The Common Core Standards Initiative was started to determine best practices and recommendations for what every K-12 student should know and be able to do regardless of where they live. The educational standards that were developed over the course of the initiative are intended to prepare all students for college or career.
A majority of states have already adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and today the State Board of Education will discuss Oregon's adoption of the standards.
Oregon Considers Adoption
In preparation for today's meeting, an issue brief has been prepared by the Office of Educational Improvement and Innovation at the Oregon Department of Education. The brief provides an overview of the work that has been done in the state thus far as well as potential changes and challenges that would come with adoption of the standards.
According to the brief, possible challenges are:
- Due to the larger amount of content in the English language arts (ELA) and Math Kindergarten standards, districts that do not offer full-day kindergarten will need to develop strategies to ensure first graders do not fall behind.
- The expectation in the ELA standards that reading is to be a shared instructional responsibility across content areas will require professional development (e.g., vocabulary, comprehension of grade-level text) for middle school and high school non-ELA teachers.
- The math knowledge and skills that have been "pushed down" to lower grades throughout grades K-8 will require some teachers at those grades to become more proficient in the new content itself, in addition to developing effective instructional practices to help students learn.
- Due to the large number of math standards at most grade levels, math departments will need to determine the best way to cover the required content while still teaching to proficiency.
- Due to the increased emphasis in the ELA CCSS on technology to produce and enhance writing, students will need access to computers to develop these skills.
- The State Board wanted "multiple pathways" for students to earn Algebra I and above credits in high school. Oregon's standards allow for this, promoting applied academics, or "math-in-CTE" scenarios. The CCSS promotes a more traditional Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II sequence, with an emphasis on advanced algebra content and function skills. Districts that have already created standards-based courses to offer applied math environments may struggle in building career-ready pathways within the CCSS.
- Due to the recent transition to Oregon's math standards and 2009-2010 statewide adoption of mathematics instructional materials, many districts have invested resources in new instructional materials. Districts must re-examine current math instructional materials in use and determine if supplemental materials are possible, or if a complete new adoption is necessary.
- Traditionally Oregon adopts one set of content standards at a time. Adopting the CCSS will most likely mean districts will be transitioning in both content areas simultaneously.
To learn more, download the full brief here.
The Chalkboard Project and a group of superintendents have endorsed the adoption of the Common Core Standards. Read their letters to the Board of Education:
http://bit.ly/9hRSez (Chalkboard Project)
http://bit.ly/d8XzSW (Superintendents)
What is your perspective? Do the benefits of adopting the Common Core State Standards outweigh the challenges? Do you have thoughts on how to minimize the challenges? Share your thoughts on Chalkbloggers.
