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Directions in Education from State and Federal agencies. Changes in standards and assessments . Connecticut Common Core Standards CCCS. As part of CT’s Race to the Top Application, the state BOE adopted the Common Core Standards in July 2010
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Directions in Education from State and Federal agencies Changes in standards and assessments
Connecticut Common Core Standards CCCS As part of CT’s Race to the Top Application, the state BOE adopted the Common Core Standards in July 2010 46 states/territories have adopted CCS (TX, VA, MN, NB, MT, AK have not) CCS signals move to national/international standards rather than each state having their own CCS limited to English Language Arts and Math
Rational for CCS Are aligned with college and work expectations Are clear, understandable and consistent Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards Are informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society
English Language Arts Standards defined in the following areas: • Reading • Classic and contemporary literature • Informational (non-fiction) text • Writing • Writing arguments • Informational/explanatory texts • Narratives • Research • Listening and Speaking • Informal discussions • Presentations
ELA standards • Language • Vocabulary • Conventions (grammar) • Formal/Standard English and self-expression • Media and Technology • Integrated through all standards
Math Standards • K-5 as the solid foundation • whole numbers • addition, subtraction • Multiplication • Division • fractions • decimals • Procedural skill and conceptual understanding • Middle school as rich preparation for high school math (ready for Algebra by grade 8) • High school focus on application of mathematical thinking and modeling to solve problems
What does this mean for TPS? There will be changes! Going through process aligning current curriculum with CCCS at department and grade level meetings Some math topics re-arranged or dropped at elementary Middle school math more rigorous High school math with more focus on application Middle and high school ELA with less emphasis on classic core literature and more on non-fiction, writing, and presenting
SMARTER Balanced Assessments As part of CT’s Race to the Top Application, the state BOE joined the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium in July 2010 29 states/territories have joined the assessment consortium (CT is 1 of 21 Governing states) Assessments are aligned with the CCS These assessments will replace CMT and CAPT in 2015
New paradigm for assessment Delivered entirely through a technology platform 12 week testing window Computer adaptive testing (no test is the same and questions adjust as student answers items) Assessments will have formative, benchmark, and summative capacity—not just mastery, testing data will provide a diagnostic profile of students Tests will include different types of items: constructed, extended, performance based
What does this mean for TPS? Significant technology infrastructure and hardware upgrades will be needed Students will need more opportunities to gain necessary technology competencies to access the testing format Students will be accessed more on application and understanding than on rote memorization of facts or procedures Staff will need to be familiar with testing format and purposes to adequately prepare students