Nov 12, 2013 ... Standards and the Treasures reading Series. ... crosswalk has also been
provided for the alignment of 6+1 and the Common Core State ... Upgrade of
READ 180 program to Next Generation Edition-fully aligned to CCSS with.
Middle Schools More Good News
Student Conduct Referrals Since implementation of the block schedule in middle schools, student conduct referrals have significantly decreased overall. Braddock2010-2011 (714 referrals) 2012-2013 (514 referrals) Mount Savage- Data for 2011-2012 (unavailable for comparison) Washington Middle 2010-2011 (1032 referrals) 2012-2013 (819 referrals) Westmar Middle 2010-2011 (265 referrals) 2012-2013 (253 referrals)
HIGHER LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT The longer periods give students the opportunity to explore subjects in depth. Instruction becomes focused around active learning, including hands-on projects, lab experiences, peer collaboration, and technology-enhanced classroom experiences.
FEWER TRANSITIONS Instructional time is not fragmented by frequent transitions between classes. Less time is spent on classroom management activities, such as calling attendance and organizing and focusing the class. In addition, there are fewer opportunities for students to arrive late to class and non-structured times in the hallway are significantly reduced.
ADVISORY The middle school advisory program provides times for teachers to create positive connections and relationships with students.
PBIS Every middle school has implemented the PBIS program that is based on Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports for students.
Common Core Update Board Of Education Meeting November 12, 2013 4:00 PM
ELA - Elementary • •
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An alignment and gap analysis has been completed for the Common Core State Standards and the Treasures reading Series. Essential questions for each reading selection have been developed for teachers to consider when creating lessons. These documents are available to teachers electronically. ELA curriculum mapping documents are also available to all elementary teachers. Essential questions for students have also been developed at each grade level for teachers, by teachers. The essential questions for students require students to go back into the text to support their answers. http://commoncore.allconet.org Writing continues to be an elementary area of focus. Treasures incorporates the 6+1 Writing Traits into weekly lessons. Elementary Reading Instructional Specialists are providing professional development to all teachers on the 6+1 Writing Traits. A crosswalk has also been provided for the alignment of 6+1 and the Common Core State Standards. Trait Crates, which provide disciplinary literacy opportunities, will be in place in all elementary schools by January 2014.
ELA - Elementary • •
Specialists are providing job embedded professional development through model lessons on the Trait Crates. The six traits are : – – – – – –
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Ideas Organization Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Conventions
And the plus one component of Presentation‐(which incorporates the listening and speaking standards) Two writing lessons for Opinion Writing have been locally developed and are being used at all grade levels in the elementary schools. The model lessons use the MSDE model lesson format.
Math - Elementary • • •
2nd year of full implementation Emphasis on students internalizing the Mathematical Practices. Currently administering grade level benchmarks by Domain. – We are using our student growth calculator to measure student attainment on benchmarks. – Grade 3 had 75% of the students reach or exceed their individual growth targets in Number and Operations in Base Ten. – Grade 4 had 74% of the students reach or exceed their individual growth targets in Operations & Algebraic Thinking. – Grade 2 had 83% of the students reach or exceed their individual growth targets in Operations & Algebraic Thinking. One possible reason for the percentage is that these students have been instructed in the Common Core for three years now. – We will be changing our benchmarks to a quarterly approach next year vs. the current approach of Domain.
Science - Elementary •
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Teachers in grades 3 ‐5 are now administering pre and post test benchmarks to measure student attainment. They will be implementing the use of scantron sheets at these grade levels. We are following State recommendations by building awareness of the Next Generation Science Standards as we prepare to implement in the 2017‐18 school year. – Teachers have been exposed to the new format of the Next Generation Science Standards. • Core Content • Cross‐Cutting Concepts • Practices Beginning in the second semester, we will be doing additional work with the Science and Engineering Practices and how they relate to ELA and Math Practices.
Social Studies Introduction of the C3 Framework The Framework is divided into 4 Dimensions Dimension 1: Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries Dimension 2: Applying Disciplinary Tools and Concepts( Civics , Economics , Geography, and History) Dimension 3: Evaluating Sources and Using Evidence Dimension 4: Communication Conclusions and Taking Informed Action
ELA - Secondary •
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Middle school units began to be implemented last year and the work continues this year. The goal is to have four units per grade level, two focused on literary text and two focused on informational text. School Improvement Specialists are now beginning to create benchmarks that mimic PARCC in order to assess student achievement on the standards covered in each unit. Overall middle school MSA reading scores improved in 2013. Grade 6 went from 83.4% proficient to 85.5, and grade 7 went from 77.8 to 83.5. 2013 growth in reading for all Allegany Co. middle schools was 69.39, a 1.13% increase over the AMO of 68.26. Upgrade of READ 180 program to Next Generation Edition‐fully aligned to CCSS with Writing , Language, and Speaking and Listening components. Adoption of Holt Literature in grades 6‐12, which has outlined an Essential Course of Study aligned to CCSS. This has been an enormous help in the writing on high school units, which began this past summer. What we know is that this is an on‐going process. Middle school teachers are revising the units that were taught last year and piloting the new units. High school teachers are all in pilot mode and will begin to revise and continue to write next summer.
Math - Secondary •
Common Core Units of Study Binders in PARCC Testing Areas given to all teachers.
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Math Overviews and Benchmarks have been updated to include Common Core Standards in Mathematics Objectives.
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Incorporating The Standards For Mathematical Practice and expected outcomes into lessons.
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Ready Common Core Workbooks and Teacher Resources given to Middle School Teachers.
Science - Secondary •
NSTA – recommended areas to prepare for NGSS
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Science and Engineering Practices – – Student Expectations – Investigate where they are already used in classrooms
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NGSS resources – books purchased – NGSS By States, For States ‐ Standards – Translating the NGSS for Classroom Instruction ‐How NGSS looks in the Classroom
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Currently‐ ELA, Rigor, Technology
Biomedical Science • November Board Members Principals & School Counselors News Release • January Program for 8th grade students Letter to parents of 8th graders • February Recruitment of cohort • March Course selection for 9th grade • Summer Teacher Training at Stevenson Univ.
Professional Development • Educator Effectiveness Academies – Past, Present, Future
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Universal Design for Learning Student Engagement SMART Trainings Strategic Implementation of Evidence‐Based Practices
PARCC Update •
All schools in ACPS will participate in a field test in the spring of 2014. The field test is a secure testing event‐ only students being tested will be able to view the assessment items.
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Schools may not change the grades, content areas, testing modes (i.e., computer based, paper‐based) for which it was selected. Most schools will either take the Performance Based or End of the Year Assessment.
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Classrooms are randomly selected. PARCC will provide additional guidance to schools on how to select classrooms.
• Students with disabilities and English Language Learners will be included in the Field Test. PARCC will provide additional guidance to schools.
PARCC Update • Training and Support • PARCC will provide a variety of training options for schools. Training will include regional training workshops, recorded webinars, and on‐demand training modules. (Special Education will be attending a conference on the administration of PARCC and accommodations on November 14.
• Sample Items PARCC released prototype items in August 2012 and sample items in August 2013. New sample items are expected to be released soon on the technology platform that students will use for the Field Test, providing an early opportunity for students and educators to engage with the tools and functionalities of the assessment.
PARCC Update • Practice Test •
In spring 2014, PARCC will also provide access to a free on line practice test for schools. The PARCC Practice Test will include technology‐enhanced items and will be delivered using the same technology platform that will be used for field testing.
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The PARCC Practice Test will include a sample of assessment items for each grade level/course and will be accompanied by scoring guidance information.
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Some accessibility features and accommodations will also be included on the PARCC Practice Test to allow students the opportunity to interact with the various tools and supports that will appear on the test, such as color contrast, magnification, and notepad features.
MSDE Site Visit •
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On November 1, MSDE conducted a site visit . The purpose of the visits was to gather information about district needs so that MSDE can better support school systems in the transition to Common Core. Their plan is to use the feedback to provide support through monthly webinars and the virtual academies next summer. During the visit they solicited feedback on Common Core implementation and use of the Blackboard Learning Management System. They conducted walkthroughs at both schools to see Common Core standards being implemented into lessons. – MSDE was very complimentary of the high level of student engagement during the walkthroughs. Students were collaborating in small groups, using SMART Board technology, completing lab work, and working on PARCC like assessment problems. They were pleased that teachers were acting as facilitators of learning and students were actively involved in the classroom activities.
GCC Presentation •
A panel of eight educators from ACPS and GCPS gave an update on the Common Core curriculum Thursday during a meeting held by the Greater Cumberland Committee.
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In September, Dr. Cox and Dr. Wilson gave a presentation to the GCC on the Common Core.
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November’s presentation was the conclusion to a two‐part series called “The ABC’s of Education.” The presentation focused on the alignment of the Common Core with college readiness and workforce needs .
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Carol Garner, current ACPS Teacher of the Year, and LeeAnn Zlomek, the 2012 ACPS Teacher of the Year, served on the panel.
Race to the Top Grants and Other Initiatives • Race to the Top District Grant • STEM Grant • MSP Grant • STEMnet • STEM Education Task Force
