CCSS Tip Sheets from ODE

Yesterday, ODE produced tip sheets for school boards, superintendents, and teachers about what they should be doing right now to continue (hopefully not “begin”!) implementing the common core.

In summary, School Boards should be

• creating an implementation timeline
• reviewing curriculum crosswalks
• checking out these simulated letter grades for schools or districts (based on the letter grade system I’ve detailed recently and have been following as it moves through legislation)
• begin conversations with teachers and administrators about those new evaluation systems I’ve been telling you about (see also: consequences as delineated in SB316, state approved assessments for the student growth measures portion of the evaluation, and the changes I discussed after the common core meeting)
• send someone to the evaluation symposium I’ve been touting (and am attending)
• talk about embracing technology, of which I am a huge proponent
• use the technology needs assessment survey and check out the minimum qualifications established by PARCC
• keep your community engaged and informed

Superintendents should be

• reviewing curriculum crosswalks
• checking out these simulated letter grades for schools or districts (based on the letter grade system I’ve detailed recently and have been following as it moves through legislation)
• engage in those evaluation conversations and decide if the district will use the state framework (OTES/OPES) or its own (though, that development will have to happen fast!)
• register for the evaluation symposium
• developing professionally and planning for professional development for staff (I might have some great ideas for that 🙂 )
• diving deeply into and analyzing data
• checking out what students currently know and are able to do.  Where is work going to be needed to raise the rigor and academic expectations for students?
• ensuring teachers are prepared to use formative and summative assessments to direct their instructional practices
• discuss and begin embracing technology
• Complete that technology readiness tool and look at those minimum technology requirements
• engage your community

Teachers should be

• taking an active role in all the initiatives happening right now–instead of sitting back and waiting for things to happen to you, be an active participant (leader?) in your profession.  (Ok, that was not on the ODE tips sheet, that came straight from me!)
• reviewing the crosswalks and revise your instructional practices.  Remember, the common core isn’t as “common” as you may be thinking, and meeting the standards means more than aligning to the words–it’s aligning to the intent
• developing professionally (following this blog is a great start!)
• analyzing data
• bringing those formative and summative practices into their classrooms and using them effectively to guide instruction (beginning with clear learning targets and evaluating their own grading practices)
• getting comfortable with and using technology
• being involved in the conversations about evaluations–just as an aside, sometimes, it’s incredibly beneficial for teachers to make grassroots efforts to come up with and propose ideas instead of waiting for admins and school boards to do all the leg work
• attending the evaluation symposium

Change happens; be a part of it.

Related Resources:

In Perspective post with even more links and information (Through the Ohio Resource Center)