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 emphasize 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.

The need for a cohesive and comprehensive curriculum that intentionally connects standards, instruction, and assessment has never been more pressing. For educators to meet the challenging learning needs of students they must have a clear road map to follow throughout the school year. Rigorous Curriculum Design presents a carefully sequenced, hands-on model that curriculum designers and educators in every school system can follow to create a progression of units of study that keeps all areas tightly focused and connected.

Although more and more students have the test scores and transcripts to get into college, far too many are struggling once they get there. These students are surprised to find that college coursework demands so much more of them than high school. For the first time, they are asked to think deeply, write extensively, document assertions, solve non-routine problems, apply concepts, and accept unvarnished critiques of their work. College Knowledge confronts this problem by looking at the disconnect between what high schools do and what colleges expect and proposes a solution by identifying what students need to know and be able to do in order to succeed. The book is based on an extensive three-year project sponsored by the Association of American Universities in partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts. This landmark research identified what it takes to succeed in entry-level university courses. Based on the project's findings - and interviews with students, faculty, and staff - this groundbreaking book delineates the cognitive skills and subject area knowledge that college-bound students need to master in order to succeed in today's colleges and universities. These Standards for Success cover the major subject areas of English, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, second languages, and the arts.

This is a methods book for preservice middle level majors and beginning middle school teachers. It takes a very practical approach to learning to teach middle school mathematics in an emerging Age of the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSSM) is not meant to be “the” official mathematics curriculum; it was purposefully developed primarily to provide clear learning expectations of mathematics content that are appropriate at every grade level and to help prepare all students to be ready for college and the workplace. A quick glance at the Table of Contents in this book indicates a serious engagement with the recommended mathematics underlying the Grade 5 through Grade 8 and (traditional pathway) Algebra I portions of the CCSSM first, with issues in content-practice assessment, learning, teaching, and classroom management pursued next and in that order. In this book we explore what it means to teach to the CCSSM within an alignment mindset involving content-practice learning, teaching, and assessment. The Common Core state content standards, which pertain to mathematical knowledge, skills, and applications, have been carefully crafted so that they are teachable, learnable, coherent, fewer, clearer, and higher. The practice standards, which refer to institutionally valued mathematical actions, processes, and habits, have been conceptualized in ways that will hopefully encourage all middle school students to engage with the content standards more deeply than merely acquiring mathematical knowledge by rote and imitation. Thus, in the CCSSM, proficiency in content alone is not sufficient, and so does practice without content, which is limited. Content and practice are both equally important and, thus, must come together in teaching, learning, and assessment in order to support authentic mathematical understanding. This blended multisourced text is a “getting smart” book. It prepares preservice middle level majors and beginning middle school teachers to work within the realities of accountable pedagogy and to develop a proactive disposition that is capable of supporting all middle school students in order for them to experience growth in mathematical understanding that is necessary for high school and beyond, including future careers.

Create programs that prepare students for college, careers, and the new and challenging assessments of the Common Core State Standards Written for all educators but with an emphasis on those at the secondary level, this important resource shows how to develop programs that truly prepare students for both the Common Core assessments and for college and career readiness. Based on multiple research studies conducted by Conley as well as experience he has gained from working with dozens of high schools that succeed with a wide range of students, the book provides specific strategies for teaching the CCSS in ways that improve readiness for college and careers for the full range of students. Draws from research-based models for creating programs for high school students that will ensure readiness for tests and for college and beyond Includes strategies and practices for teachers to help students develop postsecondary preparedness Is the third in a series of books on readiness written by David Conley, including College Knowledge and College and Career Ready Teachers can use this valuable resource to understand the "big picture" behind the Common Core State Standards, how to teach to them in ways that prepare students for new, challenging assessments being implemented over the next few years and, more importantly, how to help all students be ready for learning beyond high school.

Neuropsychological and psychological evaluations in school settings are often rich in detail about a child’s cognitive, academic and emotional functions, and come with specific recommendations to support the child’s performance in school. However, there is often a gap between the assessment results and the implementation of the recommendations, since learning specialists and teachers frequently do not have the means to both interpret and implement the recommendations. This manual presents clear and specific guidelines for school counselors and teachers to decode and put into practice evaluation findings. The book begins by describing various functional domains that are assessed in a neuropsychological evaluation, and then notes how to recognize behavior and learning styles impacted by difficulty in one of more of the domains. Furthermore, it outlines activities that could be used in the classroom or other environments to support a child’s weaknesses, develop new skills, or appear to particular strengths. Finally, ready-to-use worksheets and activities are offered. This is an essential tool for school psychologists, special education teachers, and learning specialists and counselors.

Create a schoolwide foundation to ensure academic success for ALL students This useful guide supports the needs of culturally, linguistically, and academically diverse learners and demonstrates how a shared vision can increase student engagement and ensure that not-so-common learners benefit from academic rigor. Taking a system-wide approach, the authors offer educators a model arranged in six distinct yet complementary pathways to improve programs, policies, and practices for diverse learners. This innovative framework includes: Mapping and aligning an integrated curriculum—making the mainstream curricula accessible for all learners Collaborative planning and assessment—pooling intelligence so the whole is greater than the sum of its parts Teaching students explicit learning strategies—empowering students by increasing student-led learning Promoting disciplinary literacy—providing all students with access to pertinent academic language learning Featuring helpful tables that outline key concepts and real-life vignettes from schools that have successfully applied the principles, this book unlocks success for all students. "Dove, Honigsfeld, and Cohan recognize the urgent need for practices to change on a schoolwide basis so that diverse learners can be positioned to succeed with the Common Core. This book outlines inclusive practices so that all students are included in these important conversations." —Diane Staehr Fenner, President DSF Consulting "In Beyond Core Expectations, the authors present a coherent framework for schoolwide instructional inclusiveness. This book is an essential guide for educators with a vision for true college and career readiness for ALL students, driven by sound curriculum, instruction and assessment practices." —Cheryl H. Champ, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Sewanhaka Central High School District, Floral Park, NY