Common Core State Standards Open For Public Comment

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The California Department of Education has released a draft of the “Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve” for public comment, a key step in moving all California public schools to the Common Core State Standards.

A set of Common Core Standards in Science is also available for public comment. Three public meetings will be held throughout California in April and May to accept public comment on the latest draft of the “Next Generation Science Standards” (NGSS).

Educational standards describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade from kindergarten through high school.

Science Standards

The updated NGSS reflect the major advances in science over the past 15 years and aim to help students achieve the practical skills they need to succeed outside the classroom, maintaining California’s economic and technology leadership in the world.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said the Math Framework and the Next Generation Science Standards are an important step on California’s path toward the Common Core State Standards. “(They will) provide a practical way to prepare children for the challenges of a constantly changing world by learning step-by-step the practical skills they need for career and college,” said Torlakson.

“Frameworks” provide guidance for implementing the new standards. “Standards” define the knowledge and skills students should acquire at each grade level. The draft Math Framework differs from the last one approved by the State Board of Education in 2005, because it is aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

Math Framework

The draft Math Framework shows the progress from kindergarten to higher-level math using three principles: The first principle is “focus,” an emphasis on the math concepts and content in the standards. The second principle is “coherence,” the connections between mathematics topics that create a progression of learning from kindergarten through high school. The third principle, “rigor,” calls for instruction with an equal emphasis on developing students’ understanding, procedural skills, and ability to apply mathematics to solve problems inside and outside the classroom

This draft Math Framework links to implementation tools and research; describes options for higher math even at the middle-school level, including Algebra I; provides greater support for universal access for English learners and students with disabilities; changes the approach to technology; and aligns with the Smarter  Balanced Assessment Consortium’s test content specifications. Smarter Balanced is the new computer adaptive student assessment system. The draft Math Frameworks also will help guide publishers in developing instructional materials.

California is part of a multi-state consortium that developed the Common Core State Standards for math and English. They keep the best of California’s current standards, but replace outdated ways of learning with a clear focus on the key knowledge and skills students need, and provide teachers the time to teach them well.

California Education Code Section 60207 requires the State Board of Education to adopt a revised mathematics curriculum framework. The draft Math Framework is the culmination of several years of work involving educators, content experts, and other education and community leaders.

Public Comment

The public will have until June 20, 2013, to review the draft Math Frameworks located at the California Department of Education’s Public Review and Comment on the Math Framework Web page. To leave comments, people may use the online 2013 Mathematics Frameworks Online Survey, or visit one of the 23 Learning Resource Display Centers statewide, where a hard copy of the draft will be available.

The public comments on Math standards will then be presented to the Instructional Quality Commission this summer for review and possible inclusion into the final Math Frameworks. The State Board of Education may take action on the final Math Frameworks this fall.

View the latest draft of the science standards at the Next Generation Science Standards website. 

Article: Common Core State Standards For Schools Open For Public Comment

Source: Santa Clarita News

Author: Kevin Kelton

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