08/25/12Students, Teachers Face New Ways to Learn, Teach
The Advertiser (08/25/2012) Hasten, MikeLouisiana students and teachers will face news ways of learning and teaching as the state implements the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in its curriculum. State Superintendent of Education John White says, "It represents a significant shift of what we are expecting of students and teachers. It's more rigorous on one hand and representative of basic skills, on the other hand." The new standards will be implemented first in English language arts/literacy and mathematics, with a full assessment of how students are performing under the new standards in the 2014-15 school year. White, however, says teachers should begin using the techniques they have learned now. The State Department of Education will incorporate at least one writing question similar to what will be on the new assessment on this year's LEAP, iLEAP, and end of course tests. Gradually, all tests will be changed and "so teachers can get used to the kinds of questions [that will be asked on the 2014-15 tests.]" White adds, "The real focus is on reasoning and analysis. We're trying to build very fundamental math skills early with kids. Too often, we teach children through math tricks and they don't really understand fractions. The standards focus on 'We don't need to teach everything under the sun.' We need to teach how fractions work." Of the teachers undergoing training for CCSS, most liked it, and the main improvement is that it will "reduce the burden on teachers to cover hundreds of skills," focusing on ones that are relevant.
