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North Hill Elementary: Setting a Standard With Teaching Washington's Learning Standards

Setting the Standard With Teaching Standards

North Hill Elementary in Des Moines, Wash., has approached teaching Washington state's math and English language arts standards in a unique way, and the results are paying off in improved student learning.  
"Our school approached the Common Core by selecting three standards, one for English language arts and two for math," said North Hill Principal Nancy Melius. "And then we really just dug in deeper to understand what did that standard say, what did that look like for kids."

This approach certainly factored in North Hill's impressive testing scores in spring 2015 on the first Smarter Balanced assessments in English language arts and math. North Hill students finished above the district averages in English language arts and math in grades 3-6, and above the state averages in grades 3-5.

Understanding Smarter Balanced Test Scores
As we near the second year of Smarter Balanced testing, its important for parents and educators to know how a student's assessment score can be used to chart their pathway toward graduation. First, download our infographic and watch the accompanying video on charting a student's path from middle to high school.

Using Smarter Balanced to Chart Your Path



Standards and Testing Handout Available in 16 languages
Ready Washington's handout provides high-level information on Washington's K-12 learning standards and assessments. It's available in 16 languages. Please download and share within your networks.


 
RESOURCES

The Ready Washington coalition works to build awareness and understanding with families about college and career ready standards and assessments. See our resources below to learn more. 


Handout: Expecting more from students 
Covers why we're moving to higher standards and expecting more. 
Available in 

Parents' Guide to Student Success
Grade-by-grade guides by National PTA, Washington State PTA and Ready WA.

Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs on learning standards, Common Core, state testing and student data privacy. 

What Are Smarter Balanced Assessments?
Two videos on Smarter Balanced provides viewers a better idea of why these new assessments help teachers and students.
Using Smarter Balanced Scores to Chart Your Path
This video and infographic take you through a student's path high school graduation and beyond. 
Two Videos Feature Seattle Educators
WA Teacher of the Year Lyon Terry and Rainier View Elementary Principal Anitra Pinchback-Jones talk about students learning in their schools. 

Media contacts:


 

Chris Barron, communications manager

Partnership for Learning
(206) 625-9655  [email protected]

 

Nathan Olson, communications manager
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
(360) 725-6015  [email protected]


Ready Washington coalition | [email protected]  |  www.ReadyWA.org
520 Pike Street, Suite 1212, Seattle, WA 98101