Center for Standards, Assessment, and Accountability

Grade Level: Middle School (6-8)

Professional Development: Introduction to the ELA / Literacy Shifts

The Introduction to the ELA / Literacy Shifts Module is a 1-2 hour module that provides an introduction to the key shifts required by the Common Core State Standards for ELA / Literacy. The module is meant to be customized and tailored to meet the needs of educators. Professional development facilitators are especially encouraged to […]

Professional Development: Introduction to the Math Shifts

The Introduction to the Math Shifts Module is a 1-4 hour module that provides an introduction to the key shifts required by the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). The module is meant to be customized and tailored to meet the needs of educators. Professional development facilitators are especially encouraged to customize any or […]

New Twists on an Old Standard

Jason Zimba, a Common Core State Standards (CCSS) lead writer, uses specific standards to explain how small, but important, phrases tucked into the standards indicate shifts in the traditional approach to the CCSS. He uses specific cases from the standards to demonstrate how the specific wording of individual standards can suggest a shift in approach. 

Observations on CCSSM Standards for Mathematical Content: What Content is Visibly Emphasized?

This guidance document visually demonstrates what content is emphasized through the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). In addition to visually displaying and providing reasoning for the major differences in emphases between the pre-CCSSM strand model and the CCSSM model, the document describes and provides further resources for these emphases across three levels: the […]

Handbook for Culturally Responsive Science Curriculum

This handbook presents an overview of culturally responsive Alaska Native science curriculum, including vignettes and samples of classroom lessons. The author describes ways in which existing learning models can be modified to include Alaskan Native methods for teaching and learning, with suggestions of how to include Native elders in meaningful ways. The handbook discusses best practices within inquiry-based teaching and […]