Common Core Standards Initiative -- and Common Core State Standards -- NGSS for Science
What is the Common Core Standards Initiative (CCSI) ?
The CCSI is a common core of state standards in English-language arts and mathematics for grades K-12 developed by Governors and state commissioners of education from 48 states, 2 territories and the District of Columbia. It is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
About the Standards
"These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs."
The standards are:
Aligned with college and work expectations;
Clear, understandable and consistent;
Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
Informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and Evidence-based.
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) released the first official public draft of the K-12 standards as part of the Common Core State Standards Initiative,
Source: Common Core Standards Initiative
About the Standards
There are now several States and Agencies releasing free Practice Tests or Sample Test Questions aligned with Common Core.
On June 2, 2010 The National Governors Association and State Education Chiefs Launched the Common State Academic Standards
Key Shifts in English Language Arts
READ THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS --
The following Files are *.pdf files and require Acrobat
Introduction to the Common Core State Standards
Applications of the Starndards for English Language Learners
Application to Students with Disabilities
English Language Arts Appendix A
English Language Arts Appendix B
English Language Arts Appendix C
Common Core Standards for Mathematics
--HTML FILES BY GRADE -- Kindergarten - Gr. 8 and High School
The Standards » English Language Arts Standards
Why is the Common State Standards Initiative (CCSI) important for the country?
".Today we live in a world without borders. To maintain America’s competitive edge, we need all of our students to be well prepared and ready to compete with not only their American peers, but with students from around the world. CCSSO and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) in partnership with Achieve, Inc., ACT, and the College Board have initiated a state-led process of developing and adopting a common core of state standards (Common Core State Standards Initiative). This initiative will build off of the research and good work states have already done to build and implement high-quality standards. This work presents a significant and historic opportunity for states to accelerate and drive education reform toward the ultimate goal of children—from states across the country—graduating from high school ready for college, work, and success in the global economy. CCSSO and the NGA Center believe every student must be as prepared as their peers in all states across the country and those peers in high-achieving countries." source: Council of Chief State School Officers
NATIONAL TESTS
How will testing under the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) be performed?
States appear to be ready for testing in 2014, many will develop an online strategy. The tests will be developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). Both of these organizations were awarded funds in September 2010 from the Race to the Top Assessment Program to create national online state standardized tests in mathematics and English language arts in line with Common Core State Standards (United States Secretary of Education Duncan, 2010). Read more -- Feds Award $330 Million To Find Alternatives to High-Stakes Bubble Tests
PARCC, a coalition of 26 states and administrative divisions, will focus on an approach that is designed eliminate the end term tests with assessments administered several times during the year resulting in an average final score.
SBAC, a coalition of 31 states, will take an approach that makes use of computer adaptive technology that will ask students tailored questions based on their previous answers.
COMMON CORE SCIENCE STANDARD - UPDATES TO NGSS (NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS)
The Common Core Standards have not yet developed a Science Curriculum. Currently the move by many states is to use the standards of the NGSS which was developed by The National Research Council (NRC), the National Science Teachers Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science. States are now joining together to form the NGSS Network. The Network held the first NGSS Annual Leadership Meeting for State Teams and National Partners in February 2014. Many states including California and New York are lead state Partners with California currently aligned to the standards and New York State planning to adopt them in January of 2016. The NGSS emphasizes the integration of core Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics content areas (STEM).
Edinformatics has designed a two part science test for end of year 8th grade which contains material necessary to prepare students for higher level science courses. Many of our activities are currently aligned to the NGSS.
EDINFORMATICS SCIENCE CHALLENGE
This two part science test was written by Edinformatics to challenge the very best of our science students. The test can be taken online and graded. There are content pages for each of the questions of part I.
The test has two parts: Part 1- Knowledge and Concepts -- Part 2 - Reasoning and Analysis
STATE APPROVAL OF COMMON CORE STANDARDS
The Common Core Standards Initiative Website currently keeps track of States that have adopted the program. Many states are making their own additions.
School and Student Performance Data-- The Nations Report Card.
Results of the 2009 NAEP mathematics assessment at grades 4 and 8 are now available. The assessment was administered in the winter of 2009 to a representative sample of 168,800 fourth-graders and 161,700 eighth-graders from 16,540 schools. Results of the grade 12 assessment will be available in 2010. Scores for most districts were higher than in 2003, but few make gains since 2007 see summary table for Nations largest city school districts.
For additional information see:
The Nation's Report Card--4, 8th and 12 gr--2019