Chiefline 5.21.13

CCSSO Releases Updated Common Core State Spotlight Document and Tools and Resource Guides
CCSSO has released updated versions of the documents Implementing the Common Core: State Spotlights and Common Core State Standards: Implementation Tools and Resources. These tools highlight state initiatives and resources produced by CCSSO and our partners to support Common Core implementation.
The third edition of Implementing the Common Core: State Spotlights guide was updated extensively to include current and innovative strategies states are using. The document focuses on the following areas:
- Communication and Engagement
- System Alignment and System Change
- Educator Supports
The Communication and Engagement section of this document was expanded to provide more extensive examples of states embracing successful communications strategies. The states highlighted have extended their engagement strategies well beyond a simple web page by developing an educator, parent and community focused website, informative videos, public awareness campaigns, and engaging in significant stakeholder outreach.
The Common Core State Standards: Implementation Tools and Resources guide includes items developed by CCSSO and other partner organizations that can assist states, districts, administrators, and educators as they implement the Common Core. Content in both documents is fluid and will be updated on a quarterly basis. If you have any resources or state initiatives to add to either of these documents, please contact Shannon Glynn at shannong@ccsso.org.
Association and Related News
CCSSO and Aspen Institute Release Paper Examining Strategies for Integrating Common Core and Teacher Effectiveness
To strengthen state implementation of Common Core State Standards and meaningful teacher evaluations, the Aspen Institute and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) today released a set of recommendations for forging coherence across these efforts at CCSSO’s Implementing the Common Core Standards (ICCS) meeting of 22 states in New Orleans. Teaching to the Core: Integrating Implementation of Common Core and Teacher Effectiveness Policies, authored by the Aspen Institute’s Ross Wiener, suggests ten actions for state leaders. more
CAEP Seeks Volunteers to Serve on Teacher Accreditation Governance Committees
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the new national accreditor for educator preparation, is seeking volunteers to serve on its governance committees. more
NCES Announces the 2014 NAEP State Ambassador Program
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has announced the establishment of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) State Ambassador program. more
Education Newsbriefs
Special Education Office Aims to Revise Monitoring Focus
The Federal Office of Special Education programs has proposed a revised reporting system that would place the focus on student performance as well as procedural compliance. more
Conservatives and the Common Core
Sol Stern, author of "Breaking Free: Public School Lessons and the Imperative of School Choice," and Joel Klein, CEO of Amplify and former chancellor of the New York City public schools, consider the Commons Core State Standards to be "one of the most promising education initiatives of the past half century" and believe all Americans should support them. more
Alaska, Hawaii, West Virginia Win NCLB Waivers
U.S. Secretary of Education has awarded Alaska, Hawaii and West Virginia NCLB waivers. In total, Secretary Duncan has now awarded waivers to 37 states. more
New Law Ramps Up Technical Education
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear signed House Bill 207 into law, uniting the state's two Career and Technical Education (CTE) systems under the guidance of Kentucky's Department of Education to ensure a more unified, relevant, and efficient system to educate and prepare students for the working world in a real-life setting. more
Common Core Supporters Firing Back
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) supporters are moving to confront opposition at the state and national levels through public relations and advertising campaigns intended to combat misinformation. All but four states have adopted the standards, and those that have adopted them are on track when it comes to implementation. more
DPI Releases Public Reports on Educator Effectiveness
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has released the summary results of teacher and administrator evaluation systems for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years, which can be accessed through the Educator Effectiveness Database by clicking here here. more
AP Classes Eyed for Inclusion in PSS Online Program
Rita Sablan, Saipan's Education Commissioner, announced plans to expand the Public School System's (PSS) advanced placement (AP) program to let participating high school students complete their courses at the time and place they wish. more
What Tests Will Replace FCAT? Florida to Decide by June
Florida Education Commissioner Tony Bennett says that by the end of June, he and his staff will decide what tests will be used to replace the FCAT exams that the state plans to retire. The switch to the new tests will be aligned to the new Common Core standards scheduled to take effect in the 2014-15 school year. more
Meet the Chiefs

Featured Resource
Featured Item
Common Core State Standards: Implementation Tools and Resources
CCSSO developed this list of tools and resources to point states to promising practices and tools to support Common Core State Standards implementation. This document primarily lists resources developed by CCSSO and the lead writers of the standards and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all resources available.
CCSSO would like to thank the following Level I Partners:

CCSSO would also like to thank the following Level II Partners:
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