Reminder! At the top of this page are many items of interest–especially the item bank portal and the reponse to a visual image link.
Dear Colleagues, September 19, 2010
It always happens…you finally feel comfortable with a new format, and it is then replaced by yet something else, supposedly “new” and “improved. ” That seems to be the 21st century norm. Initially, that’s what I thought was happening when I heard whispers about the Common Core, officially adopted by Vermont in August 2010. My inside voice moaned and groaned about how I was finally well versed on the Standards and GEs…and now they were being replaced?! However, the more I learn about it–the more I believe that, for Vermont, this will be a minor cognitive/behavioral shift. This is in thanks TO our Standards, Grade Level Expectations, and our participation in the New England Consortium to develop NECAP. Vermont has been promoting its state standards for 15+ years; state educators are already used to a level of rigor borne out in our performance on NAEP, and; while there surely are inconsistencies, at least the state standards framework articulates a K-12 continuum. The Common Core may sculpt it a little differently, with its explicit emphasis on career/college readiness, but the rationale for this work is mostly reflected already in our state’s academic framework.
I do have some concerns regarding the political/business machine that fueled Common Core. It did not evolve from an inclusive model-rather it seemed to appear overnight with a rapid fire review and adoption plan. (See- Alternate view on common core–for a rather strong opinion regarding its history). Yes, this backstory could linger and possibly derail the effort, especially if there seems to be a pre-selected body of curricular resources being pushed along with the common core framework. Anything that “smells” like a pre-packaged national curriculum will not set well with most Vermont educators.
But, as of right now, the state will be providing professional development over the next four years to prepare us for full implementation of the Common Core in Vermont. The tentative goal is that our instruction and assessments will be in alignment with the Common Core by the year 2015. At this time, there will be a new assessment replacing NECAP–most likely computer-based with some capability to measure student’s individual growth as well as comparisons to norms. Until then, we will continue using our state framework and grade expectations, and NECAP will remain our statewide assessment/evaluation tool. As we go through this transition, it is important to remember all the learning that has transpired over the last 15 years, and that this will serve as foundation and fuel for the next stage.
Stay tuned for updates. Want more info? Go to Common Core Information Site.
Laura King, ACSU Literacy Leader
ACSU Literacy Place 