The results of the 2011-2012 Kentucky Performance Rating of Education Progress (K-PREP) test have recently been released, raising questions about the upcoming nationwide transition to tests geared toward the Common Core standards. Kentucky, in 2010, was the first state to officially adopt an educational curriculum determined by the Common Core Standards for English/Language Arts and Read more about First Results from Common Core-Aligned Testing[…]
This second in a series of two-page briefs from the National Education Policy Center summarizes current research findings on the likely effects of the widespread adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The brief, written by Dr. William Mathis, managing director of the National Education Policy Center, notes that there is no research directly Read more about Brief Explores Likely Results of CCSS[…]
With the new school year just starting, the majority of educators across the country are hard at work implementing the new K-12 Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The new standards have sparked a range of resources and tools to support CCSS-aligned instruction, as well as drawn a lot of media attention, particularly in the last Read more about Implementing the Common Core[…]
The first wave of petitions calling for technology professional development for all educators were delivered last week to Senator Patty Murray (Washington), and Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard (California), Duncan Hunter (California) and George Miller (California) by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). More than one thousand educators are urging Congress to support technology training Read more about Petitions Call for Technology PD for All Educators[…]
The first public draft of the common science standards is facing criticism for “lack of clarity and coherence” and omitting key content knowledge in favor of “an overdose on scientific ‘practices.’” However, these critiques are not being viewed as unfriendly—rather, the two organizations offering the feedback (the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Fordham Read more about Draft of Common Core Science Standards Draws ‘Friendly Fire’[…]
On May 30, the Fordham Institute released a new report evaluating the potential cost of implementing the Common Core, the first in a wave of such evaluations. This report addresses three key questions: What are the short-term costs of moving to the Common Core? In other words, what will be the initial expenses (instructional materials, Read more about Putting a Price Tag on the Common Core[…]
Instructional approaches usually associated with special education are gaining traction as states and districts are faced with implementing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), reports Education Week. Two strategies, universal design for learning (UDL) and response to intervention (RTI), have been frequently cited in NCLB waiver requests for CCSS implementation in the section about how Read more about Special Education Approaches Go Mainstream[…]
On March 27, Education Sector held a panel discussion to discuss the challenges facing states as we head towards 2014. Between now and 2014, states will be facing the challenges of new Common Core standards, new assessments, new accountability systems, new teacher evaluations, new data systems, and for some states, implementing Race to the Top. Read more about Getting to 2014: The Choices and Challenges Ahead[…]
Last month, Common Core.org hosted a panel discussion that focused on those subjects not included in the Common Core State Standards: history, science, and the arts. Panelists included David Coleman, lead writer of the CCSS in English Language Arts; Lynn Munson, President and Executive Director of Common Core; Lewis Huffman, Education Associate for Social Studies Read more about Truant from School: History, Science and Art[…]
The International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) recently released their revised standards for online teaching to ensure that students engaged in online learning have access to quality education. The new standards differentiate between two sets of indicators: the first are what the online teacher should know and understand; the second what they should be Read more about iNACOL Revises National Standards for Quality Online Teaching[…]
Last month Learning Forward released the third edition of its Standards for Professional Learning. These standards outline “the characteristics of professional learning that lead to effective teaching practices, supportive leadership, and improved student results.” The standards are not simply platitudes, however. It is stated clearly that the standards are not a prescription for how teachers, Read more about Learning Forward: Standards for Professional Learning[…]
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released its annual report on Wednesday which compares each state’s proficiency standards in Reading and Math to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) standards. The current report looks at 2009 standards, and found the following: –There is wide variation among state proficiency standards. –Most states’ proficiency standards are Read more about NCES Maps State Proficiency Standards[…]
Last week, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) released a new study on teacher education programs, and determined that three-fourths of all student teaching programs, including those at top universities, are inadequate. NCTQ named 19 standards that they believe each program must meet in order to be successful, but only five were considered “critical Read more about Reviewing (Trashing?) Student Teaching[…]
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has released the final draft of the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards: A Resource for State Dialogue.These new model core teaching standards outline what all teachers across all content and grade levels should know and be able to do to be effective in today’s learning contexts. They Read more about InTASC Standards Released[…]
The InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards will be released at the end of April in conjunction with the Council for Chief State School Officers’ State Consortium on Educator Effectiveness (SCEE) Summit (April 28-30) and the National Teacher Recognition Week. The plan is to use the release of the final updated standards to launch the SCEE Read more about New InTASC Standards to be Released this Month[…]
The Albert Shanker Institute has issued a “Call for Common Content.” The proposal would go beyond the academic standards adopted by all but 9 states to seek more specific details regarding the knowledge, skills and understandings required of students to meet each standard. Specifically, the “Call” states, “Attaining the goals provided by these standards requires Read more about Common Core Standards Not Enough?[…]