On October 8, 2013, Los Nietos School District teachers and administrators gathered to understand current changes in assessment and accountability, and the steps the district will take to transition to the Common Core this school year
Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Jacqueline Cardenas, presented to teachers and administrators at the first District-wide Professional Development Day. The session was organized to explain the changes in assessment and accountability, summarize the steps the district will take to transition to the Common Core, and describe how Common Core funding will support securing technology, instructional materials, and professional development.
Participants learned that the assessment model for 2013 includes:
-STAR Content Standards Tests in Science for grades 5 and 8
-STAR California Modified Assessments in Science for students in mild-moderate Special Education classes (where appropriate) in grades 5 and 8
-CAPA in English Language Arts and Math for students in moderate-severe Special Education classes in grades 2-8, and CAPA in Science for grades 5 and 8
In addition to the fore-mentioned STAR tests, select grade levels of students will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments that are part of the new statewide student assessment system, the Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress. Students in grades 3-8 will participate in a field-test in either English Language Arts or Mathematics.
As discussed, the professional development for teachers this year is multi-tiered and builds capacity at the school site level. Teachers will engage in site planning, district collaboration meetings, and district-wide professional development. Teacher leaders have been identified to represent each school and will serve as part of the Teacher Leader Common Core Steering Committee, in addition to being trained to expand best practices in teaching, assessment, learning, and leading the learning for colleagues. Additional supports include coordinated, monthly professional development for teachers who provide services within the Special Education strand. The district is poised for continued success as all teachers learn and grow together.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Jacqueline Cardenas, presented to teachers and administrators at the first District-wide Professional Development Day. The session was organized to explain the changes in assessment and accountability, summarize the steps the district will take to transition to the Common Core, and describe how Common Core funding will support securing technology, instructional materials, and professional development.
Participants learned that the assessment model for 2013 includes:
-STAR Content Standards Tests in Science for grades 5 and 8
-STAR California Modified Assessments in Science for students in mild-moderate Special Education classes (where appropriate) in grades 5 and 8
-CAPA in English Language Arts and Math for students in moderate-severe Special Education classes in grades 2-8, and CAPA in Science for grades 5 and 8
In addition to the fore-mentioned STAR tests, select grade levels of students will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments that are part of the new statewide student assessment system, the Measurement of Academic Performance and Progress. Students in grades 3-8 will participate in a field-test in either English Language Arts or Mathematics.
As discussed, the professional development for teachers this year is multi-tiered and builds capacity at the school site level. Teachers will engage in site planning, district collaboration meetings, and district-wide professional development. Teacher leaders have been identified to represent each school and will serve as part of the Teacher Leader Common Core Steering Committee, in addition to being trained to expand best practices in teaching, assessment, learning, and leading the learning for colleagues. Additional supports include coordinated, monthly professional development for teachers who provide services within the Special Education strand. The district is poised for continued success as all teachers learn and grow together.