Reaching the Mountaintop: Addressing the Common Core Standards in Mathematics for Students with Mathematics Difficulties

The Common Core State Standards provide teachers with a framework of necessary mathematics skills across grades K‐12, which vary considerably from previous mathematics standards. In this article, we discuss concerns about the implications of the Common Core for students with mathematics difficulties (MD), given that students with MD, by definition, struggle with mathematical skills. We suggest that instruction centered on the Common Core will be challenging and may lead to problematic outcomes for this population. We propose that working on foundational skills related to the Common Core standards is a necessary component of mathematics instruction for students with MD, and we provide teachers with a framework for working on foundational skills concurrent with the Common Core standards. We caution, however, that implementation of the Common Core is in its infancy, and the implications of the Common Core for students with MD need to be monitored carefully.     

为升学和就业做准备:美国“共同核心州立标准”述评

2010年,美国颁布的共同核心州立标准标志着美国基于标准的教育改革迈出突破性的步伐。此次颁布的标准包括《共同核心州立数学标准》和《共同核心州立英语标准》两份文件,分别对相应学科领域K-12年级学生在特定年龄阶段应该掌握的知识和技能作出了明确的规定,旨在让所有学生做好升学和就业的准备,以确保美国的国际竞争力。共同核心州立标准致力于弥补已有的全国标准和州立标准的不足,其制定以事实和研究为依据,特点是清晰、集中而连贯。     

美国“共同核心州立标准”中K～2年级数学标准简介

美国2010年颁布的"共同核心州立标准"包括《共同核心州立数学标准》和《共同核心州立英语语言标准》。"共同核心州立标准"的颁布对美国基础教育整体质量的提升有积极作用。本文对《共同核心州立数学标准》的目标、结构以及K～2年级的具体内容作了介绍。美国的经验有一定借鉴价值。     

The Common Core State Standards and Reading: Interpretations and Implications for Elementary Students with Learning Disabilities

The K‐5 reading standards within the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards provide guidance to teachers about grade level expectations for students. Though the authors of the standards acknowledge that some students may experience difficulty reaching the rigorous expectations, they explain that the standards outline a pathway to proficiency for all students, including those who struggle with literacy. Students with learning disabilities, who often have significant literacy difficulties, may face particular challenges when their instruction is framed by these standards. This article unpacks the complex K‐5 reading standards and provides a discussion of the implications for students with learning disabilities and their general and special education teachers. Examples from K‐5 lessons and recommendations for teachers and researchers are provided.     

The Common Core State Standards: An Opportunity to Enhance Formative Assessment in History/Social Studies Classrooms

This article discusses the opportunity that the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) present for enhancing formative assessment (FA) in history and social studies classrooms. There is evidence that FA can enhance learning for students if implemented well. Unfortunately, teachers continue to be challenged in implementing FA in their classrooms. We examined reading standards for literacy in history and social studies in lesson plans created by preservice teachers in order to discuss opportunities presented by the CCSS for enhancing FA.     

美国“共同核心州立标准”中K～2年级语言标准简介

美国2010年颁布的"共同核心州立标准"包括《共同核心州立数学标准》和《共同核心州立英语语言标准》。本文介绍了《共同核心州立英语语言标准》的目标、结构以及K～2年级的具体内容。这份标准对我国《3～6岁儿童学习与发展指南》的制订与实施有借鉴意义。     

Conceptualizing and Assessing Higher-Order Thinking in Reading

Students engage in higher-order thinking as they read complex texts and perform complex reading-related tasks. However, the most consequential assessments, high-stakes tests, are currently limited in providing information about students’ higher-order thinking. In this article, we describe higher-order thinking in relation to reading. We provide a framework for understanding higher-order thinking in reading, in relation to relevant theories and research in reading, and standards and assessment initiatives. We conclude with the considerations in assessments of higher-order thinking in reading that can help teachers and students work toward attainment of the Common Core State Standards.     

Common Core State Standards,Writing, and Students with LD: Recommendations

This article examines the Common Core State Standards as they apply to writing and students with learning disabilities (LD). We first consider why the implementation of these standards is advantageous to writing instruction for students with LD as well as the challenges in implementing them. Next, we make the following four recommendations in terms of their implementation: (1) increase general and special education teachers’ knowledge about writing development; (2) create a writing environment in which students with LD can thrive; (3) employ evidence‐based writing practices in general education classes (where most students with LD are taught); and (4) use evidence‐based writing practices effective with students with LD. We conclude by considering research that still needs to be undertaken to help educators maximize the probability that students with and without LD meet the writing benchmarks proposed in these Standards.     

Characteristics of Children Who Struggle with Reading: Teachers and Speech-Language Pathologists Collaborate to Support Young Learners

Speech language pathologists (SLPs) have developed specialized knowledge about oral language and its relationship to early literacy development that can be particularly useful to early childhood educators. The purpose of this article is to highlight ways in which an SLP can support early childhood teachers in a Response to Intervention role by assessing and facilitating young students’ early literacy acquisition. In this article, we observe students who are struggling to attain one of the Common Core State Standards, discuss factors that may inhibit their typical development of early literacy, and illustrate several evidenced-based instructional practices to assist young students who struggle with reading to achieve success.     

Using a Cloud-based Computing Environment to Support Teacher Training on Common Core Implementation

A cloud-based computing environment, Google Apps for Education (GAFE), has provided the Anaheim City School District (ACSD) a comprehensive and collaborative avenue for creating, sharing, and editing documents, calendars, and social networking communities. With this environment, teachers and district staff at ACSD are able to utilize the deep feature-set to assist with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the new shift in research-based lesson design. Through the use of the cloud-based computing environment, teachers in the district are able to receive support for the effective implementation of the Common Core State Standards.     

Literacy Challenges and Opportunities for Students with Learning Disabilities in Social Studies and History

The Common Core State Standards for literacy in history and social studies present opportunities and challenges for teachers of and adolescents with learning disabilities (LD). In addition to reading challenges, students must engage in higher order thinking and reasoning. To provide opportunities for students to successfully respond to such challenges, teachers must have an understanding of the expectations in the Standards, and of the learning needs of students with LD. Teachers can assure success for adolescents with LD by selecting proven instructional procedures and engaging in collaboration to provide students with the supports they need. Examples of one evidence‐based practice, Content Enhancement, are provided to illustrate instructional protocols for teachers of diverse classes that include adolescents with LD.     

Common Core State Standards: Challenge and Collaboration

The Common Core State Standards provide a framework of internationally benchmarked standards that outline what students should know, understand, and be able to do in order to be college and career ready. This essay explores the untapped potential in the sharing of resources across the nation, especially during times of economic challenges.     

美国《州共同核心数学标准》解读

美国州长协会最佳实践中心和州首席教育官员理事会共同颁布了首部《州共同核心数学标准》。《标准》阐述了幼儿园、1～8年级、高中三个阶段的教学内容。《标准》旨在实现如下特征：发展学生数学的实践能力、强调理解数学、技术对数学产生巨大影响、明确了美国中小学生数学素养内涵。标准的研制工作与国际基准存在差距,几何内容的设计尚需教学实践的检验。     

Questioning reform in the standards movement: professional development and implementation of common core across the rural South

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were adopted in an effort to create a consistent set of standards across schools, districts, and states in order to ensure equality of educational opportunities for all students in the country. Educational reform through standardization implies that across thousands of miles and millions of students, individual classroom teachers are able to create equitable instruction based on policy and curriculum mandates. For such reform efforts to be successful, standards must be implemented with fidelity, thoroughness, and strong support from stakeholders. The present study examines the role of teacher preparation for CCSS implementation, notably in rural and economically depressed districts in the American South. Teachers were surveyed about their CCSS professional development experiences and needs, CCSS instructional and assessment practices, and perceptions of student learning related to new standards. The analysis reveals that teachers do not feel fully prepared to teach according to CCSS, and highlights areas of professional development where districts failed to support effective teacher implementation. Findings from this study illustrate inequitable professional development for teachers and provide implications for professional development types, content, and quality that teachers perceive as essential for CCSS success.     

Common Core State Standards and Adaptive Teaching

This article examines the issues of how Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will impact adaptive teaching. It focuses on 2 of the major differences between conventional standards and CCSS: the increased complexity of text and the addition of disciplinary literacy standards to reading instruction. The article argues that adaptive teaching under CCSS requires adaptations of teachers, as well as adaptation to student responses. These phenomena are particularly critical when using texts of higher complexity and when teaching reading in different disciplines.     

Too Much Too Soon? Common Core Math Standards in the Early Years

The author expresses concern about the math standards of the Common Core Curriculum in relation to young children. The editorial cites others who share concerns about how the global community uses standards. She suggests caution in implementation because the overemphasis on the standards may overlook the investment needed in effective curriculum development and professional development for teachers. The editorial concludes with the revisions will be neccesary to the current version of the Common Core Standards given the concern.     

Web-Based Professional Development Model to Enhance Teaching of Strategies for Online Academic Research in Middle School

High-quality professional development is needed to prepare teachers to help students learn how to conduct online academic research and meet Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. This study created and evaluated a Web-based professional development program with five instructional modules designed to prepare middle-school teachers to teach their students nine strategies for conducting academic research online. The online professional development program was specifically created to help teachers implement the previously developed online SOAR Student Toolkit curriculum with all students in inclusive classrooms. Results of a 2015–2016 pilot study conducted with 13 teachers and 477 students in sixth to eighth grades indicated that most teachers perceived the professional development program to be of high quality and relevant in helping them teach online research skills to their students. Students significantly improved online research skills after learning from trained teachers (27 percentage points improvement, from 18% at pretest to 45% at posttest).     

Transitioning from practicing teacher to teacher leader: a case study

Given US students’ lack of international competitiveness in mathematics and science, many states have adopted the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). To help ensure that the Standards for Mathematical Practice within the CCSSM and effective teaching practices are implemented appropriately, many teachers are emerging as teacher leaders with the intent of supporting teachers with this implementation. Unfortunately, not all of these teachers are necessarily prepared in the field of teacher leadership. Recognizing the importance of having well-prepared teacher leaders, this article describes the case of Ms. Hodges, as she transitioned from mathematics teacher to teacher leader. Data revealed that several factors affected Ms. Hodges’ transition, some positively and others negatively. These results as well as implications for teacher leader development are provided.     

Cognitive and linguistic features of adolescent argumentative writing: Do connectives signal more complex reasoning?

Reading and Writing - The Common Core State Standards (Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2010) feature argumentative writing across the curriculum in grades 4 through 12, yet little is known...     

Validating Automated Measures of Text Complexity

Automated text complexity measurement tools (also called readability metrics) have been proposed as a way to help teachers, textbook publishers, and assessment developers select texts that are closely aligned with the new, more demanding text complexity expectations specified in the Common Core State Standards. This article examines a critical element of the validity arguments presented in support of proposed metrics: the claim that criterion text complexity scores developed from students’ responses to reading comprehension test items are reflective of the difficulties actually experienced by students while reading. Evidence that fails to support this assertion is examined, and implications relative to the goal of obtaining valid, unbiased evidence about the measurement properties of proposed readability metrics are discussed.