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ODE unveils preliminary work on New Academic Standards, invites input into the process
The Academic Content Standards Revision has begun. Stan Heffner, Associate Superintendent, Center for Curriculum and Assessment, is driving this work, intended to assure that Ohio’s instruction prepares students for career and college readiness. The Department’s aim is to manage a thoughtful process that invites input from diverse stakeholders.
ODE staff studied 21st Century Skills frameworks, international benchmarking, expert reviews (such as the Achieve Report), and National Learned Societies (such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), and recommendations from postsecondary institutions, in preparation of this task. They are now sharing results of their preliminary work and introducing their implementation plan.
The biggest change will be the condensing of strands, done to promote greater depth of learning. Specifically, Science Strands will go from 6 to 3 (Earth and Space, Physical and Life Science), Math Strands from 6 to 4 (Number & Operations, Geometry & Measurement, Algebra, and Data Analysis & Statistics), English Language Arts from 10 to 3 (Reading, Language and Writing), and Social Studies from 7 to 4 (History, Geography, Economics, and Government). Underneath each Strand will be Topics and Content Statements.
When completed, the online standards will be interactive, enabling teachers, parents and all interested parties to download content and drill down to more specific information. The completed matrix will illustrate vertical progressions from year to year, and will provide model curricula for grades K-8, and course frameworks, or syllabi, for grades 9-12. The framework will list instructional strategies and resources for each standard, as well as a cross-reference to the now existing standards.
The proposed timeframe for the Academic Standards Revision Process is:
June 18 Meeting with Educational Organizations (Charter Schools were represented by OAPCS)
June 30 Teacher/Curriculum Leader discussion groups
July 10 – 31 Interested Stakeholders can review overview documents and provide comments on keyword: revision
Aug – Sept Advisory/Working Groups to develop working draft
Nov – Dec Focus groups & public comment on the publicized draft
June 2010 Adoption of new State Standards in Math, Science, Social Studies, and English/Language Arts
New State Assessments based on the revised standards are anticipated to be phased in over five years. Specifics are dependent upon the outcomes of proposed legislation, as well as reauthorization requirements from No Child Left Behind, but it is expected that grade level assessments in 3-8 will continue, but will include performance-based criterion, and that the ACT and end-of-course exams will replace the current OGT.
OAPCS will be watching the process closely to assure that charter schools are afforded ample opportunity for professional development, assistance with curriculum mapping, pacing guides and lesson planning.
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