English Language Arts, Grades 6-8 by Tonya Perry, Rebecca Manery Contributor(s): Rebecca Manery

Supporting Students in a Time of Core Standards: English Language Arts, Grades 3-5 by Jeff Williams, Elizabeth Homan, Sarah Swofford

Supporting Students in a Time of Core Standards: English Language Arts, Grades PreK-2 by Susi Long, William Hutchinson, Justine Neiderhiser Non-Member Price: $33.95 Member Price: $24.95

Get Connected: Technology and Common Core State Standards (On Demand) Presented by Katherine McKnight

From National Council of Teachers of Mathematics:

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics: The Big Picture (Journal) by Linda Dacey and Drew Polly February 2012, Volume 18, Issue 6, Page 378

Common Core Mathematics in a PLC at Work, Grades 6-8 by Diane Briars, Harold Asturias, David Foster, Mardi Gale

Common Core Mathematics in a PLC at Work, High School by Gwen Zimmerman, John Carter, Timothy Kanold, Mona Toncheff

Curriculum Issues in an Era of Common Core State Standards for Mathematics by Christian Hirsch, Glenda Lappan, Barbara Reys
What kind of teacher development is out there based on rigor and relevance at this point?
Staff Development for Educators has many resources that can support a professional development plan in your school that will facilitate the transition to CCSS. See: http://www.sde.com/di/core.asp. The PARCC and Smarter Balanced websites also list various teacher development resources.
When writing, do the students have to state that the information came from the text? Or is it assumed?
The writing prompts are in response to material that is posed on the assessment. Therefore, direct citation is not really necessary.
Why are there two consortiums creating two types of assessment for the same national standards?
According to Joe Willhoft, executive director for Smarter Balanced, “Competition breeds innovation. If you have only one model and it doesn’t work, then you don’t know if it was a bad idea or just a bad design.” (http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/two-paths-toward-common-core-standards-assessments.html)
Will the states be issuing a national exam for subjects?
PA is getting away from PSSA and moving towards Keystones. Will they be changing from Keystones soon too? The following, from the Smarter Balanced website (http://www.smarterbalanced.org/resources-events/faqs/), partially answers this question:

As noted in question 12 (Will Smarter Balanced provide end-of-course assessments?), Smarter Balanced is not developing end-of-course assessments. The 11th grade summative assessment will provide evidence that students are college- and career-ready. However, Smarter Balanced will develop software to allow states to create end-of-course assessments using the interim item bank.