As we covered in previous editions, the Common Core State Standards are a set of rigorous K-12 grade level standards (now adopted in 45 states) designed to ensure all students are ready for college and career.

Berkeley educators anticipate that some of the greatest changes in the instructional program to come with the implementation of Common Core are in the teaching and learning of mathematics. 

The new math standards were developed in context of how students' mathematical knowledge, skill, and understanding develop over time. The standards offer a more in-depth and rigorous approach to learning math - emphasizing critical thinking, problem solving, and mathematical practices.

One way that teachers can know if a student has met the standard, at any grade, is in measuring a student's ability to know why a particular math statement is true or where a math rule comes from.

As a result, the Common Core Math Standards include two types of standards:
Practice: How students are able to apply and extend math principles (procedure), and
Content: What students know about math (understanding).

Preparing for full implementation of the Common Core State Standards in 2014-15 means principals, teachers, and specialized staff are piloting new state assessments, participating in professional development, ordering needed instructional materials, and planning technology upgrades so all of our schools will be ready.  More info

On Wednesday, March 20, the School Board Directors discussed the process for filling the vacancy caused by Leah Wilson's resignation, effective March 31.
 
Co-Superintendent Neil Smith briefed the Board on the statutory requirements for replacement of a board member. The Berkeley City Charter charges the Board with appointing a replacement board member by May 17th, after which time the County Superintendent calls for a Special Election, if the Board has been unable to fulfill its obligation. The Charter does not specify the details of the appointment process.
 
The Board outlined a process whereby applicants for the position could complete an application form that will be made available following approval at the March 27th board meeting. The form will be posted online at berkeley.net and available in hard copy at the Office of the Superintendent. Applicants will have until 4 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2013 to submit an application.
 
The Board discussed the contents of the application, the process and the timeline, and will finalize the details at the March 27th board meeting. Filling the board vacancy will not have an impact on the timeline established for the new Superintendent's hire.
 
Updates will be posted on our website as they become available.

In its 14th year, Best Communities for Music Education honors school districts that have demonstrated exceptional efforts toward maintaining music education as part of the schools' core curriculum. Berkeley is one of only 10 districts in California named among the 307 districts nation-wide to receive the distinction this year.

"I am thrilled to share this recognition with the students, parents, teachers and community music partners in Berkeley," said Suzanne McCulloch, BUSD Visual and Performing Arts Program Supervisor.

"As educators, we recognize the power of arts education to enrich students' lives and strengthen their learning in other subjects," stated Co-Superintendent Neil Smith. "This community has long supported the District's commitment to the arts through Berkeley Schools Excellence Program (BSEP), and through our local foundations."
Read the full story here.

With the superintendent application deadline now past, the Board is pleased with the strong applicant pool and is moving forward to screen and interview the most qualified candidates.  The search firm and School Board are using the meaningful data gathered from the participation of over 530 parents, students, employees, and other community members on the survey, at forums, and in stakeholder meetings.

The screening and initial interviews are scheduled for March 23-30; finalist interviews and candidate vetting will take place in early April. Superintendent Search webpage

Have you seen this sign hanging around Berkeley?  It's a public notice about the Emergency Exercise Event happening on April 27th in participating homes, neighborhoods, and local businesses.  Find out how you too can get prepared and participate on April 27th.  (This is not a district or school sponsored event.)

This is also a good time to take a moment to sign up for the City of Berkeley's public safety and emergency notification system.