March+2010

March 3, 2010
 * Curriculum Council Minutes**

Nancy Alibrandi, Val Aubry, Michael Bessette, Tina Blinn, Bill Carozza, Steve Chamberlin, Sally Codd, Mark Dickson, Marcia McCaffrey, Chris Sousa, Dave Tilley Jim Brizard, Tim Stokes, Deb Jones
 * Members Present:**
 * Also Presen**t:
 * Place and Time: MSS 3:15 - 4:15

Items Discussed: Common Core Standards (Note: subsequent to our meeting the standards have been released and can be found at http://www.corestandards.org/ )**
 * The NH Dept. Of Education provided an opportunity for representatives from each district to preview and and give feedback on the Common Core Standards prior to their release to the public. Deidre Smith, Kate LaClair, Jim Brizard, Tim Stokes, and Deb Jones attended from our district, and were asked to share their thoughts with Curriculum Council:
 * Deidre Smith was unable to attend our meeting but sent the following response: //The common core standards are being developed jointly by the governors Association and the education commissioners at each state. The group did some "international benchmarking" (their term) to determine what educational standards exist around the world. What they found is that most other countries have fewer, higher, clearer standards than the US. The common core is an effort to create a common set of expectations for literacy and math that will be nationwide. At the feedback session, we were asked to read over the current draft (#3) and give feedback as to whether is was VERY CLEAR as to what was being asked of the EDUCATOR. The mantra we kept hearing was "fewer, higher, clearer." //As for reading and writing, I wasn't overly concerned about any of the standards listed. We weren't able to go through the entire two documents but my personal opinion is that Hopkinton is in a good position if and when the state adopts these new standards. There may be some spots that we'll want to look at but overall I feel we are in good shape.
 * //Kate LaClair was also unable to attend our meeting but shared these comments**:** //** //they were well organized and broken down and might help in the development of competencies for 11th and 12th grade classes; many of them did already align with what we're teaching in our classes; the list of suggested texts to calibrate difficulty of reading material// //was a little daunting considering the reading levels of some of our students; they were very American Lit and Shakespeare heavy, which was concerning considering// //our elective system in the upper grades -// //The main concern I had was the impact they might have on our elective system for 11th and 12th graders, since they seem more geared to full-year, grade level courses.// **
 * Jim Brizard commented on the difficulty of trying to peruse a vast amount of material in only two hours and then give valid feedback to the NHDOE; standards state when skills will be introduced, but confusing where it will be mastered (if you give a tenth grader an assessment and you haven't defined the grade level where it will be taught, how can you assess?).
 * Tim Stokes' initial impression was that it seemed that there would be a dramatic cut in what would have to be covered in K-5 mathematics (much more focused in building background knowledge); and then there's a massive increase in expectations in grades 6-8
 * Deb Jones said the impact on Kindergarten would be huge given that some schools have a half day program and some schools have a full day program
 * Marcia McCaffrey was able to give us some valuable insight from the State perspective. The Common Core Standards were developed to prepare students for college and careers. It will make it possible to compare "apples to apples" across states. The Race to the Top grants are tied in with this. So far Numeracy and Literacy Common Core Standards have been developed - Science is in the wind. If the state adopts the standards, 85% of the state test has to be aligned with it (a national assessment is being developed but is at least 3-4 years away). Marcia feels that New Hampshire is well positioned because we've had strong performance on the NAEP. Also NH already has rigorous standards and testing (NECAP) in comparison to other states so we're not as concerned over the content. The question is how will the assessment be used to inform learning?
 * Will there be a National Funding system also? Will this pit states against states? Inequitable funding? Clearly seems that there will be less entitlement programs with formulas based on number of students, and the funding will be more competitive
 * Will funding be based on demonstrated success or demonstrated unsuccess?
 * What about special education?

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 * Hopkinton Definition of Power Standards*** Note: The Hopkinton School District uses the term 'competency' to denote a High School graduation requirement; the term 'power standard' is used for K-8.
 * The committee agreed on the following definition of a Power Standard:
 * **A power standard/competency identifies the essential knowledge and skills (across various content areas) that students are expected to acquire.**
 * It is a prioritized standard; it is an essential component of the total curriculum.
 * If a student does not demonstrate proficiency in the power standard/competency, tiered supports are implemented.
 * Need to define the process for tiered supports - at what point do you begin intervention? How often are the common assessments given?

Next meeting: **Wednesday, April 7, 2010**

__Proposed Agenda Items for April meetin__g:
 * SOPPADA: Careers Program - Chris Sousa
 * Define the process for Unpacking the Standards
 * Summer Curriculum Timeline