Full Description
In clear and concise language, veteran education writer Robert Rothman identifies nine instructional "shifts" encouraged by the new Common Core State Standards and provides examples of how teachers and school districts are overcoming challenges in implementation.
He presents the research and rationale behind each change and provides examples of teachers making the shifts as well as sample test questions that could be used to gauge student progress in the future. Rothman also addresses major challenges that are emerging as districts and schools move to implement the standards and highlights the ways leading school districts are working to overcome them.
Fewer, Clearer, Higher—the mantra adopted by the writers of the Common Core to emphasise the difference between existing state standards and the new ones needed to truly prepare all students for college or careers—is an indispensable guide for educators and anyone else seeking a better understanding of this major new development in education policy.
Contents
CONTENTS
Preface vii
The Common Core State Standards and the Next Chapter in American Education 1
Less Is More: Focus, Focus, Focus 15
Achieving Coherence 29
An End to the Math Wars 41
Covering All the Bases: Mathematical Practices 55
Just the Facts 67
Prove It 79
Up the Staircase: Text Complexity 93
Elevating Discussion 107
A Role for Everyone 121
The Road Ahead: Implementing the Common Core State Standards 133
Appendix
Resources on the Common Core State Standards 149
Notes 151
Acknowledgments 161
About the Author 163
Index 165
