August 29, 2012
We know that implementing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is a challenge for a lot of educators. That’s why we here at ASCD have created the new, free EduCore™ digital tool to help teachers and administrators implement the CCSS in both mathematics and literacy. Funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the EduCore tool is a repository of evidence-based strategies, videos, and supporting documents that help educators transition to the CCSS.
We’ve designed the EduCore tool for both the math and English language arts literacy standards. The math section of the EduCore tool supports CCSS implementation and features a variety of formative assessment lessons and videos ready for classroom use, including more than 20 formative assessment mathematics lessons. Developed by the Shell Centre these middle and high school Classroom Challenges include problem-solving and content-development formative assessments on subjects such as solving linear equations in two variables and applying angle theorems. Useful plans, student materials, PowerPoint slides, and other materials round out the many mathematics resources available.
As for literacy, EduCore offers three templates for argumentation, informational, and narrative teaching to support middle and high school educators who are implementing the literacy standards in all disciplines. Created by the Literacy Design Collaborative, each template offers secondary teachers fill-in-the-blank “shells” built from the Common Core standards that allow educators to insert the texts students must read, writing students must produce, and content students must address. In addition, the EduCore tool empowers content-area teachers to create their own tasks for students that support engagement and growth within the CCSS. Related resources include videos that instruct educators how to create their own templates and Microsoft Word templates teachers can use to develop their own modules.
Are you ready to get started? Through a simple registration process, educators can access additional EduCore features, such as the ability to save searches, organize tools, and annotate resources. In the coming months, ASCD will add additional mathematics formative assessment lessons and sample literacy modules to further enhance this valuable, free digital resource.
But that’s not all we’re doing for CCSS this fall. In addition to the EduCore tool, ASCD will provide even more support for nationwide CCSS implementation this fall through a series of new, free webinars that provide educators actionable strategies and tactics for integrating the standards into classroom activities. Covering a variety of topics related to the CCSS, including project-based learning, teacher effectiveness, mathematics, and English language arts education, this webinar series begins Monday, September 17, at 3:00 p.m. eastern time with a presentation by ASCD faculty member Maria Montalvo-Balbed. During her presentation, Montalvo-Balbed will discuss practical approaches for teaching English language learners within the CCSS. More information on these webinars and a complete schedule of topics and presenters are available at www.ascd.org/commoncorewebinars.
Visit the EduCore tool at http://educore.ascd.org. Additional ASCD resources that aid educators who are implementing the Common Core State Standards can be found at www.ascd.org/commoncore.
Ed Milliken is the Managing Director of Professional Development for ASCD. Founded in 1943, ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational leadership association dedicated to supporting educators as they learn, teach, and lead. To learn more about ASCD, visit www.ascd.org.
