3.3 Connecting Next Generation Assessments to the Standards

Common Core "Shifts"

Common Core Shifts for ELA/Literacy*

1. Complexity: The standards require regular practice with complex text and its academic language
2. Evidence: The standards emphasize reading and writing grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational
3. Knowledge: The standards require building knowledge through content rich non-fiction

Common Core Shifts for Mathematics*

1. Focus: The standards focus in on the key content, skills and practices at each grade level
2. Coherence: Content in the standards builds across the grades, and major topics are linked within grades
3. Rigor: In major topics, the standards highlight conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and application

These shifts have implications for how students will be assessed (question/task types.)  At the same time, Michigan is moving a new assessment delivery system (online.)

Your focus in the classroom should not be "teaching to the test."  Rather, if you are effectively teaching the standards for your grade level and content area to all students, they will perform well on the assessments.  How can you design lessons that will teach the standards and create a level of comfort in the online environment?  Keep this in mind as you move through the modules of this course!

*Source: http://www.parcconline.org/samples/item-task-prototypes#2