What you need to know about the
A community forum
November 11, 2013
November 13, 2013
December 4, 2013
Milford Public Schools t Milford, Connecticut
Presentation Overview
1. The Background: 1893 to present
2. Common Core: Defined
3. The Standards
4. The Assessment: SBAC replaces CMT/CAPT
5. Professional Learning: Teachers need realignment, too
6. Parents: What you can do to help
7. Questions and Answers
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The Background
The Background
The concept of Common Standards is not new.
1893: Columbia University, NYC
Ten men in a secret society debated what American high schools
should teach. In their final report, the Committee of Ten concluded:
“Students deserve a strong liberal arts education – in which every
subject is taught in the same way and to the same extent to every
pupil so long as he pursues it, no matter what the probable
destination of the pupil may be.”
TIME, Monday Sept. 30, 2013, Amanda Ripley
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The Background
June 2008: Governors Across Country Request
Common Standards
 An earlier study (2004) revealed students were graduating
without the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the
work world.
Governors requested:
 Standards that directly link to what colleges and employers
want young people to know.
 Standards for all students - Grades K-12.
 Standards that are more rigorous, but fewer in number.
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The Background
 June 2010: Common Standards Released
n English Language Arts
n Mathematics
They were created by educational experts, teachers,
administrators, and members of the private sector.
 July 7, 2010: Connecticut Adopts Common Core
(for English/Math)
 August 2013:
46 States have adopted the
Common Core State Standards.
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Common Core Defined
Common Core Defined
•
http://vimeo.com/51933492
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Common Core Defined
Common Core State Standards are:
“a set of research-based, globally competitive
K-12 expectations for English language arts and
mathematics.”
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English Language Arts
Common Core: English language arts
English/Language Arts Standards
 Emphasis on content-rich nonfiction and information texts to
build knowledge, in addition to literature.
 Reading and writing grounded in evidence from the text.
 Listening and speaking skills are included as a standard.
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Common Core: English language arts
What’s In and What’s Out?
In……
Out……
1. Daily Encounters w/complex texts
1. Leveled texts (exclusively)
2. Texts worthy of close attention
2. Reading any ol’ text
3. Balance of literary and info texts
3. Solely literature
4. Coherent sequences of texts
4. Collection of unrelated texts
5. Mostly text-dependent questions
5. Mostly text-to-self questions
6. Evidence-based analyses
6. Personal opinions about issues
7. Emphasis on academic vocab
7. Emphasis on literary terminology
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Mathematics
Common Core: Mathematics
Mathematics Standards
 Significantly narrow the scope – move away from ‘a mile wide
and an inch deep’ curricula.
 Dig deep into fewer concepts for a well-developed
understanding of topics that are crucial in college/career
success.
 Ask students to think across grades and make links to major
topics within grades.
 Demand that students have conceptual understanding and can
demonstrate procedural skill and fluency,
and application.
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Common Core: Mathematics
Priorities in Mathematics
Grade
Priorities in support of Rich Instruction and
Expectations of Fluency and Conceptual
Understanding
K-2
Addition and subtraction, measurement using
whole number quantities
3-5
Multiplication and division of whole numbers and
fractions
6
Ratios and proportional reasoning; early
expressions and equations
7
Ratios and proportional reasoning; arithmetic of
rational numbers
8
Linear algebra
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Common Core: Mathematics
An Example … CMT Grade 4
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Common Core: Mathematics
An Example … SBAC Grade 4
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Common Core: Mathematics
An Example … SBAC Grade 4 (2nd in a series)
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Testing
Testing
Two tests were developed to be used in conjunction
with the Common Core State Standards
States could choose either one.
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Testing
Connecticut chose the Smarter Balanced Assessment
Consortium, also known as SBAC.

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Testing
Key points about the Smarter Balanced Test (SBAC)
 Test is given 100% on the computer.
 SBAC will replace CMT/CAPT
 SBAC will be Field Tested in Connecticut in Spring 2014
 First official SBAC to be administered in Spring 2015
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Testing
Key points about the Smarter Balanced Test (SBAC)
 Questions are delivered one at a time.
 Questions will ‘build’ upon the previous question (in a series).
 The SBAC test is adaptive; it records correct and incorrect answers and
monitors how far a student can go before getting ‘stuck.’
 Real time data will greatly assist teachers in planning student instruction.
 Test requires the application of skills and context to real world problems.
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Testing
SBAC: Grades 3-8, and Gr. 11 (new)
- Replaces CMT/CAPT
One Exception:
 CMT/CAPT – Science
- Gr. 5, 8, and 10 only
- Expected to be far more difficult
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Professional Learning
Professional Learning
Teacher Training Will be Essential
- Curriculum
- Assessment
- Teacher Training to involve a Shift in Thinking
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How Parents Can Help
How Parents Can Help
The Sure Fire List of ‘Best Bets’
1. Visit the Library …. Often.
2. Encourage your child to read non-fiction texts.
3. Review your student’s work, involve yourself in
their studies.
4. Ask lots of questions – have discussions about
their work.
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Resources
Resources
PTA Parents’ Guide to Student Success
www.pta.org




A concise guide to the standards for each grade in ELA and Mathematics
Includes an overview of key things your child will learn in math/English
Gives ideas for activities to help your child learn at home
Includes topics to talk about with your child’s teacher throughout the year
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Resources
Connecticut Dept. of
Education Website
Milford Public
Schools Website
www.ct.gov/sde
www.milforded.org
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Questions & Answers
… and how about that
True/False Test?
True False Test ….
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Thank you for your support!