The document outlines the implementation of Common Core standards in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) as of August 2013. It provides an overview of the district's educational strategies, emphasizing the need for structured support and resources to enhance student learning and literacy achievement. Key focus areas include professional development for teachers, the alignment of curriculum to Common Core standards, and ongoing assessments to track student progress.

1. District of Columbia Public Schools | 1200 First Street, NE | Washington, DC 20002 | T 202.442.5885 | F 202.442.5026 | dcps.dc.gov
Common Core
Implementation in
DC Public Schools
August 2013

2. DCPS Overview
45,000 Students
4,000 Teachers
113 Instructional Coaches
49.5% of students proficient on the 2013 Math DC CAS
47.4% of students proficient on the 2013 Reading DC CAS
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

3. Guiding Principles for Common Core Implementation
• Fully support a few key priorities
• Thoughtful implementation
Focus
• Student experience (PS-12 and Ward-to-Ward)
• Structures, supports, and resources
Alignment
• Raise the floor without creating a ceiling
Quality / Unleashing Greatness
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

4. Embedding the CCSS in our Work:
The DCPS Teaching & Learning Framework
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

5. Common Core Rollout Across the Framework
5
Close
Reading
Modules
Unit
Overviews
Scope and
Sequence Learning
Cycles
Data
Cycles
Paced
Interims
Instructional
Coaches
District-
Wide PD
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

6. Common Core-Aligned Curriculum
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

7. DCPS’ Curriculum Strategy
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DCPS Common Core Implementation
7
Scope and Sequence Documents
Units of Study
Resources
Unit Assessments

8. Fundations
CCSS Units
and Texts
Morphology Curriculum
Guided Reading Launch Guided Reading Libraries
EBSCO
Anchor Texts
and Document
Cameras
Writing Curriculum Writing PD
Common Core ELA Resources
SY11–12 SY13–14SY12–13
Resources by Year
DCPS Common Core Implementation
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9. Curricular Materials Overview
DCPS Common Core Implementation
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Scope and Sequence
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5
Close Reading Modules

10. Connections to the Core (1/3):
Scope and Sequence
 Themes at each grade level that reflect social studies
and science content
 Many standards appear in every unit:
 Thoughtful placement of remaining standards
 Alignment of standards in grade bands
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

11. Connections to the Core (2/3):
Unit Overviews
 Combination of
informational text and
literature in each unit
 Wide range of complex
texts
 Focus on academic
language (Tier 2 words)
 Focus on evidence-based
response writing
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

12.  Based on a complex “anchor text” from unit overview
 Builds toward one culminating question - evidence based writing
 A focus on reading closely and deeply: multiple rereads for different
purposes across multiple class periods
 Text-dependent questions at multiple levels that build to key understandings
 Tier 2 target words and daily follow-up activities
 Multiple opportunities for students to actively engage in reading, writing,
speaking and listening
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DCPS Common Core Implementation
Connections to the Core (3/3):
Close Reading Modules

13. Common Core-Aligned Professional Development
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

14. The Cycle of PD Through the Instructional Window
14
Unit 1
PD Day 1
AM: Data
Cycle
PM: Literacy
Shift
Collaborative
Learning Cycle
Unit 2
PD Day 2
AM: Data
Cycle
PM: Math
Shift
Unit 3
• A “deep dive” on
topics launched
on PD day
• Led by a coach
for 6-8 teachers
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

15. Secondary ELA District-Wide PD Roadmap,
2011-2013
15
Summer PD Day #1 PD Day #2 PD Day #3 PD Day #4
2011-2012
 Text Matters:
Complex Text
and the
Common
Core
 Shared
Reading
Differentiated
Reading
Vocabulary
Development
Analyzing Text Evidence-based
Responses
2012-2013
Planning with
Complex Text
Close Reading
Modules and
Student
Evidence Based
Responses
Module-Based
Data Analysis:
Student work
as teaching &
learning tool
Gradual
Release:
Moving
towards
Independence
with Complex
Text
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

16. Instructional Coaching and PD Best Practices
 includes active learning experiences
for teachers, such as planning,
discussing, and practicing
 is job-embedded
 connects to a framework or
curriculum
Professional Development is most effective when it :
Selected research: NSDC Technical Report, 2010; Loucks-Horsley, Hewson, Love & Stiles, 1998; Porter, Garet,
Desimone, Yoon, & Birman, 2000; AERA, 2005; Ancess, 2000; Borko, 2004; Wood & Killian, 1998; Wood and
McQuarrie, 1999; Joyce & Showers, 1995; Corcoran, 1995
 is sustained over time
 includes follow-up
 is specific and intensive
 fosters collaboration
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

17. Collaborative Learning Cycles At a Glance
 Focus on the Common Core State Standards in ELA and the instructional
practices that best support them
 Address key ideas taught on PD Days
 Intensive cohort-based learning experience designed to foster
collaboration and develop teacher capacity
 Includes weekly cohort meetings, classroom support, and debriefs
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DCPS Common Core Implementation
17

18. Learning Cycles Survey:
Responses of 900+ Teachers
50.5%
33.0%
11.0%
3.6%
1.6%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
5 4 3 2 1
On a scale of 1-5, how effective was
the Learning Cycle in improving my
teaching?
44.7%
35.0%
13.8%
4.6% 4.5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
5 4 3 2 1
On a scale of 1-5, how effective was
the Learning Cycle in improving my
students' learning?
Over 80% of responders agree or strongly agree the Learning Cycle
has improved their teaching and student learning (scoring it a 4 or 5)
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

19. Common Core-Aligned Assessments
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

20. An Assessment for Each Instructional Window
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IW 1 IW 2 IW 4 IW 5IW 3PIA
1
PIA
2
PIA
5*
DC
CAS
PIA
3
DCPS Common Core Implementation
20
*Note: the final PIA is PIA
5, to align with the name of
the Instructional Window

21. SY 2012-13 Interim Assessment Results (1/2)
21
65%
86%
58%
67%
77%
80%
60%
78%
74%
88%
52%
37%
55%
70%
55%
72%
49%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
380
(#1)
430L
(#3)
590L
(#2)
690L /
620L
(#4)
420
(#1)
530L
(#3)
570L
(#3)
620L
(#2)
690L /
700L
(#4)
800L
(#2)
540
(#1)
650L
(#2)
730L /
860L
(#4)
880L
(#3)
760
(#1)
800L
(#2)
980L /
910L
(#4)
Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5
Average%Correct
Lexile (PIA #)
Literary Text Performance by Lexile Level for Students Proficient on TRC
(PIA/ANET 1–4, Stds. 1 and 2)
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

22. SY 2012-13 Interim Assessment Results (2/2)
22
69% 66% 63%
73% 70% 66%
57% 56%
50%
63%
53% 53%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
KeyIdeas&Details
Craft&Structure
Integrationof
Knowledge&Ideas
KeyIdeas&Details
Craft&Structure
Integrationof
Knowledge&Ideas
KeyIdeas&Details
Craft&Structure
Integrationof
Knowledge&Ideas
KeyIdeas&Details
Craft&Structure
Integrationof
Knowledge&Ideas
Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5
Avg.%Correct
Strand (Key Ideas: Stds 1–3, C&S: Stds 4–6, IK&I: Stds 7–9)
Performance on Literature Text by Content Strand for Students
Proficient on TRC (PIA/ANET #1–4)
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DCPS Common Core Implementation

23. What’s next for
DCPS ?
Looking Ahead
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School Year 2013–2014
DCPS Common Core Implementation
23

24. Four Focus Areas to Increase Literacy Achievement
DCPS Common Core Implementation
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21 3 4
Phonics &
Word
Morphology
Close Reading
Small Group
Literacy
Instruction
Writing
Elementary Focus Areas
Secondary
Focus Area

25. Aligned Professional Development
25
Teachers
School
Leadership
Instructional
Coaches
Close Reading
Small Group
Literacy
Instruction
Phonics & Word
Morphology
Focus Area Audience Professional Development
Leadership Academies
Cluster Meetings
District-Wide PD
Collaborative Learning Cycles
Teacher Institutes
Academic Leadership Team Meetings
Coach Training
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DCPS Common Core Implementation
Writing

26. Aligning Assessments to Focus Areas
26
Focus
Areas
Phonics & Word Morphology
Close Reading
Small Group Literacy Instruction
DIBELS
PIA
TRC
Aligned
Formative Assessment
Writing Student Work Samples
DCPS Common Core Implementation
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27. Putting it All Together: SY13–14 Calendar
DCPS Common Core Implementation
October 2013
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1 2 3 4
7 8 9 10 11
14 15 16 17 18
21 22 23 24 25
28 29 30 31
PIA 1 Window
PIA 1 Window
Teacher Institutes
Instructional
window 2 begins
Learning cycle 2
begins
PD Day 1
Columbus Day
No School
Instructional Coach Training Leadership Academy
Academic Leadership Team Trainings
(by focus area)
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