blog : June 2013
Assessment Update for Common Core State Standards Q&A
06/12/2013
Below is a list of questions asked during SDE's May 28th webinar presentation of Assessment Update for Common Core State Standards presented by Katie McKnight. 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!
You can view the original list here: www.sde.com/resources/webinars/mcknightCCSS.asp
What does a school community need to do to ensure that students are able to take assessments online, particularly for AI with students with disabilities?
Look at your state website for accommodations for students with disabilities.
You may also want to look at the official statement for Common Core: www.corestandards.org/assets/application-to-students-with-disabilities.pdf
What makes a State choose one assessment over another? I believe I also saw this example on the PARCC site as well.
The following is from the Smarter Balanced website FAQ page, which I think best summarizes why we have two different assessment consortia and how states selected one over the other:
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.
Does a State have to choose one or the other, or can they opt to develop a test for their State only?
States must choose either Smarter Balanced or PARCC, and states are involved in the creation of these assessments. See the following explanation from the Common Core official website (http://www.corestandards.org/resources/frequently-asked-questions):
Two consortia of states are developing common assessments – the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). These state-led consortia on assessment are grounded in the following principles:
• Allow for comparison across students, schools, districts, states and nations
• Create economies of scale
• Provide information and support more effective teaching and learning
• Prepare students for college and careers.
Are PARCC and Smarter Balanced using the EXACT same Common Core State Standards? So, if I looked up an assessment item for Writing Standard 1 for a specific grade level from Smarter Balanced, it would be the exact same standard (word for word) as PARCC's?
Yes. Here’s a list of participating states for each assessment consortia:
PARCC Assessment States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania*, Rhode Island, and Tennessee.
Smarter Balanced Assessment States: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania*, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
*Note that PA is listed as a member state for both PARCC and Smarter Balanced.
Will the Smarter Balanced released items also give us some idea of text complexity, besides just grade level?
Go to the Common Core State Standards ELA documents. There is substantial information in the document as well as the appendices that explain text complexity in greater detail and exemplars are also provided.
Is there a timetable that we can rely upon for the assessments that will be finalized and agreed upon?
Currently, test items were piloted this academic year for both assessment consortia. Piloting will continue this coming academic year: 2013-2014. Full implementation will begin the 2014-2015 academic year.
Is there a place or website where teachers and students can go to help us better prepare for these tests?
The only websites that I trust are Smarter Balanced and PARCC. Remember, the best test preparation is curriculum and teaching that teaches and develops the content knowledge and skills as articulated in CCSS.
Is there a website that looks at the new curriculum coming out and validates which programs actually follow the common core?
There are a couple of websites that you can use that provide examples of CCSS aligned curriculum. Remember, CCSS does not identify or advocate a particular method or structure. CCSS places trust in teachers and curriculum specialists to determine the most effective methods for their students. Whether you use inquiry based learning, reading workshop, guided reading, or writing workshop, the emphasis is on results rather than methods.
Look at professional organization websites like National Council of Teachers of English, International Reading Association or National Council of Mathematics for example resources. You may also want to visit commoncore.org, a site with exemplary CCSS aligned curriculum maps.
How will this impact the early childhood grades of K-2? Will there be tests for these grades, as well?
Career and college readiness starts as soon as our students begin school. Currently, there will be assessments in the following grades: 3-12.
So, will the new common core assessments be correlated to NAEP?
Both focus on college and career readiness.
Will the consortia agree on national standards?
They already do, since both consortia are developing assessments aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
Will districts still work to achieve state-defined scores?
Scores are based on national levels, not state.
Where can I locate more ideas/examples for formative assessments?
The following books are my favorite resources on formative assessment:
Formative Assessment: Making It Happen in the Classroom by Margaret Heritage
Formative Assessment and Standards-Based Grading: Classroom Strategies That Work by Robert J. Marzano
The Formative Assessment Action Plan: Practical Steps to More Successful Teaching and Learning by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey
Who is the author who speaks of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 academic language?
Robert Marzano, and his book Building Academic Language is an outstanding resource.
Should close reading be taught in math?
Yes. See Teaching Students to Read Like Detectives: Comprehending, Analyzing and Discussing Text.
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