A few months ago, we partnered with the Aspen Institute, Student Achievement Partners, and Targeted Leadership Consulting, to create Implementation of the Common Core State Standards: A Transition Guide for School-level Leaders.
Many of you have told us that the guide has been really helpful in thinking through all the various components of implementing Common Core and we thought this would be a good time to revisit the guide, especially as you begin the budgeting and planning process for next school year.
The guide is structured around seven indicators of a high-quality transition to CCSS. The indicators provide a great opportunity for self-assessment to determine where your school or district is in the transition and where you need to get to in order to achieve a successful implementation.
#1: The Transition Team
A team that includes classroom teachers and administrators leads and is accountable for common understanding and implementation of the CCSS.
#2: Common Expectations
The leadership team establishes common expectations for CCSS-aligned instructional practice. School personnel use observation tools to support and assess this practice in mathematics, English language arts, science, social studies, and technical subjects.
#3: Professional Learning
Ongoing professional learning, including feedback and coaching systems, is focused on deepening educator knowledge of and facility with the CCSS.
#4: Data
School personnel use data from a CCSS-aligned assessment system (including interim/ benchmark and summative assessments as well as ongoing collection of student work) to inform instruction and gauge effective implementation of CCSS.
#5: Instructional Resources
Instructional resources, whether purchased or developed, are aligned to the CCSS.
#6: Families and Communities
Families and communities are engaged in supporting the success of the CCSS.
#7: Staffing, Time and Money
Decisions about staffing, time, and spending reflect a prioritization of the CCSS.
Download the full guide to get more details and helpful advice on each of the indicators.