Common+Core+Standards

Please respond to the following items:

What did you learn?


 * fewer standards, higher rigor
 * additional assessments - keystone exams
 * Be ready to make changes
 * the content of the CC will keep the content of PA standards.

What are the advantages of implementing this in PDSD?
 * unified experience
 * focus
 * competitive
 * all taking the same assessment
 * all evaluated in the same consistent manner
 * understand the target
 * hold everyone more accountable especially at the secondary level
 * encourages cross disciplinary teaching/planning and collaboration
 * raises the rigor - no longer will the standards be the minimum expectations

What are the disadvantages of implementing this in PDSD?
 * could hinder the critical thinking, creativity if curriculum is too rigid or restrictive and prescriptive
 * teacher becomes a presenter of scripted programs
 * balance accountability and creativity and risk stunting the creativity and imagination of children with too much accountability
 * they are making the "box" smaller

What steps does PDSD need to take to implement?


 * Professional Development
 * Build in time for like teachers to collaborate
 * study curriculum vs. core standards and analyze the differences and need for revisions
 * set up supports for students who struggle with meeting the standards - remediation, data,
 * training for the "non-core" teachers to link to the core standard within their lessons (Art, Music, PE, Health, World Languages, Social studies)

Questions?