Congratulations! You've posted some great questions in regard to the Iowa Core Curriculum. Good job! Now you get to answer those questions. Why? Simply because this is relatively new for all of us and there's a plethora of information out there on the ICC. It's quite possible that some of the answers to those questions will not only require us as educators to think outside the box, they are also going to require us to learn outside the box and ultimately to teach outside the box. We can do this! AND we can make it worth doing!- Please start your post by listing the members of your group.
- Then list all 3 of your questions, followed by your group's response.
It should not be necessary to complete this assignment outside of the school day. Collaboration is the key! Have fun with it!
GROUP:Third Grade Dept.(Michelle Hoffmann and Rosemary Sievers)
ReplyDeleteQUESTION 1: How will this be adapted or modified for sp. ed., especially lower functioning?
ANSWER 1:The students will become more integrated in the classroom curriculum with the support of special ed. teacher.
QUESTION 2: What are other schools in Iowa doing to help implement ICC?
ANSWER 2: Other schools are at the same or nearly the same spot E.C. is in the training. Implementation dates are between 2010 and 2014.
QUESTION 3: How will ICC impact my teaching?
ANSWER 3:Learning will be more student led therefore making learning more hands on.
Anton Green and Sherri Petersen
ReplyDeleteQuestion: What is the role of the school counselor?
The ICC website (http://corecurriculum.iowa.gov/) is not
specific so our best guess is that the guidance counselor is the portal to college and therefore will be key in high post-graduation expectations. Also a liaison between parents,
community members, and educators to incorporate 21st century skills.
Question: When will all of this be implemented?
The 2008 legislative session, through Senate File 2216, requires all school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to implement the Iowa Core Curriculum (July 1, 2012 for grades 9 through 12 and 2014-15 for kindergarten through
8th grade).
Question: Will ICC truly address the very young children?
According to the website there is no pre K mandate.
Angie M. and Carol H. (plagiarized unashamedly from the Iowa.gov website)
ReplyDeleteDoes the Iowa Core Curriculum require schools to adopt specific textbooks?
No. A specific textbook or program is not required for the appropriate implementation of the Iowa Core Curriculum.
Is it true that teachers will be mandated to teach specific lessons?
This is the closest I could come to "Will the ICC regulate what will be taught in each level and what each student is to master before they move on to another level?"
No. The mandated Iowa Core Curriculum identifies the essential concepts and skills sets for the content areas of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and 21st century skills. What schools and districts are required to do is graduate students who have learned these essential concepts and skill sets through full implementation of the Iowa Core Curriculum.
The Iowa Department of Education has provided and will continue to provide support to teachers. This assistance includes offering model units for the content areas addressed in the Iowa Core Curriculum. Some model units are in the final phases of being edited while teams are just beginning the process of developing others. These are intended to serve as examples for understanding rigorous instruction to match rigorous content, but are not required.
What assessments will be developed to align to the Iowa Core Curriculum? Will schools be required to use these assessments with students?
Closest Q to "Will the next step be state tests to graduate?"
Iowa Testing Program is in the process of developing end-of-course assessments that align to the essential concepts and skill sets of the Iowa Core Curriculum. Some of these are currently available in mathematics and science. End-of-course tests are optional and districts may choose to use them, as appropriate. Additionally, professional development is being developed to increase teachers’ capacity to use formative assessment related to the Core Curriculum
What is the accountability in regards to the Iowa Core Curriculum?
A Monitoring and Evaluation Work Team has been organized to address the challenges of monitoring implementation and evaluating the impact of the Iowa Core Curriculum. Once this team has completed its initial work, the DE will align the Iowa Core Curriculum expectations with the comprehensive school improvement and accreditation process, including the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan and school accreditation visits.
What are the formative assessments tied into the Iowa Core Curriculum?
Solution Part of the technical assistance developed to support districts as they work to fully implement the Iowa Core Curriculum will include professional development for teachers to understand the important role of "assessment for learning" and improve assessment practices and inform instruction, as well as increase students’ access to useful information about their educational progress. Based upon tentative timelines, technical assistance is being planned to be delivered during the 2009-2010 school year.
Merrill and Jennifer J.
ReplyDeleteOur first two questions were very similar:
How will ICC change the traditional "vocational" classes such as FCS and.. how are non-core subjects included in ICC?
We feel that the elective classes are ahead of the game because the students really want to participate in these classes and "DO" something. They already have a desire to sing or sew or cook or create something out of wood or metal. These courses will need to incorporate the same components as the core classes. They will need to keep students engaged and highly motivated and use the 21st century skills. Students seem to look forward to working with their hands in these elective courses so we need to find a way to motivate the children to work with their brains in a creative way too!
#3 How will the ICC skills be evaluated?
Since we couldn't find a cut and dry answer to this question we felt that teachers would need to conduct both formal and informal assessments in the way of observations, rubrics and anecdotal notes.
Greve, Schroeder and Bowman
ReplyDeleteHow will the implementation of this change our delivery of gifted services?
The children will be more challenged in the regular classroom. TAG students have been given opportunities to decide what they want to learn - the classroom teacher will be doing more higher order thinking skills and creative thinking with the whole class instead of students being pulled out. TAG teachers can team teach with the regular classroom teacher.
(2) It says ICC is a "tool" for Iowa educators to use. Will that be a book,binder, checklist, part ot teacher eval., easy, complicated?
In Core Standards, benchmarks and grade level indicatorsICC provides direction about essential content, authentic instruction, authentic assessment and additional emphasis on 21st skills for the sore content areas of literacy, math., science, & soc.st. ICC provides all schools with the 3 esssential characteristics of a quality instructional program 1.) a guaranteed and viable curr. 2.) data-driven processes 3) practice and methodologies that are evidence- based
3) Do we need to educate our parents more on this program soonce again the may help us in educating their children?
ICC recomends that the community must be informed about the curriculum and engaged in implementation process.
Trisha and Debb P.
ReplyDelete1. What does ICC look like in the classroom?
We saw what this looks like at our last in-service. Students are actively engaged in solving real-world problems. They use all sorts of resources, including technology to "show what they know." Students will need to be challenged to think outside the box, work collaboratively, and produce products similar to what might be expected in a real world (job) setting.
2.Is technology going to take over in education, or can we still use some of the old tried and true learning ways?
The web-site: www.corecurriculum.iow.gov had a variety of information on this topic. While it did not come right out and say whether technology would completely take over education, it is implied that technological skills are highly valued,expected, and needed in a global economy. Technology is expected to be used in new and innovative ways (for critical thinking and problem-solving.) Technology changes the way we think about and do our work. All teachers should integrate technology literacy into their classrooms. A broader base of skills will come out of using and understanding technology. These things include: creativity, innovation, systematic thinking, and understanding technology's challenges.
Trisha and Debb P.
ReplyDeleteWhat steps do we need to go through to get it implemented?
District and accredited nonpublic schools must:
1. Respond to all outcomes and targets of the implementation plan
∑ Due July 1, 2010, for grades 9-12
∑ Due July 1, 2012, for grades K-8
2. Complete an initial alignment of local content with Core Curriculum Essential Concepts and Skill Sets in Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and 21st Century Skills (Civic Literacy, Health Literacy, Financial Literacy, Technology Literacy, and Employability Skills) and steps to address any gaps
∑ Due July 1, 2012, for grades 9-12
∑ Due 2013-2014, for grades K-8
3. Complete initial analysis of alignment of content, instruction, assessment, and steps to address gaps
∑ Due July 1, 2012, for 9-12
∑ Due July 1, 2014, for K-8
4. Complete initial analysis of professional development needs in the areas of instruction and assessment and integrate into the District Professional Development Plans (following CSIP procedures)
∑ Due July 1, 2012, for 9-12
∑ Due 2013-2014, for K-8
Jennifer S., Heather R., Julie M., Laura J.
ReplyDelete1. Will we have to create new classes to cover essential concepts and skills?
This is a question that we found under the Heartland website that is similiar to this question. It gives a brief answer in regards to financial liteacy. However, we believe that the answer may cover all essential concepts and skills:
During our review of 21st Century Skills at the high school level, we've noticed that financial literacy skills are not taught in a required course. How are other schools addressing this problem? Adding a required course? Adding these skills to an already established course? Ultimately this is a district decision. As we get examples, we will start sharing them at our training sessions. We encourage you to talk with other districts during the training days, Curriculum Coordinator meetings, and any other opportunities you have.
2. Is this a trend that is here to stay or will it fade out as other theories and practices have in the past?
We weren't able to find anything that specifically addressed this question, but we feel that this may be determined by the success of ICC over time. We also felt that changes may be made over time to improve ICC as needed.
3. Will curriculum content be mandated by the state?
This is another answer that we found on the Heartland website that dealt with a similiar question:
The goal is to align the content, instruction and assessment delivered to students with the Iowa Core Curriculum. (Taken from the Department of Education’s Iowa Core Curriculum Network Team work)
Dave J and Heather H
ReplyDelete1. How will the community be involved?
The full picture according to the Iowa Dept. of Education website is one where community and schools work together to preserve and encourage academic achievement for the 21st century.
2. How does ICC affect special eduction?
The state has high expectations for special education. Determining the pace and rigor of each student will come from the classroom teacher. The state expects that the content will be challenging and meaningful for the students success in life.
3. What are the characteristics of effective instruction that ICC is looking at?
ICC focuses on enhances student engagement by emphasizing interesting, robust, and relevant learning experiences. It also takes learning to a deeper level by moving students beyond superficial knowledge to deep conceptual and procedural knowledge. It focuses on challenging and meaningful content to students that prepares them for success in life.
4. What if we don't implement ICC on time?
I think the state is taking the approach that not implementing it is not an option. The state has made it LAW that all schools implement by certain dates and are tracking progress through school improvement visits and implementation plans that must be submitted to the Department. That way all schools are in compliance with the new law.
Our group is Morgan Bailey, Darla Meisner, Rick Meisner
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Are there other states doing something similar?
The No Child Left Behind Act has made every state look at their educational system and become more aware of its strengths and weaknesses. In January and February of 2009, each state received a report on how it was doing according NCLB guidelines. The report for each state can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/cornerstones/index.html#al
This is a very interesting website in that it goes through whether each states current assessment is Fully Approved, Approval Pending, or Fully Approved with Recommendations.
The documentation then goes on to tell the Annual Measurable Goals of each state (these are the % goals that we went over with that lady at the beginning of the school year for ITED testing). It is interesting to note that each state has selected their own %’s and how long it will take to get there. The confidence interval for each state is also different. Some states %’s are in the 40’s and 50’s.
The next paragraphs go through what still must be done for each state.
After we received our report, the following newspaper article was written:
Iowa Core Curriculum: A paradigm shift in teaching, learning Friday, April 10, 2009 By Kris Todd, Daily Reporter Staff
The Hawkeye state was also the lone hold out state for putting state educational standards and benchmarks in place.
"We had a philosophy in Iowa of believing that local control was the most important thing and that we had a history of quality in Iowa. What has happened at the state level, though, is a recognition that other states are now starting to pass us by," Kathy Elliott, Spencer's assistant superintendent, said. "
The Iowa Core Curriculum started out as the Iowa Model Curriculum in 2005, according to Dr. Carl Turner, assistant superintendent at Le Mars Community Schools. At that time, he explained, Iowa was the only state without a state curriculum. Iowa did not have a required core curriculum, but rather had set standards with evaluation done with the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
The Answer to the Question
In answer to the question, “Are other states doing this?” We would have to conclude, “Yes.” It may or may not be called “Core Curriculum,” but each state is working in their own way to meet the requirements of NCLB and do a better job of teaching their students. Iowa Core is what our team of educational experts came up with to put Iowa back on top as far as excellence in education is concerned throughout the United States.
Question 2: Where will creativity and lifelong learning skills fall into this curriculum?
ReplyDeleteThe Survival Skills that have been identified are:
(1) Critical thinking and problem solving; (2) Collaboration and leadership; (3) Agility and adaptability; (4) Initiative and entrepreneurialism; (5) Effective oral and written communication; (6) Accessing and analyzing information; and (7) Curiosity and imagination.
The Answer to the Question:
Creativity will be a natural result of the Iowa Core Curriculum, if all of these survival skills that have been identified have been taught at every level, AND at a new standard of rigor. 21st century skills will teach creativity because they are in fact the result of a world becoming more creative and technologically advanced.
Lifelong learning skills also fall into this continuum. It is a by-product of a very different kind of education than most of us have not had. Again, by nature, our students will be lifelong learners because they will constantly have to implement the survival skills listed above to continue to survive in today’s society. These survival skills will not change, but the environment that are applied to most certainly will as future advances are made.
Question 3: How will we evaluate student progress and report to parents and the state (report card, checklist—will these be standard or different from district to district)?
This information is taken from http://www.gpaea.k12.ia.us/media/27041/formative%20assessment%20and%20the%20core%20curriculum.dec%2016.ppt
Written by Colleen Anderson
In this session, we will…
Show the connections between formative assessment and the instructional component of Core Curriculum
Provide the operational definition of formative assessment.
Look closer at the attributes of assessment for learning.
When assessing learners under Iowa Core Curriculum use the same 5 Attributes of Effective Formative Assessment, those are:
Learning Progressions
Learning Goals and Criteria for Success
Descriptive Feedback
Self-and Peer-assessment
Collaboration
Formative Assessment, What is It?
**Assessment for learning.
**It is a PLANNED process.
**It is used by both teachers and students
**Takes place DURING instruction.
**It provides assessment-based feedback to both teachers and students.
**It helps teachers and students make adjustments that will improve student achievement.
What Formative Assessment is not.
It is not another graded test.
Not benchmark assessments
Not end-of–course assessments
Not a matter of looking at test data and deciding what to do next time/next year
It is most effective when it is not a part of the grading system.
It is not probing and charting.
It is not random observations.
It is not just good instruction.
Answer to the Question:
Just because we are evaluating 21st Century Skills and Life-long Learning Skills, does not mean we have to change our current evaluations. The current problems that we have with the ideas of assessment will remain under the new curriculum.
Cecil, Jerry,and Renee had these questions:
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: How will we pay for training, supplies, and materials for more hands-on learning?
Answer: As of right now, there is no money set aside just for this purpose. Someone will have to get creative if we do need additional funds to support ICC.
Question 2: What are essential concepts and skill sets? How are the related to standards and benchmarks?
Answer:Civic literacy, employability skills, financial literacy,health literacy, technology literacy. All of these basically have their own set of standards and benchmarks to be followed.
Group: Christine and Glenda
ReplyDelete1--How does possible increase in content and/or rigor fit in with NCLB? How doe spec ed/resource room fit in with this?
All teachers will employ the same set of essential skills and concepts under the Iowa Core Curriculum. According to Rita Martens, Lead Consultant on the ICC since its origination in 2005, “We’re really trying to identify what students need to know and then determine the best ways to teach them that important content.” Instruction will still need to be initiated at the readiness level of the student, so accommodations for meeting the needs of those receiving special ed services should continue to be utilized. (from “21st Century Teaching: Iowa’s Educators and the Iowa Core Curriculum Lead the Way”, Elaine Watkins-Miller, ITAG News Magazine, Volume 34, Number 3, Summer/Fall, 2009, pgs 1,4 & 5.
The vision for the Iowa Core Curriculum is that each and every student would have equity in his/her opportunity to learn the rigorous and relevant Iowa Core Curriculum. Teaching for Learner Differences, one of the Characteristics of Effective Instruction, is the context for trying to address this issue from an Iowa Core Curriculum perspective. Additionally, phases 3 and 4 of the alignment process will address cognitive complexity and emphasis. Learning supports from Outcome 2 help a district assure their implementation plan provides each and every student with the opportunity to learn. www:aea11.k12.ia.us/ICC/QandA.html
2--Is this a program that appears to be something that will be around for a long time and how many states currently use this idea?
Date of origination was 2005. Iowa alone is developing this model of instructional content, delivery and assessment. According to the Iowa Department of Education, “Other state’s standards and benchmarks, along with international information, were examined by the work teams…..quickly determined that no one state system was without limitations or met all of Iowa’s needs. www.iowa.gov/educate/support/index
3—Is this a result of poor scores in Iowa? Are we falling behind other states?
According to the Heartland AEA11 QandA_ICC_09, “The ultimate goal is to increase student achievement.”
The comparison does not seem to be between states, but with the country as a whole in comparison with global performance results on international measurements.
Group Sue P and Darrel A
ReplyDelete1. When will we have staff training people other than our ICC leadership team?
a. all articles said the AEA and the Iowa Department Of Education will provide guidance and assistance, but it doesn't say how or when.
2. I something is not broken...why fix it? What is wrong with Iowa's education system? What are we fixing?
a. We are making sure all students are engaged in rigorous curriculum. I think they are trying to make sure all students receive the same information, so if they move districts they will fit in the existing curriculum. Also, all students need to be ready to go into the 21st century with skills that employers want and need. As Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills stated, the 21st century skills set "is the ticket to economic upward mobility in the new economy"(Gerwertz, 2007). Our world economy has evolved from an industrial era to an information era and is now on the way to the creativity era, while at the same time our schools are stagnant in the industrial model. The 21st century skills are key elements in supporting out youth not only in surviving but excelling in the global environment.
3. Will this tie-in with the Perkins requirements for tech prep?
a. Both Perkins and the Iowa Core Curriculum require assessments using performance standards.
b. The employability skills, financial literacy, and technology literacy are many of the same standards as with Perkins.
c. There will be more continuity with post-secondary programs and/or employment.
Luda, Jean, Laurel
ReplyDeleteQuestion: A popular question that is often posed, “Why is music NOT in the core curriculum?”
The answer:"We are in and part of the Core Curriculum.
During a meeting with Governor's Educational Advisor we stressed that the arts must appear in the language of all documentation and that the arts are essential inthe education of each child.
As a result, music and visual arts are in the process of writing the sample units along with math, literacy, science, and soon social studies.
In closing, there are several important things to remember:
1. The arts are and have been "at the table" during this important developmental stage. The arts have a voice and our membership in partnership with IAAE is contributing to the process.
2. “Local Control” - Your school will have control over how your plan is shaped in response to the essential skills of the 21st Century initiative and Iowa Core Curriculum.
It is important for you and the other arts educators in your district to be involved and informed during this
process.
Summary
According to the Iowa Department of Education, music is not recognized as a core content area.
Rather it is referred to as an effective
strategy/tool/activity that is suggested to be used in teaching the core areas and 21st century skills.
Question: What will teachers be required to do to prepare for the implementation of ICC?
Answer: “…Implementation will be consistent across the state. Consistent technical assistance, processes, tools will be utilized by every school with the support of their AEA…through professional development.
Question: How will NCLB be impacted by these measures (ICC)? Will it help schools get off the watch list or merely be an extra requirement for all to fulfill?
Answer: Iowa Dept. of Education says…
“ICC maximizes the…statewide assessment system, which was developed to comply with NCLB… All students must be assessed under NCLB in reading, math, and science. The Iowa Core Curriculum will not change the state-wide testing required under No Child Left Behind.
However, Iowa Testing Program is in the process of developing end-of-course assessments that align to the essential concepts and skill sets of the Iowa Core Curriculum. Some of these are currently available in mathematics and science. End-of-course tests are optional and districts may choose to use them, as appropriate.”
Laurel's interpretation… “ICC beefs up the Iowa Core Content Sd’s and Bk’s that are already in place. ICC is not a replacement, nor an extra. It is a practical way to improve learning. It is the “instruction manual” meant to guide teachers to better learning for kids because it has specific suggestions/strategies on how improve student achievement. If NCLB said, “just do it”, ICC says, “OK, now we’re going to give you strategies so you can ‘just do it’.”
Afterthought: If NCLB emphasized standardized testing, then ICC is a pleasant shift toward formative assessment.
"Educators thinking outside of the box." Did we as a society stop doing that, or not do it to a great enough extent, at some point in time?
ReplyDeleteNice work. I came across your blog while “blog surfing” using the Next Blog button on the blue Nav Bar located at the top of my blogger.com site. I frequently just travel around looking for other blogs which exist on the Internet, and the various, creative ways in which people express themselves. Thanks for sharing.
Kudos to you for using your blog for a positive purpose.