I just finished reading that assessments for the Common Core initiative are currently being developed on a tentative basis, and will be quite different from the types of assessment that have reigned over the past decade. Can I get a "Heck, yeah!" and a high five for that! :) The assessments will be more performance-based but will still include computerized assessment items, such as formative assessments. English assessments will include a research simulation where students will read a variety of texts and then write an essay and answer questions based on those readings. Math assessments will include justifications for their mathematical reasoning and real-world application.
The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium is soliciting for testing items and performance tasks in math and English. The items will be pilot-tested in the 2012-2013 school year and those participating in the field will help to determine which items should be scored by hand or by computer.
The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium is soliciting for testing items and performance tasks in math and English. The items will be pilot-tested in the 2012-2013 school year and those participating in the field will help to determine which items should be scored by hand or by computer.
Now, I must note that this Common Core transition has had an “uncommon” start, in that all districts in all states are not beginning in the same ways or getting the same material as we transition. A silver lining though, everyone, we must put our nose to the grindstone and have the K-20 conversations. We must work together and actively seek out information on the changes and developments that occur along the way.
If a teacher gets to attend a Common Core session, enlist that teacher to help spread that information to everyone else. Team efforts and district-wide curriculum conversations will be more important than ever! Districts are scrambling to find trainers for the Common Core, but without a large force of trained presenters, especially those with specific content knowledge in reading and math, it is almost a certainty that we will all be getting various versions of what we need to make the transition happen.
For example, I just finished an initial training for the Common Core transition, and learned that our trainer (who did a very nice job getting us through the material) had created all the PowerPoint slides, activities, and handouts herself. That led me to question - why? She explained that there have been limited opportunities for educational service centers to get trained on their end, they are literally learning just a half of a step in front of us. That is a scary position to be in when people want answers, are looking to you to lead them through the changes, and you only know as much as they do.
In this nationwide initiative (outside of the few states that have chosen not to jump on board), there should be a fleet of people trained at the national and state levels to make start and transition for the Common Core truly “common”. A set training guide with the same activities, presentations, forms, plans, etc. should have been made, critiqued, and then rolled out to all states involved to get everyone on the same page. That being said, I have already seen a few books claiming their alignment to the Common Core, and honestly, I am wary of them. As we help to lead teachers through the transition, I supposed we will get better at weeding out the texts simply using the language of Common Core to sell books and those that truly offer substantial help to align curriculum with the Common Core.
Lastly, veteran teachers, as always are a wonderful resource to all faculties. Remember, that they have seen these ‘performance assessments’ before in the days of QPA, so utilizing their experiences will help everyone to develop an understanding of them, while those with about ten years or less experience may only be familiar with the multiple-choice based assessments of past decade. "And the beat goes on"…or "and the pendulum swings". :) Have a little help from your friends, and hang in there, gang!
For example, I just finished an initial training for the Common Core transition, and learned that our trainer (who did a very nice job getting us through the material) had created all the PowerPoint slides, activities, and handouts herself. That led me to question - why? She explained that there have been limited opportunities for educational service centers to get trained on their end, they are literally learning just a half of a step in front of us. That is a scary position to be in when people want answers, are looking to you to lead them through the changes, and you only know as much as they do.
In this nationwide initiative (outside of the few states that have chosen not to jump on board), there should be a fleet of people trained at the national and state levels to make start and transition for the Common Core truly “common”. A set training guide with the same activities, presentations, forms, plans, etc. should have been made, critiqued, and then rolled out to all states involved to get everyone on the same page. That being said, I have already seen a few books claiming their alignment to the Common Core, and honestly, I am wary of them. As we help to lead teachers through the transition, I supposed we will get better at weeding out the texts simply using the language of Common Core to sell books and those that truly offer substantial help to align curriculum with the Common Core.
Lastly, veteran teachers, as always are a wonderful resource to all faculties. Remember, that they have seen these ‘performance assessments’ before in the days of QPA, so utilizing their experiences will help everyone to develop an understanding of them, while those with about ten years or less experience may only be familiar with the multiple-choice based assessments of past decade. "And the beat goes on"…or "and the pendulum swings". :) Have a little help from your friends, and hang in there, gang!
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