Late Registration Available for Common Core Summer Training:
Due to available space and continued demand, we are excited to offer late registration at select sites for TNCore Summer Training. Registration will be available for a limited number of sites in mathematics and ELA/Literacy. Please click here for a list of available sites in both subject areas. At designated sites, late registration will be available until 1 week prior to a session's start date. Registration will remain closed at all other sites. Please visit www.tncore.org to register.
If you have any questions, please contact us at TNCore.Trainings@tn.gov .
ELA K-12/Literacy Curricular Guidance:
As we move toward full implementation of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts/Literacy (CCSS for ELA/Literacy), many educators and districts have sought guidance on what content to teach during the 2013-14 school year and how to best prepare students for PARCC while balancing current TCAP accountability.
The CCSS for ELA/Literacy provide a framework of expectations; curriculum and instruction will continue to be under the discretion of schools and districts. Some districts have chosen to transition fully to the CCSS for ELA, while others combine the CCSS and SPI's. The TDOE encourages districts to make thoughtful decisions around what a successful transition to the CCSS should look like for their respective districts, keeping in mind that a focus on the CCSS will support success on the TCAP as well.
There are three key instructional shifts required to implement the CCSS for ELA:
- Building knowledge through content-rich nonfiction
- Reading, writing, and speaking grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational
- Regular practice with complex text and its academic language
Implementing the instructional shifts and focusing on the following three priorities will provide students with the best preparation for PARCC assessments in 2014-15 and the TCAP Writing Assessment in 2013-14:
- Stop teaching the dropped SPI's
- Prioritize readings of rich, complex text multiple times and for varying purposes
- Give students sequenced, text-dependent questions and writing tasks that require them to cite evidence, simultaneously developing students' reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking skills
The TDOE has collaborated with district leaders on the Common Core Leadership Council and the ELA Leadership Team to provide more detailed ELA/Literacy curriculum coverage guidance. Please see the linked document for specific recommendations/guidance for ELA and for Literacy.
For more information, please contact tncore.questions@tn.gov
New Writing Rubrics for 2013-14 School Year Released:
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) has revised the rubrics to be used for the 2014 Writing Assessment. These revisions include changes to organization and wording and are based on feedback from educators and scorers. These revised rubrics are being made available to educators now so they may support preparation for the 2013-14 school year.
Rubrics are differentiated by writing mode, grade band, and subject area.
Informational/explanatory and opinion/argument rubrics are available for:
- Grade 3 ELA
- Grades 4-5 ELA
- Grades 6-8 ELA
- Grades 9-12 ELA
- Grades 6-8 Literacy (History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects)
- Grades 9-12 Literacy (History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects)
These rubrics will be used for the 2013-2014 Writing Assessment and are also intended for use with all writing tasks the TDOE will make available for district use during the school year (including tasks used during summer TNCore training). The expectations of the rubrics will continue to be taken directly from the Common Core State Standards; the organization and wording have been improved based on feedback from educators and scorers. The new rubrics for ELA can be found here; literacy rubrics can be found here . For more information, please contact tncore.questions@tn.gov.
