Understanding the Common Core State Standards

1. Understanding the Common Core State Standards October, 2012

2. What is the Common Core State Standards (CCS) Initiative? Designed to improve outcomes for students by developing a set of consistent, clear academic outcomes in English Language Arts & Math. These standards are relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills needed for college and work in a global economy.

3. Why the CCS? • Many students are poorly prepared for college and careers (remedial classes) • Need for clear and consistent standards across the country (48 States adopted CCS) • Too many standards and not enough time • Relevant to the Real World (Informational Texts & Problem Solving)

4. College and Career Readiness (CCR) The CCR standards anchor the Common Core Standards and define general, cross-disciplinary literacy expectations that must be met for students to be prepared to enter college and workforce training programs ready to succeed. The K-12 grade-specific standards define end-of-year expectations and a cumulative progression designed to enable students to meet college and career readiness expectations no later than the end of high school.

5. Common Core Standards By implementing the Common Core Standards, WHB schools have committed to devoting more time and resources to preparing your child for college and the real world. The rigorous, research-based, and internationally benchmarked standards are designed to: Research and Evidence Based Aligned with college and work expectations Rigorous of content and applications so that all students are prepared for the 21st Century Internationally Benchmarked A Living document that will be revised as needed

6. Implications for Instruction How Will The Standards Change What My Child Is Learning? New York standards sometimes have been characterized as “a mile wide and an inch deep,” meaning many topics are introduced to students without opportunities for in-depth application. The Common Core State Standards will do the opposite. They focus instruction on critical skills to better prepare students for real world challenges. They specify what students need to know and do at each grade level. They allow deeper instruction, give students more time to master each skill before moving on to the next concept, and introduce each skill in sequence to lead naturally to higher-level thinking and analysis. The new standards also will help students who may change schools during the academic year, because all schools will focus on the same sequence and goals.

7. What the Common Core Standards “Are Not” The Standards define what all students are expected to know and be able to do, not how teachers should teach. The Standards focus on what is most essential, they do not describe all that can or should be taught. The Standards set grade-specific standards but do not define the intervention methods or materials necessary to support students who are well below or well above grade level expectations

26. PTA Parent’s Guide to Student Success Grade level guides that provide an overview of what your child will be expected to know by the end of that specific grade in English Language Arts & Math Suggestions to help your child at home-Ideas & Activities Topics of discussion for talking to your child’s teacher

27. Parental Support ALL children need help and support at home to succeed in school. Create a study area free from distractions. Sit with your child a few minutes to help them get started with homework. Check the completed homework.

28. Resources for Parents • Common Core Standards for ELA & Math: http://engageny.org/resource/common-core-state-standards/ • National PTA: http://www.pta.org/4446.htm

29. Questions/Thoughts Thank you for attending! Please contact the school anytime if you have any questions!