Curriculum Matters: Sample Items for Common Assessments Unveiled

[Howard Hartman]

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	August 18, 2012 [Mobile] [Online Version] [Printer-Friendly] [Login]
	TOP STORY Sample Items for Common Assessments Unveiled Experts suggest test-makers will be challenged to write items that will measure the depth of knowledge expected. View more Curriculum and Instruction stories from Education Week. Advertisement Micro-Curriculum to Personalize Learning Technology and digital content provide a practical solution that gives teachers the flexibility to create a differentiated micro-curriculum that matches the right combination of unique teaching and learning assets to each student for a customized learning experience. Download New Whitepaper. RURAL EDUCATION Pilot Program Targets Gifted Rural Students Johns Hopkins' program for talented youths enrolls rural scholarship students in its summer residential camps. View more Rural Education stories from Education Week. Advertisement Reader's Theater Helps Test Scores Rise Differentiated instruction in E. Hartford, CT led to big gains and included Reader's Theater scripts with roles at the right reading level for each student. From kindergarten through middle school, leveled Reader's Theater makes learning active, effective, and engaging. Click for free sampler. COMMON STANDARDS Questions Dog Common-Test Development In the wake of announcing a new suite of tests, ACT Inc. pulls out of a contract with one of the groups crafting common assessments. View more Common Standards stories from Education Week. MATHEMATICS 'Publishers' Criteria' for Math Stresses Focus The document by the lead writers of the common core is being welcomed by the education community, with noted shortcomings. View more Mathematics stories from Education Week. COMMENTARIES Solving the Textbook-Common Core Conundrum Beverlee Jobrack explains how schools can identify effective teaching materials as they embark on the implementation of the standards. Give the Standards Back to Teachers Teachers need to "own" the common standards, too, if standards are going to improve learning, John Ewing writes. View more Commentaries from Education Week. FEATURED BLOG: CURRICULUM MATTERS New Research Expands Thinking on Text Complexity (August 15, 2012) Top Math Achievers Are Spread Unevenly Across Similar Schools (August 15, 2012) IB Program Ousted in Idaho School District (August 13, 2012) NAEP to Expand Use of Background Data (August 7, 2012) Visit the Curriculum Matters blog. FEATURED BLOG: State EdWatch Virginia 6th Graders Don't Wilt Under Tough New Math Standards (August 15, 2012) 13 States Adopt 3rd Grade Reading Policies, But Details Vary (August 13, 2012) Visit the State EdWatch blog. UPCOMING WEBINARS Managing the Print-to-Digital Transition Tuesday, August 21, 2 p.m. ET Underwriting for this webinar has been provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Officials, educators, and publishers have pushed for schools to replace print textbooks with e-texts and digital content, to save money and improve learning in the process. But how are school districts managing the digital transition right now, in a time of budget cuts and uncertainty about technology's effectiveness in education? Click here to register for this free live event. E-Learning in the Age of Choice Tuesday, August 28, 1 p.m. ET Sponsored by Learning.com Some states are now mandating that districts provide students with a variety of choices for how they use online learning opportunities. States and districts are also working on how to use a range of technology tools to access online courses. Join two experts who can help educators make the right choices for what to offer students. Click here to register for this free live event. Creating Learning Connections: Effective Use of Social Media in the Classroom Wednesday, August 29, 4 p.m. ET Sponsored by USC Rossier School of Education In this webinar, two experts on the use of digital technology in education will explore ways to use social-media tools to deepen and bring new relevancy to instruction and to create thriving collaborative-learning environments. Click here to register for this free live event. Education Week SPOTLIGHT Spotlight on Implementing Common Standards In order to implement the Common Core State Standards, educators need instructional materials and assessments. But not all states are moving at the same pace, and some districts are finding common-core resources in short supply. This Spotlight highlights the curriculum, professional development, and online resources available to help districts prepare for the common core. See other Spotlights.		Most Viewed 1. Who Makes the Rules in a Classroom? Seven Ideas About Rule-Making (Teacher in a Strange Land Blog) 2. 'Hybrid' Home Schools Gaining Traction 3. Consortia Provide Preview of Common Assessments 4. Response: Several Ways to Get the New Year Off to a Good Start (Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo Blog) 5. Motivating Reluctant Writers With Journals Some stories may require subscription. FOLLOW US Join over 100,000 followers of @educationweek to keep up with the latest from our newsroom. Our curriculum reporters are also on Twitter, and constantly updating with news on common standards, STEM learning, and more. Follow Catherine Gewertz and Erik Robelen. Search Education Jobs + Girls’ School Leader Young Women's Leadership Network, Newark, NJ + Assistant Director (Operations and Business) American Embassy School, New Delhi, India, Ne, India + Science Teacher Alhambra Elementary District #68, Phoenix, AZ + Program Manager Renaissance Learning, Osceola, AR EDUCATION WEEK EVENTS Managing the Print-to-Digital Transition Webinar Aug. 21, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Register now. E-Learning in the Age of Choice Webinar Aug. 28, 1:00 p.m. Eastern Register now. Creating Learning Connections: Effective Use of Social Media in the Classroom Webinar Aug. 29, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Register now. Sponsored by: Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California When Teacher's Out: Building a Professional Substitute-Teaching Force Webinar Sept. 6, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Register now. Teaching 21st-Century Skills Outside the School Day Webinar Sept. 11, 1:00 p.m. Eastern Register now. How One District Is Putting the Common Standards Into Practice: A Case Study Webinar Sept. 13, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Register now. Sponsored by: Pearson WHITE PAPERS An Introduction to CCSS and Curricula Voyager Expert View of the Textbook Reformation Center for Digital Education Using Technology to Drive ELL Achievement  Rosetta Stone Results from New PD Model: Online Coaching  Tutor.com Digital Micro-Curriculum to Personalize Learning Knovation How Districts Use Data to Drive Proactive Decisions  SAS Research Finds That Master’s Degrees Make a Difference in Student Performance The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University Using Technology to Personalize Instruction DreamBox Learning Talent Mgmt & Enhancing Educator Effectiveness Cornerstone On Demand Addressing the Challenges of Mobile Learning Blackboard Data Systems That Help Schools Make a Difference SAS Great Books Programs Fit the CCSS Great Books Foundation
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