Common Core State Standards
District 90 is engaged in one of the most significant educational changes to occur in education in recent decades: the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Common Core is the first successful effort to align learning standards on a national level. Illinois and 43 other states have adopted the Common Core to replace their state standards, which can vary widely. The overarching vision is to ensure that U.S. students are thoroughly prepared for college, careers, and a globally competitive society. Furthermore, the CCSS are intended to surpass the most stringent state standards and create uniform learning expectations for all students, no matter where they live.
Developed collaboratively by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Common Core emphasizes English/Language Arts and Math, as well as the integration of technology into instruction and learning. Additionally, far more nonfiction/informational reading will be required, allowing greater integration of literacy with social studies and science.
Developed collaboratively by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Common Core emphasizes English/Language Arts and Math, as well as the integration of technology into instruction and learning. Additionally, far more nonfiction/informational reading will be required, allowing greater integration of literacy with social studies and science.
Real World Learning
Common Core State Standards are designed to be relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that young people need today. The standards are fewer in number than typical state standards, but much deeper. The goals are focused and coherent, and set high expectations for all students. Assessment based on the new standards begins in 2014 across the entire state, and the Illinois Standards Achievement Tests (ISATs) will be replaced with assessments created by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC).
In mathematics, the Common Core is intended to help children build a very strong sense of mathematical concepts. As a result, they should be able to think like mathematicians, as opposed to memorizing formulas, as many of us experienced in our own math classes. To make that a reality, there are three significant shifts:
In mathematics, the Common Core is intended to help children build a very strong sense of mathematical concepts. As a result, they should be able to think like mathematicians, as opposed to memorizing formulas, as many of us experienced in our own math classes. To make that a reality, there are three significant shifts:
- Focus: Intentionally spending more time on fewer topics with higher expectations
- Coherence: Looking and thinking across grade levels and linking topics within each grade so that the content makes sense
- Rigor: Striving to build conceptual development, procedural skill, fluency, and real-world application
New Math Curriculum
Beginning in the summer of 2013, teachers began the process of significantly revising the math curriculum. They examined existing materials, activities and assessments against the standards, and identified needed changes. Then, they used resources from across the country to remake math at District 90. As a result, students are learning mathematical concepts at a much deeper level, particularly in the early grades. The process is not yet over, and we continue to refine the way we teach so that students can truly understand and engage in a rich exploration of mathematics.
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