Pennsylvania Common Core Standards &

Student Assessments Changes

What Momentum is There for the Initiative?

48 states, the District of Columbia, and two

territories have signed on to the National Common Core State Standards Initiative

(PA is one of the states, and has made minor revisions)

Why is This Important for Students, Teachers, and Parents?

Prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and work

Ensures consistent expectations regardless of a student’s zip code

Provides educators, parents, and students with clear, focused guideposts

Why Now?Disparate standards across states

Student mobility

Global competition

Today’s jobs require different skills

Criteria for the Standards

Fewer, clearer, and higher

Aligned with college and work expectations

Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills

Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards

Internationally benchmarked, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society

Based on evidence and research

PA Common Core Curriculumhttp://www.pdesas.org/Standard/Common

Shifts in English Language ArtsArgumentative writing, emphasis on evidence Expository writing (frequent short research

pieces)Increase in % of informational text--50% in

third grade to 70% in HS, (note it is the whole HS experience not just English class)

Increase in the complexity of texts

Shifts in Math Construct viable arguments and critique the

reasoning of others.Make sense of problems and persevere in

solving them.Use appropriate tools strategically.Reason abstractly and quantitatively.Attend to precision.Look for and make use of structure.Look for and make sense of regularity in

repeated reasoning

Assessment 2012- 13Grades 3-8 Mathematics and Reading PSSAGrade 12 PSSA retest in OctoberGrades 3-8 & 11 Mathematics and Reading

PASAGrades 5 & 8 Writing PSSAGrades 4 & 8 Science PSSAGrades 4, 8 & 11 Science PASA No PSSA-MGrades 3-5 Stand-alone Writing Field TestKeystone Exams

Algebra I, Literature, Biology

Assessment 2012- 13Essentially the assessments and the

content focus of the assessments is the same as last year.

2012-13 Offered paper/pencil onlyResults will be used to

implement a writing component into the proposed Grades 3-5 English Language Arts (ELA) assessment.

Grades 3-5 Stand-alone Writing Field Test

2013-14Grades 3-5 English Language Arts PSSA (PA

CC)Grades 3-5 Mathematics PSSA (PA CC)

Grades 6-8 Mathematics and Reading PSSAGrades 3-8 & 11 Mathematics & Reading PASAGrade 8 Writing PSSAGrades 4 & 8 Science PSSAGrades 4, 8 & 11 Science PASAGrades 6-8 Stand-alone Writing Field TestKeystone Exams

Algebra I, Literature, BiologyComposition Field Test

2013-14Includes a writing

component An area not previously

assessed at grades 3 & 4Offered on-line &

paper/pencil

Grades 3-5 Math and English Language Arts PSSA

Based on Assessment Anchor Content Standards aligned to PA Common Core Standards

2013-14 Red = Alert

Assessments Based on PA Common Core Standards are being designed to match the expected growth in reading, math, thinking and reasoning

2013-14 Red = Alert

Assessments Based on PA Common Core Standards are being designed to match the expected growth in reading, math, thinking and reasoning

2013-14 Red = ELA Example

Current PSSA typeRead the passage

below and answer questions 12-14 regarding the authors purpose.

2013-14 Red = ELA Example

Current PSSA typeRead the passage

below and answer questions 12-14 regarding the authors purpose.

Common Core PSSA typeRead the two

passages below and compare and contrast the authors purpose in each passage.

2013-14 Red = Math Example

Current PSSA typeSubtract 15 from 45

and divide by 3.

A. 15B. 10C. 5D. None of the above

2013-14 Red = Math ExampleCommon Core

PSSA type (5th Grade)What mathematical

expression is equivalent to the number sentence below?

Subtract 15 from 45 and divide by 3?

Current PSSA typeSubtract 15 from 45

and divide by 3.

A. 15B. 10C. 5D. None of the above

2013-14 Based on current Assessment Anchor Content Standards

Offered on-line and paper/pencil

Grades 4 & 8 Science PSSA

Common Core CurriculumPlan for the Year Summer Work

August

PD Plan

End of Year 1

Common Core CurriculumWritingPlan

Model

Practice

Benchmarks for the Year

More InformationVisit www.corestandards.org

Sign up for Common Core State Standards updates:

www.ccsso.org/whats_new/newsletters/commoncoreupdates.html