In 2010, voluntary model standards were developed in math and English by the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) that became known as the Common Core State Standards. The motivation behind this project was a need, articulated by the business community, for more rigorous academic standards to produce high school graduates who were immediately ready for college or the workforce. Over the last two years, Pennsylvania is one of several states to use the Common Core State Standards as a guide to the adoption of a revised set of math and reading standards tailored to Pennsylvania’s specific educational needs. Public school districts across the Commonwealth will be accountable to the new “Pennsylvania Core Standards” beginning in the 2014-15 school year. As with the original PA Academic Standards, it will be at the discretion of the local districts to determine the day-to-day curriculum and the instructional tools that teachers use to assist students in meeting the new standards.
Here in the Tyrone Area School District, administrators and teachers have been working diligently to make the transition to the new PA Core Standards. Staff is working to realign the Mathematics and English Language Arts curricula, in addition to ensuring that the tasks and assignments utilized in the classrooms address the shifts in teaching and learning in ALL content areas. In English Language Arts and other core subject areas (ex. Science and Social Studies), an emphasis on building knowledge through content-rich informational text, reading, writing, and speaking grounded in evidence from text, and regular practice with complex text and academic vocabulary highlight the major shifts in the PA Core Standards. In Mathematics, a more narrow focus and deep understanding of concepts, along with real-world application, is emphasized. Students are encouraged to persevere and attend to precision in solving mathematical problems, as well as construct arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
The staff and students of the Tyrone Area School District are up for the challenge of the new standards and look forward to the coming months as they re-examine current materials and practices.
FAQs
Does PA have Common Core Standards? ›
What each state decides to do with these standards, will determine what cost if any - is assumed by each state. Pennsylvania has had standards developed since the late 1990s and are now using the model Common Core recommendations to raise the rigor of existing standards.
What is the purpose of the Common Core State Standards CCSS )? ›This article is also available as handout to download and print. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) represent a coherent progression of learning expectations in English language arts and mathematics designed to prepare K–12 students for college and career success.
What's the difference between curriculum and standards? ›Standards are broad learning goals articulating what students should know, understand and be able to do over a given time. A curriculum is an organized plan of instruction comprised of a sequence of instructional units that engages students in mastering the standards.
What is PA eligible content? ›The Eligible Content is the most specific description of the content that is assessed on the Keystone Exams. This level is considered the assessment limit and helps educators identify the range of the content covered on the Keystone Exams.
Which states do not follow Common Core Standards? ›The four states that never adopted the Standards are Virginia, Texas, Alaska, and Nebraska. The four states who have successfully withdrawn from the curriculum are Arizona, Oklahoma, Indiana, and South Carolina.
What is the difference between Common Core and State Standards? ›What are some key differences between the current California Content Standards and the Common Core Standards? English Language Arts: CA Common Core State Standards expose students to more complex text, meaning what they read will have a higher level of difficulty.
What should be the relationship between standards and curriculum? ›While standards provide the goals for learning, curriculum is the day-to-day activity that helps a student meet those goals. Curriculum creates the student's overall classroom experience and includes lesson plans, classroom assessments, textbooks, and more.
Why are standards needed in curriculum? ›Content standards create a clear outline of essential knowledge, skills, and understanding that students need to master in the given content area.
What are the two types of standards in education? ›There are two types of standards: content and performance (achievement).
When did Common Core start in PA? ›The State Board adopted Common Core Standards in July 2010.
What is the Pennsylvania Standards Aligned System? ›
The SAS portal is designed to organize and deliver educational content carefully aligned to the Pennsylvania Academic and Core Standards and provide educators with integrated classroom tools to enhance their teaching effectiveness.
What is Pennsylvania's Commonwealth System of Higher Education? ›The Commonwealth System of Higher Education is a statutory designation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that confers "state-related" status on four universities in Pennsylvania: Lincoln University, the Pennsylvania State University, Temple University, and the University of Pittsburgh.
When were common core standards adopted? ›The adoption of the CCSS in California in 2010 was an outcome of an extensive review process. Review the significant events that led to California's adoption of the CCSS.