Resources

English Language Arts (ELA)

The ELA SCASS work is framed a common set of targeted initiatives. States are leveraging their shared expertise to create a consistent, coherent approach toward implementing the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (ELA/Literacy CCSS) and improving literacy performance. Rather than implementing a wide-ranging program, the ELA/Literacy SCASS states will pursue a focused effort to improve literacy performance. By utilizing their respective strengths to fully engage multiple constituencies within their borders, they are targeting the following three key, interrelated goals to generate a breakthrough in student learning and shift instruction toward the ELA/Literacy CCSS:

1. Design and build a website with and for teachers that would include complex text set "playlists." 

   The first ELA/Literacy SCASS initiative is for the ELA/Literacy SCASS team to develop a pool of annotated texts that exemplify and help benchmark the process of evaluating text complexity for educators. Using both quantitative and qualitative aspects of text complexity and the professional judgment of teachers to match texts, tasks, and readers, we will populate the site with grade-level complex texts that teachers have actually taught to their students.

2. Pilot a series of model lessons. The second ELA/Literacy SCASS initiative envisions piloting in each state a select set of highly useful sample lessons (texts along with a complement of instructional supports) that focus on the core capacities that highlight the key related elements of text complexity, text-dependent questions, and evidence

3. Build a "consumers guide" to help states determine the worthiness of materials. The guide will be designed by the ELA/Literacy SCASS team to assist teachers and other educators in their work to ensure alignment with the standards in English language arts and literacy for history/social studies, science, and technical subjects.

Susan Pimentel specializes in standards-driven school reform and works as an education writer, analyst, and consultant, with established credentials in building consensus among diverse constituents. For the past two decades, Susan has worked around the country on standards development, standards implementation, and assessment in K-12 and adult education systems.

Susan was a lead writer of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects.  

State Members

Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Wyoming

Associate Members

MetaMetrics, NEA, Questar

• ProgramNational Conference on Student Assessment (NCSA)
• CCSSO’s State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards System Wraps up Successful Winter 2010 Meetings
• SCASSs Travel to Washington, DC to Participate in BOTA Conference
• ProgramTitle I Comprehensive Assessment (T1-CA)
• ProgramCareer Technical Assessment Collaborative (CTAC)
• ProgramEarly Childhood Education Assessment (ECEA)
• ProgramEnglish Language Development Assessment (ELDA)
• ProgramEnglish Language Learners (ELL)
• ProgramFormative Assessment for Students and Teachers (FAST)
• ProgramHealth Education Assessment Project (HEAP)