Common Core vs TEKs

1. Common Core State
Standards vs Texas TEKS
Can Teachers use Technology to merge the two?

2. How to understand the Standards?
An Overview
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What is Common Core
Focused, coherent, clear and rigorous
Internationally benchmarked
Anchored in college and career readiness*
Evidence- and research-based
What is Texas TEKS
Determine the content, instructional strategies and materials
Drives Professional Training and Evaluation
Common State platform with student “portability”
Vertical alignment and horizontal articulation
Source: http://www.achieve.org/files/CCSSOverviewMarch2012FINAL.pptx

3. Why Common Core State Standards?
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We need them because
Disparate standards across the states
Global, not neighborhood competition
For many young people, high school wasn’t preparing them for college or
careers
Why the CCSS Are Important
Prepare students with knowledge and skills to succeed in college and
career
Ensure consistent expectations regardless of a student’s zip code
Provide educators, parents and students with clear, focused guideposts
Offer economies of scale and sharing of best practices

4. Why Common Core State Standards?
Preparation: The standards are college- and career-ready. They will help
prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in
education and training after high school.
Competition: The standards are internationally benchmarked. Common
standards will help ensure our students are globally competitive.
Equity: Expectations are consistent for all – and not dependent on a
student’s zip code.
Clarity: The standards are focused, coherent, and clear. Clearer standards
help students (and parents and teachers) understand what is expected of
them.
Collaboration: The standards create a foundation to work collaboratively
across states and districts, pooling resources and expertise, to create
curricular tools, professional development, common assessments and other
materials.
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5. The Common Core State Standards Initiative
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Beginning in the spring of 2009, Governors and state
commissioners of education from 48 states, 2 territories
and the District of Columbia committed to developing a
common core of state K-12 English-language arts (ELA)
and mathematics standards.
The Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI)
was a state-led effort coordinated by the National
Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief
State School Officers (CCSSO).
www.corestandards.org

6. Understanding Texas TEKS?
What’s a TEK?
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
State-mandated curriculum for public schools
Sets expectations for each grade level and subject area
TEKs: Two Levels
Foundation Curriculum: English language arts, math, science and
social studies
Enrichment Curriculum: other languages, health, P.E., career and
technology education and technology applications
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7. Instruction
Quality
Student
Performance
Curriculum Assessment
TEKS

8. What is STAAR?
New Assessment design: STAAR
“Fewer, deeper, clearer” focus
Linked to college and career readiness
Will emphasize “readiness” standards, defined as those TEKS
considered critical for success in the current grade or subject and
important for preparedness in the grade or subject that follows
Will include other TEKS that are considered supporting standards
and will be assessed though not emphasized
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9. STAAR Continued
High School expectations
Twelve end-of-course assessments in the four foundation
content areas – mathematics, science, social studies, and
English
House Bill 3 defines college readiness as the level of
preparation a student must attain in English language arts
and mathematics courses to enroll and succeed, without
remediation, in an entry-level general education course for
credit in that same content area for a baccalaureate degree
or associate degree program (Section 39.024a)
Source: 9

10. Combining both Curricula through Technology
Available web Resources
www.corestandards.org
http://www.tea.state.tx.us
http://kut.org/post/are-common-core-and-texas-teaching-standards-
really-different
http://thinkstretch.com/explore/curriculum-alignment/
http://educatefortexas.com/tag/common-core-state-standards/
Source: 10