Common+Core


 * Ask better questions to improve student learning Former administrator Ben Johnson in this blog post writes that teachers can improve student learning by changing the way they ask questions in the classroom. He suggests teachers not try to lead the conversation but rather facilitate a discussion in which students can talk to each other. Johnson also suggests teachers prepare their questions when they plan the lesson and scaffold questions from easy to hard. Edutopia.org/Ben Johnson's blog (6/26)

The adoption of the Common Core State Standards by most states is an attempt to create guidelines that can be used by educators across the country to teach math and English, with the goal of improving student proficiency. This two-part ASCD SmartBrief Special Report on the Common Core State Standards offers guidance to educators on what to expect as the standards are implemented. Part I examines the standards and how instruction will change. Part II, to be published Thursday, looks at how schools are beginning to align their teaching with the common core and how testing will change. || This two-part ASCD SmartBrief Special Report on the Common Core State Standards offers educators a guide to the latest information. Part II of this special report looks at how states and districts are preparing for the changes and how student assessments will be revamped. Part I of the report, published on Tuesday, looked at the standards in detail and how instruction will change. ||
 * ASCD SmartBrief Special Report:**
 * //Common Core State Standards (Part I)//** ||  ||
 * For many years, academic standards in the U.S. have differed by state, district and sometimes even school. The varying standards have resulted in wide disparities in student knowledge.
 * ASCD SmartBrief Special Report:**
 * //Common Core State Standards (Part II)//**
 * Now that the Common Core State Standards in English and math have been adopted by most states, how will teaching and learning change?

ASCD resources Common Core State Standards resources Common core data sheet Common core standards adoption by state map ASCD's Infobrief issue on the Common Core State Standards: Coming to Terms with Common Core Standards ASCD's Policy Priorities brief on the Common Core State Standards: Common Core Assessment Consortia

Other resources

Common Core State Standards Initiative

Common Core State Standards Initiative: The math standards

Common Core State Standards Initiative: The English language arts standards

Achieve's common core implementation guide

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers

SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium

Thomas B. Fordham Institute report: Now What? Imperatives and Options for "Common Core" Implementation and Governance

There’s a great new SED website for educators, __EngageNY.org__, with great teaching and learning tools including professional development guides, lesson plans, and other teaching resources tied to the new __Common Core standards__.