Transition to Common Core Standards
for 2013-14 School Year
Phoebe Hearst, along with the rest of the state, will be transitioning to the new Common Core Standards over the 2013-14 school year.
Language Arts Common Core Standards: http://www.corestandards.org/
Math Common Core Standards: http://www.corestandards.org/
Next year will be the last year of STAR testing. Beginning in the spring of 2014-15, students will take the Smarter Balance Assessment. http://www.smarterbalanced.
Teachers, grades 3-6, at Phoebe Hearst have participated in intensive training in Math this year as part of a district grant, and two lead teachers, Ms. Kitowski and Mrs. Schnack, have participated in Language Arts training to then provide information to the rest of the staff. All teachers will receive additional training late this summer and next year to be fully prepared for the transition to Common Core.
In preparation for the transition, it is important that both students and teachers experience learning and teaching with the instructional shifts and a more thematic approach to curriculum implementation. This year teachers at Phoebe have developed “Units of Study” tying together Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies standards at each grade level under a particular theme. During the window of May 3rd through May 29th, each class will experience some form of instruction and learning around a theme tied to the school garden. Each grade level has a unique spin on this overarching theme that correlates to grade level standards. I’ve attached a sample Unit of Study to help parents see the big picture. Please know that this is just a template, and the daily lessons and activities are not outlined. We look forward to this Unit of Study!
See a sample from Common Core Standards: 4th Grade Unit
CLICK HERE to see a Common Core aligned 5th grade math test. It is a shift away from simply producing a correct answer, and toward explaining the process of problem solving and mathematical reasoning. Students are asked to not just generate a final product, but to show and explain in writing their depth of knowledge.
Changes to State Testing Process
A new law – AB 484 – signed by Governor Brown this month suspends administration of most California Standards Tests (CSTs) this spring to allow schools to participate in a field test of new student academic performance assessments. Called Smarter Balanced Assessments, the new online exams are more closely tied to student learning in our classrooms.
This field testing is critically important for our district, as it gives the central office, teachers, students and families the opportunity to experience these new tests and provide the state with feedback in a “hold harmless” year. In other words, results from this year’s field testing will only be used to “test the test” and make adjustments to questions, timing, logistics, etc.
The Smarter Balanced Assessments are aligned to the Common Core State Standards, which define what students should know and be able to do at every grade level. The standards are aimed at preparing students for college and the workplace. As such, we are accelerating our work to ensure that every student is solving problems, analyzing text, working in groups and developing communication skills in every classroom. We are working with the district as well to update our technological infrastructure in anticipation of the new online tests.
Please note that the science CSTs will still be administered to students in grades 5.
For more information about AB 484 or to take a Smarter Balanced practice test, visit www.scusd.edu/testing.