Common Core: Preparing Students for College and Career
Many of you will already be familiar with the Common Core Standards. For those of you who are not, Common Core is a multi-state initiative geared towards increasing the rigorousness and consistency of the content currently being taught and assessed in America’s schools. Right now, each state has its own process for developing and assessing content. The purpose of Common Core is to ensure that any student, regardless of where they live, will receive a high-quality education.
The Common Core standards development is being led by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Throughout this effort, these groups have solicited input from parents, educators, and other experts in the field of education. Their purpose is to develop a series of nationally-consistent standards based on the most effective instructional models from across the country and the around the world.
Common Core currently covers two subject areas: English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics for kindergarten through 12th grade. A brief description of the Common Core philosophy for each subject is listed below.
English Language Arts: The Common Core standards for ELA provide a “staircase” design to instruction, with a goal of increasing text complexity and reading comprehension at each successive grade level. The purpose of this approach is to ensure that students are ready for college and vocational programs by the time they graduate from high school.
The ELA standards also focus on improving students’ ability to write logic-based arguments, perform written analysis and presentation of research projects, and use communication skills to collaborate with peers in solving problems. These skills are essential in providing students with a competitive edge in the global marketplace.
Mathematics: The Common Core standards for mathematics take a bottom-up approach. These standards focus on creating a strong foundation in grades K-5 on the “language of mathematics.”
Early on, students will master basic skills like whole numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and decimals. Middle school students can then build on these basics with a hands-on approach to learning algebra and geometry. In high school, the standards emphasize college-readiness and the practical application of mathematics. By the time students graduate from high school, they should be able to use mathematics to solve problems and make decisions in everyday life and work.
Click here to read more about the Common Core Standards.
The state of Florida will transition to Common Core over the next several years. Some of you may already be implementing the Common Core literacy standards into your curriculum.
In 2013-2014, Common Core content will be fully implemented in grades K-2, and grades 3-8 will be a blend of Common Core and Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS). The 2013-2014 school year will also be the last year that NGSSS benchmarks are assessed. By 2014-2015, Common Core will be fully implemented and assessed.
Click here to see a full timeline of Common Core implementation.
What is FCAT 2.0?
Want to know more about the tests your students will be taking? This short video explains the ins and outs of FCAT, FCAT 2.0, and the new end-of-course exams. This video also answers some of the most frequently asked questions from parents. Take a look!
Teaching with Infographics
We all know that students are unique and learn best in a variety of different ways. Some students understand information through text-based content, while other students (especially those for which English is a second language) learn better when information is presented graphically. Infographics are an easy way to provide information for both types of learning formats—text and visual.
What are Infographics? Infographics (“information graphics”) are visual representations of data, information, or relationships. They can be used to express concepts as simple as a weather forecast or as complex as tracking health habits worldwide. Infographics communicate statistical data and complex interconnections or patterns in a way that is clear and can be quickly deciphered. They can include a combination of maps, diagrams, graphs, and lists.
Infographics can be a great way to teach complex concepts and relationships in the classroom. For example, this infographic comparing humans and animals quickly summarizes some of the traits originally thought to be uniquely human. Having students create their own infographics can help improve their visual literacy. When students create their own infographics, they must consume and break down statistics and other information, and then come up with a way to represent it visually. This process can help students gain a deeper understanding of the material.
For a step-by-step process on how students can create infographics in the classroom, click here.
The following video is from a TED talk filmed in July 2010 on "The Beauty of Data Visualization."
Reworking Mathematics Education in Florida
Recently, the Department of Education awarded the Learning Systems Institute at Florida State University a grant to develop a Mathematics Formative Assessment System (MFAS). The Institute’s MFAS will be designed to assist educators in helping students develop a deep, conceptual understanding of the benchmarks.
What is Formative Assessment? Formative assessments are evaluations used by educators to help them understand what students know and don’t know. Formative assessments help educators determine where students’ strengths and weaknesses lie, so students can be grouped for further instruction or remediation.
See what these innovative researchers are doing to help improve education in Florida.
Are you using CA Security Suites as your virus protection?
Recently, the Support Services Team has received calls from home users who were having difficulty accessing parts of the FCAT Explorer program. After further discussion with users, we found that certain Internet Service Providers are using CA Security Suites (also CA Technologies) for virus protection.
Please contact us toll-free at (888) 750 – 3228 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm), for our recommendations on how to resolve this issue.
Where in the World is Captain Frog?
Captain Frog (aka Ferdinand Smith) is taking a trip across the United States. He is posting photos of his trip along the way. See if you can figure out where Captain Frog is in each photo. Some of them may be challenging, but we know you can do it. Join us on Facebook to participate!
2012 FCAT Testing Schedule
The dates below reflect the statewide assessment schedule. Contact your district or school for more specific dates and times.
February 28 – March 1, 2012: FCAT Writing (Grades 4, 8, and 10)
*Subjects must be tested in the following order: Geometry, Biology 1, Algebra 1. All testing for a single subject must be completed in a district before testing for the next subject may begin. Testing for a single subject may not exceed two weeks. U.S. History may be tested at any time during the field-test window.
Seven Strategies to Increase Student Success
Teachers, we know your days are full. You are the unsung heroes of education. This is why we designed FCAT Explorer so students can work independently, without the need for teacher involvement. However, many students will make better progress if they know you are paying attention to their work. Consider enrolling your students in classes so you can track their success on standards, benchmarks, and skills, and monitor whether they’re cleaning up their Challenge Lists.
We've included the list of tips below to help you make the most out of your students' time on FCAT Explorer.
1. Help build confidence. To build their confidence and help alleviate their test anxiety, make sure your students know that time spent practicing on FCAT Explorer, whether at school or at home, is time well spent. Explain to your students that FCAT Explorer is carefully designed to give them explicit practice on the skills they’ll need to be successful on the FCAT. FCAT Explorer adheres to the same Test Item and Performance Task Specifications that are used to build official FCAT test items. In addition, the FCAT Explorer design and development team works closely with experienced teachers and the professionals who build the FCAT to ensure that these practice programs focus explicitly on the skills that students may encounter on the official test.
2. Encourage productive practice. Remind students that good study habits are important when they’re practicing in the FCAT Explorer. Remind them that randomly clicking answers just to rush through a program is not going to help them build the skills they need to succeed on the FCAT.
3. Encourage self-monitoring. Instruct students that they can monitor their own progress by regularly reviewing their Explorer’s Report in each program.
4. Set goals and challenges. Motivate your students by challenging them to accomplish weekly tasks for completing an FCAT Explorer program prior to official FCAT testing.
5. Use the message center. Use the message center to post students’ assignments and provide encouragement. Clean out old messages regularly.
6. Establish a reward system. Use your imagination to develop a creative way to reward students for good progress or superior performance in FCAT Explorer. Consider an end-of-the-year pizza party or other incentive programs.
7. Encourage the application of good study skills. Encourage students to exercise all the important study skills you’ve taught them, such as regularly stopping and making sure they understand what they’ve read so far, reading each practice question carefully before choosing an answer, re-reading passages to find supporting text before submitting an answer, and so forth.
And remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions on how to set up classes or monitor student progress, please call us toll-free at 888-750-3228, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. We would love to hear from you.
Teacher Training Available
The FCAT Explorer/FOCUS Support Services Team is available to provide training to teachers and staff across the state. Support Services Staff can train any teacher, media specialist, school administrator, or other school staff in using the FCAT Explorer and FOCUS Teacher's Desk features.
For more information, or to set up a training session, call 888-750-3228.
2011 - 2012 Fall Enrollment Process
To prepare for the upcoming school year, the Support Services Team has renewed the FCAT Explorer database. Sign-in names and passwords of all teachers have been deleted. Additionally, all student sign-in names, passwords, and performance data have been deleted.
During the fall enrollment period, the FCAT Explorer Team will work with your district office to process student and teacher sign-in names and passwords. Once the enrollment for your district is complete, your district office will distribute new sign-in names and passwords to your School Administrator. The list of Currently Enrolled Districts and School Administrators below allows you to check on the enrollment process for your school or district.
Typically, enrollment is complete within two weeks after school starts. Thank you for your patience as we prepare the database for the upcoming school year enrollments.
ATTENTION SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS: Please do not enroll students into your school manually. Your district will provide us with enrollment information for FCAT Explorer and Focus. If you add students into your school manually, you will run the risk of creating duplicate sign-in names and passwords for your students. Please check the Currently Enrolled Districts list below to see when your district is enrolled. If you do not see your school in the list, please contact us at 888-750-3228 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) and we would be happy to assist you.
Changes to Reading for FCAT 2.0
The Support Services Team recently reviewed all the reading content in the FCAT Explorer programs with an eye toward adapting the content to the new standards for FCAT 2.0. Reading teachers and coaches will now find the reading programs in 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 8th grade reflect the content foci outlined in the Test Item and Performance Task Specifications for 2009. Because these programs were based on the content foci from the 2007 standards, the reading programs were a near perfect match to the 2009 updated standards.
In light of a pending switch to the Common Core standards, a complete revision of reading content is not a prudent option at this time. Once Common Core standards have been formally adopted, a complete revision of the reading content will begin.
FCAT Explorer and Adobe Flash
Are you up to date?
Currently, most FCAT Explorer programs will run under Adobe Flash Player 6.0. However, it is a good idea to update the Flash Player program on your computer, especially if you want to take advantage of the new features planned for FCAT Explorer.
In June 2008, we launched Science Station: 5th Grade Benchmarks. Science Station and other programs launched in the new school year will run under Adobe Flash Player 7.0.
Please note: The current Flash Player version is 10.0, so if you've updated since October 2008, your Flash player will support all FCAT Explorer programs.
You can download Adobe Flash Player at no cost from the Adobe site. Click here to download Adobe Flash Player.
Best Practice Guidelines Offer Tips for Effective Use
FCAT Explorer Support Services team members have developed a set of Best Practice Guidelines to help you use FCAT Explorer practice programs as effectively as possible. The guidelines offer tips and suggestions in the following areas:
Starting a New School Year
Getting Your Students Started
Signing On
Exploring Your Teacher's Desk
Monitoring Student Progress
Getting Familiar with the Student Site
Helping Students Succeed
Exploring in the Classroom
Encouraging After-School Use
Getting Technical Assistance
To access the guidelines, click the link at the end of this article. On subsequent visits, you can click Educator Resources on the home page—you'll find the FCAT Explorer Best Practice Guidelines link under the School Resources column.
Support Services team members developed the FCAT Explorer Best Practice Guidelines based on discussions and interactions with public school teachers throughout Florida. If you have additional ideas or suggestions to offer, click CONTACT US from the FCAT Explorer home page or your FCAT Explorer Teacher's Desk. You can also give your ideas to a Support Services team member by calling 888.750.3228 toll-free.
The FCAT Explorer Best Practice Guidelines will be updated as Support Services team members collect new ideas and insights from you and other teachers, so check it out from time to time!
FCAT Explorer/Focus Newsletter Archive
From 2006 to 2011, the FCAT Explorer/FOCUS Support newsletter was delivered to all public school teachers in Florida via e-mail. The newsletter provided teachers and administrators with the latest information about these two free resources from the Department of Education. To see previous issues of the newsletter, click on one of the links below:
The FCAT Explorer is developed based on the input of educators, instructional designers, writers, and education specialists. The Florida Department of Education would like to thank these people for their contributions during the ongoing development of this Web site. To see a list of those who have helped in the development of FCAT Explorer, click
here.
