Let’s Learn about theCommon Core State Standards& Smarter Balanced TestingLet’s Learn about theCommon Core State Standards& Smarter Balanced Testing
By Mary Harbolt
Instructional Coach at Faubion School
How did we get Common CoreState Standards?How did we get Common CoreState Standards?
The nation's governors (Governors Association Centerfor Best Practices) and education commissioners (Councilof Chief State School Officers) led the development ofthe Common Core State Standards. Teachers, parents,school administrators, and experts from across the nation,together with state leaders, provided input into thedevelopment of the standards. The actual implementationof the CCSS, including how the standards are taught andthe curriculum and materials used to support teachers asthey help students reach the standards, is led entirely atthe state and local levels.
Why did we get CCSS?Why did we get CCSS?
It’s all about fairness in preparedness. Not all schools arethe same and not all districts are the same. The CCSS arethere to make sure every child is given the same stringenteducation so every child is equally prepared to graduate.This way no one stumbles on their college entranceexams or applying for a job because in fifth grade theymoved from Oregon to Ohio or across a district. What’shappening in fifth grade at one school should behappening in fifth grade at all schools.
What is the purpose of theCCSS?What is the purpose of theCCSS?
Our current and future job markets have become global.For our students to succeed in this global market, weneed people who have built a strong knowledge basethrough content rich texts. Our competing workforceneeds to read, write, and speak with evidence to supporttheir views and ideas. We need people who can constructviable arguments and critique the reasoning of otherswhile being grounded in evidence. In other words, weneed students to move beyond regurgitating facts andbecome creative applied thinkers.
So where does SmarterBalanced fit in?So where does SmarterBalanced fit in?
Smarter Balanced is the name of the new stateassessments in English Language Arts (ELA) andMathematics. We will administer this summativeassessment in the spring to allow students todemonstrate their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. This spring assessment also includes aPerformance Task that challenges students to applytheir knowledge to respond to complex real-worldproblems.
In other words, Smarter Balanced is one ofseveral tools used to determine if students areproficient at the CCSS. It also helps hold schools,districts, and states accountable for making sureyour child attains the knowledge and skillsneeded for college and career-readiness.
So let’s have some fun and takea look at Smarter Balancedquestions!So let’s have some fun and takea look at Smarter Balancedquestions!
This concludes the math portion ofSmarter Balanced. Are you readyfor some English Language Arts?This concludes the math portion ofSmarter Balanced. Are you readyfor some English Language Arts?
Thank you!Thank you!