Common Core State Standards
OVERVIEW
CESA #9 - September 2010
Presented by:
CESA #9
School Improvement Services 2010-11
Jayne Werner and Yvonne Vandenberg
Introduction
This overview presentation is derived from
the CCSS Foundations Kit for districts developed in partnership with CESAs and
the Department of Public Instruction.
Essential Questions
What are the Common Core State
Standards?
 Why are the CCSS good for stakeholders?
 What is the vision for implementation?
 How will CESA #9 support school
districts?

What are the Common Core State
Standards?

Developed by the Council for Chief State
School Officers and the National
Governors Association with representation
from:
48 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia
 Educators, content experts, researchers, national organizations,
and community groups
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Feedback on drafts from the general
public, teachers, parents, business
leaders, states, and content experts
What are the Common Core State
Standards?
Common Core Standards define the
knowledge and skills students should have
within their K-12 education careers so
that they will graduate high school able to
succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing
academic college courses and in
workforce training programs.
(NGA & CCSSO, 2010)
What are the Common Core State
Standards?

Criteria used to develop the CCSS:
◦ Fewer, clearer, and higher
◦ Aligned with college and work expectations
◦ Rigorous content and application of knowledge
through higher-order thinking skills
◦ Build upon strengths and lessons of states’ current
standards
◦ Informed by top performing countries to better
prepare students for success in a global economy
and society
◦ Evidenced and/or research based
◦ Realistic and practical for the classroom
◦ Consistent across all states
What are the Common Core State
Standards?


Include college and career readiness
standards K-12
English Language Arts K-12
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Range, quality, and complexity of reading text
Language progressive skills
Research regarding key elements of the standards
Text exemplars and sample performance tasks
Samples of student writing
Standards for Literacy in History/Social
Studies, Science and Technical Subjects,
grades 6-12
What are the Common Core State
Standards?

Mathematics K-12
◦ Math Practices of processes and proficiencies
 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
 National Research Council
◦ Articulated in K-8 grade-by-grade; high school
by conceptual category
◦ Model Course Pathways intended to
significantly increase the coherence of high
school mathematics
◦ Glossary and Research consulted
Why are Common Core State
Standards good for students?

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College & Career Focus: Prepares students
with the knowledge and skills they need to
succeed in college and careers
Consistent: Expectations will be consistent for
all kids and not dependent on a student’s zip
code
Mobility: Helps with student transitions between
states
Student Ownership: Clearer standards will help
students understand what is expected of them
and allow for more self-directed learning by
students
Why are Common Core State
Standards good for parents?
Clarity: Helps parents understand exactly what
students need to know and be able to do
 Support: Helps parents support their children and
educators by making expectations clear and goals
high
 Equity: Provides equal access to a high quality
education
 Involvement: Provides opportunities to meaningfully
engage parents

Why are Common Core State
Standards good for educators?
Training: Allows for more focused pre-service and
professional development
 Valid Assessments: Assures that what is taught is
aligned with assessments including formative,
summative, and benchmarking
 Own the “How”: Provides the opportunity for
instructors to tailor curriculum and teaching methods
 Depth: Informs the development of a curriculum that
promotes deep understanding for all children

Why are Common Core State
Standards good for states and
districts?
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Global: Allows states to align curricula to
internationally benchmarked standards
Best Practices: Allows states and districts to ensure
professional development for educators is based on
best practices
Competition: Creates the opportunity for America to
compete for high-wage, high skill jobs in a
knowledge-based economy
State Assessment: Allows for the development of a
“Next Generation” state assessment
Policies: Provides the opportunity to compare and
evaluate policies that artifact students achievement
across states and districts
A Vision for Implementation
14
Wisconsin’s Phase-by-Phase
Roll-out Plan

Year 1: UNDERSTANDING
◦ Foundations Presentations: Overview, Criteria for Standards,
Application to Students with Disabilities, Application to ELL, etc
◦ Investigations Workshops: In-depth look at the content, rigor,
and key advances in each discipline (by grade level clusters)

Year 2: CURRICULUM AND RESOURCES FOR
ALIGNMENT AND INTEGRATION

Year 3 and beyond: PLANNING, ASSESSMENT,
INSTRUCTION AND REPORTING
How will CESA #9 support local
school districts?
Offer value-added service through School
Improvement Membership
 Share the State’s commitment of equity and
consistency in getting the message out

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Foundations Presentations with stakeholder groups
Online resources for local use in disseminating Foundations
Archived Foundations Presentation for online viewing
Train-the-trainer workshops for Investigations of the CCSS by
content-based grade-level clusters
Collaborate with CESA #9 regional representatives on
Wisconsin’s phase-by-phase plan
 Provide direct service and technical assistance as
needed

What should districts be doing?
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Communicate a commitment to the initiative
Participate in the learning opportunities
Collaborate to build capacity for excellence
Be thoughtful and planful in curriculum, instruction
and assessment work
Continue a clear focus on quality professional
development
CESA #9 Contacts:
Jayne Werner (jwerner@cesa9.k12.wi.us)
Yvonne Vandenberg (vandenberg@cesa9.k12.wi.us)
Learn more about the CCSS at:
www.corestandards.org