Monday, March 26, 2012

Common Core State Standards Plan - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

Common Core State Standards Plan - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education):


State Schools Chief Torlakson Announces Plan to Implement Common
Core State Standards Presented to Governor and State Legislature

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Systems Implementation Plan for California was presented to executive and legislative branches of state government.
"After months of planning and collaborating with our implementation partners, we have presented the Governor and State Legislature with a living document to guide California's implementation of the Common Core State Standards," said Torlakson. "This work will take our state's already world-class standards to a new level, emphasizing a deep understanding of English-language arts and mathematics to ensure our students complete high school, ready to thrive in college and careers."
Standards define the knowledge, concepts, and skills students should acquire at each grade level. The CCSS were developed through a state-led initiative to establish consistent, clear education standards for English-language arts and mathematics across the nation. The standards are research-based and internationally benchmarked—i.e., they are informed by the practices of academically high-achieving nations around the world. The CCSS are designed to prepare students for success in college and careers not only in the nation, but in the competitive global economy.
The CCSS Systems Implementation Plan for California describes the major phases and activities in the implementation of the CCSS throughout California's educational system. The first phase involves increasing awareness of the CCSS, introduces the initial planning system to implement it, and establishes ways to collaborate with interested parties. The second phase outlines a transition period by building resources, assessing needs, establishing new professional learning opportunities, and expanding collaboration between stakeholders. The third phase will include the implementation of new professional learning support; fully aligned curriculum, instruction, and testing; and the integration of these elements for all students.
California's State Board of Education last adopted standards for English-language arts and mathematics in 1997. Although California's 1997 academic content standards and the CCSS for English-language arts and mathematics are equal in their level of rigor and call for high expectation for all students, the Common Core standards provide for additional skills and knowledge necessary in a global economy and technology-rich workplace. For example, under the CCSS students will learn to work collaboratively and use digital media to express and present evidence-based fiction and non-fiction literary analysis. The CCSS also focus on extending mathematical thinking to real-world challenges so that students develop a depth of understanding and an ability to solve everyday problems through the power of mathematics. Full implementation of the CCSS is expected in 2014-15.
To view the CCSS Systems Implementation Plan for California and additional CCSS resources, please visit the California Department of Education Web site at Common Core State Standards Resources - Curriculum & Instruction.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

 




State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Nominates Four Green Schools to Represent California in New National Green Ribbon Schools Program

LAWNDALE—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today nominated Lawndale's Environmental Charter High School (Outside Source) and three other schools to represent California in the inaugural year of the new federal Green Ribbon Schools Program.
The other nominees are:
"Our state has always been a leader in environmental protection, and these four schools are proof positive that California's schools are still leading the way," Torlakson said. "As a science teacher, it is heartening to see how these schools are weaving sound environmental practices into the lessons in their classrooms and the daily life of their campuses. They are schools of the future, in the here and now. I am sure they will more than hold their own in this exciting new national competition."
The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) unveiled the Green Ribbon Schools Program in September. The California Department of Education collaborated with several state agencies and interested parties in developing the Green Ribbon Schools award application. The award criteria was intended to focus on measurable outcomes wherever possible, and based on a comprehensive approach incorporating environmental learning with maximizing positive environmental and health impacts.
Each state was allowed to submit up to four nominees, one of which must be a private school. The California Association of Private School Organizations reviewed the nine private school applications and determined the private school nominee. If a state submits more than one public school, one must be a school with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Some 52 California schools applied for one of programs. All applicants underwent a rigorous review before the four finalists were selected:
Environmental Charter High School, which has won numerous environmental awards, is called a "living campus" because 70 varieties of fruits and vegetables are raised at the school. The students, of which nearly 80 percent come from disadvantaged backgrounds, have constructed a rainwater capture system that supplies water to the grounds. Last month, the school unveiled its new solar greenhouse with a rooftop solar energy system and a solar-powered water pump to irrigate plants inside.
Longfellow Elementary School also has received many green awards, the latest of which is from the 2011-12 California K-12 School Recycling Challenge. The school has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 34 percent with everyday changes in behavior such as turning off all unneeded electrical equipment and lowering the thermostat. Any leftover "cold" food like milk or fruit from the cafeteria is collected daily and donated to the local food bank. In addition, 100 percent of its landscaping is considered water-efficient or regionally appropriate and the school produces its own compost.
Grand View Elementary School participates in Grades of Green Schools, Growing Great Schools, and is considered a "dark green" school because of its significant commitment to protect the environment. The school has reduced its lunch trash from 40 bags to two; and uses only certified green cleaning products. The school urges students to walk or bike to school and has established "Walk to School Wednesdays" with a "Walking School Bus" map that pinpoints locations where students can meet along the route and walk together.
The Athenian School has won many awards, including the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partner Recognition. The school receives 65 percent of its electrical power from an array of solar panels the school installed on a hillside. About 60 percent of Athenian's waste is recycled content. And nearly two million gallons of water have been saved annually with the installation of an all-weather sports field with recycled infill.
The applications of the four nominees are being forwarded today to the USDE for award consideration. The winners are expected to be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2012.
"We are extremely proud of our schools," Torlakson said, "and are hopeful that all nominees will be awarded so they will be able to serve as models to emulate around the nation."
For more information on the USDE Green Ribbon Schools Program, please visit the CDE Web site at Green Ribbon Schools Award Program - School Facility.
For Torlakson's Schools of the Future initiative, please visit the CDE Web site at Schools of the Future (PDF; 1MB; 92pp.) report.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
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