Archive
component:what.standards
Common Core Will Save Not Cost Billions
Common Core State Standards lift expectations and create opportunity to compare results and share tools—a terrific set of benefits that America will reap for years. Fordham released a report today on the Cost of Implementing the Common Core. They concluded that states could save about $1 billion if they take full advantage of digital assessments and materials.
An Odd Couple of Measuring 21st Century Skills
The morning session at the Technology Enhanced Assessments conference hosted by the K12 Center at ETS and CCSSO featured what Michael Russell, Measured Progress, called a formative assessment odd couple—a messy science virtual world and a math homework helper.
Technically Speaking: How Common are the Common Core?
How common are the CCSS really, and who is systematically tracking state-specific CCSS modifications and additions? Doug Levin asks important questions about the Common Core. How much variation in state-specific CCSS standards language can be tolerated at a technical level to ensure interoperability across states? What is the process for ongoing governance of CCSS implementation at the technical level?
Alliance President Bob Wise Addresses the Common Core Naysayers
Following up on Alliance Senior Fellow Robert Rothman's blog post from last week, Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia, responds to individuals who are skeptical of the impact that the common core state standards will have on student achievement.
How Intelligent Scoring Will Help Create an Intelligent System
The Hewlett Foundation is sponsoring a competition that will demonstrate that automated essay scoring is already pretty good—on most traits it is as good as expert human graders. This prize competition will make it better. The reason Hewlett is sponsoring the competition is that they want to promote deeper learning—mastery of core academic content, critical reasoning and problem solving, working collaboratively, communicating effectively and learning how to learn independently.
SMARTER Reading & Writing?
Fordham's Kathleen Porter-Magee criticized the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium reading assessment strategy
SMARTER Specs Suggest Complex Tests
SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) published its "content maps and specification" in English/language arts. They suggest complex tests that include adaptive assessment and demonstrations of learning.
Preserving Access to an Uncommon Curriculum
For deeper learning and dramatic improvement in college readiness, we need super systems rather than super tests: correlated components rather than common exams, and annual versions that evolve with capability.
Next Gen Learning Platforms
There needs to be a shift from the idea of 'common curriculum' to a next generation platform that allows for multiple pathways and customized playlists for students.
Pearson Supports Transition to Common Core
Pearson is supporting state and district transition to the Common Core with content, training, data and school imrpovement assistance