Making the Common Core Standards Work: Using Professional Development to Build World-Class Schools

Essential reading for school leaders! With the Common Core State Standards adopted by the vast majority of U.S. states, educators face the challenge of translating the standards into successful, positive change within schools. Written for school leaders, this practical guide offers a blueprint for implementing and exceeding the new standards using very targeted professional development. Readers will find realistic strategies supported by examples from a diverse range of schools. Topics include Empowering teachers and staff as partners in planning for and implementing the new standards Adapting existing curriculum to meet goals for mathematics and language arts at each grade level Designing assessments that measure mastery of the standards Ensuring that the standards benefit learning for all students, including multicultural learners Lead your school or district in fulfilling the promise of the Common Core State Standards and preparing students for a competitive global economy. "This book looks at the implementation of CCSS within the context of all of the components that face public schools, and, in doing so, puts the CCSS in a proper perspective. This is a book that could actually help make a difference in the improvement of instruction in the public schools." —Martin J. Hudacs, Superintendent Solanco School District, Quarryville, PA "Making the Common Core Standards Work provides a detailed approach to systems thinking and how to manage a real-life paradigm shift." —William Richard Hall, Jr., Principal R. C. Longan Elementary School, Henrico, VA

Table of Contents:
Dedication Foreword by Dan Domenech Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Introduction: Why American Schools Must Move Toward Common Core State Standards Section I. Designing Competitive Curriculum for a Global Economy 1. Common Core State Standards: What Are They? Common Core State Standards: More Than Standards With an International Flavor A Quick Trip Around the World Moving Forward 2. The School Leader′s Role in Making the Common Core State Standards Work Creating Guiding Ideas to Implement the Common Core State Standards Guiding Ideas and Evidence Getting to How: Operationalizing Your Guiding Ideas Identifying the Innovation Teaching the Change The Social and Emotional Literacy Components of the Common Core State Standards School Leaders and Teachers Partner to Help Students Inspiring Trust, Creativity, Transparency, and Success: A Framework for Loose Versus Tight Leadership Part I: Building Understanding About the Issue and Its Impact on Your Organization Part II: Moving From Understanding to Action Section II. Helping Communities Create a New Future 3. Designing Local Curriculum to Absorb the Common Core State Standards in English Real-World Applications Grades K-2, Phonological Awareness (One Topic) Grades K-2: Key Ideas and Details and Craft and Structure Grades 3-4: Fluency (One Topic) Grade 5: Reading With Fluency and Accuracy Grades 6-8: Key Ideas and Details (One Topic) Grades 9-10: English Language Arts Curriculum Grades 11-12: Reading and Writing 4. Designing Local Curriculum to Absorb the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics Comparison of State and Common Core State Math Standard Emphasis Common Core State Math Standards Kindergarten Common Core State Standard and Local Curriculum Math Standards Grade 1 Common Core State Standard and Local Curriculum Math Standards Grade 2 Common Core State Standard and Local Curriculum Math Standards Grade 5 Common Core State Standard and Local Curriculum Math Standards Six Domains of Instructional Strategies for All Students Purpose of the Math Common Core Grade 7 Common Core State Math Standards: Ratios and Proportional Relationships Grades 9-10 Common Core State Math Standards: The Real Number System Grade 10 Common Core State Math Standards for Geometry: Congruence Grade 12 Common Core State Math Standards for Statistics: Using Probability to Make Decisions 5. Challenges to the Implementation of Rigorous Common Core State Standards Testing Policies Do Not Improve Schools The Common Core State Standards: Opportunities for Equity and Excellence Section III. Helping Teachers Redefine Their Profession 6. How to Assess Mastery of the Common Core Curriculum State Standards Direct Instruction The Power of Formative Assessments Formative Assessment Examples From Real Schools Building Successful Schools Special Education and General Education 7. The Leadership Challenge: Creating Common Understandings of the Common Core State Standards The Role of School Leaders Envisioning Excellence We Get the Results We Design Schools to Achieve Vision or Nightmare? Enter the Common Core State Standards 8. Dialogue: Providing Opportunity So Facts Influence Opinions Creating Context for the Common Core State Standards Teachers Need Deep Understanding of the Common Core State Standards Identifying Gaps: Current Versus Desired Reality Section IV. Creating Systems That Accelerate Learning for All 9. Multicultural Issues That Teachers and School Leaders Must Face Beyond the Common Core State Standards Common Core State Standards Lift Us Beyond Difference What All Teachers and School Leaders Need to Know About Multiculturalism Grouping and Labeling Students Building a Multicultural Learning Community 10. An Effective Intervention in Schools That Improves Instruction and Learning Creating Sustainable Change in Struggling Schools Leaders Create the Context and Design for Change to Succeed Homework Student Work and Deficit Assumptions Focus Groups School Leaders Parent Involvement Students Changing Public Mental Models About School Reform 11. Public Policy: Helpful and Harmful References Index

About the Author :
Dr. Robert J. Manley graduated from Iona College with a BA in Spanish Language Arts and minors in Philosophy and Education. He completed his MA degree in the Humanities at Hofstra University and his Professional Diploma and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Administration at St. John′s University. He taught Spanish language skills and served as an instructor in a New York State Model Humanities program at West Babylon High School. For 21 years, he served in a variety of administrative positions including Assistant Principal at Babylon Jr./Sr. High School, Principal in Plainedge School Distrct, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Superintendent of Schools in West Babylon, New York. He served as President of the Board of Directors for the Suffolk County Library System and Suffolk County Organization to Promote Education. Currently, he is Professor of Educational Administration and Leadership in the Doctoral Program at Dowling College, New York. In the last six years, he has presented peer-reviewed papers at the Sixth Annual Conference on Social Issues at Oxford University, England; the World Association for Case Research and Application in Mannheim, Germany, and Lucerne, Switzerland; and the Eastern Educational Research Association in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Clearwater, Florida. In addition, he presented workshops on School Board Governance practices at the New York State School Boards Annual Convention and at the National School Boards Conference. On January 8, 2009, he presented "Systems That Work for Students in Higher Education" as Keynote Speaker at the International Symposium for Quality in Higher Education at Shri M.D., Shah Mahila College of Arts and Commerce, Mumbai, India. In January 2011, his paper titled "Indian, Mexican, and USA Management Students Interpret Moral Leadership for a Global Economy" was awarded Best Paper for Management at the International Business and Economy Conference at Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara, Mexico. He is the coauthor with Richard Hawkins of a book on school reform titled Designing School Systems for All Students: A Toolbox to Fix America′s Schools. Dr. Richard J. Hawkins graduated from Hofstra University with his BS in Music Education. He completed his MS in Education and Professional Diploma in Education Leadership at Long Island University. Rich received his doctorate in Educational Administration at Dowling College. He began his teaching career in the William Floyd School District as an instrumental music teacher and later became District Coordinator of Music and Art. After his department was recognized as the Outstanding Music Program in the country by the Music Educators National Conference, Rich moved to the district office as the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education and Personnel. Schools under his supervision received designation as New York State (NYS) Schools of Excellence and U.S. DOE Blue Ribbon Schools. Rich served as Superintendent of the William Floyd School District for almost 12 years. He has served as President of the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association (SCSSA) and held various roles with the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS). Currently, he is Director of Contract Services for the College of St. Rose, Albany, NY. Since retiring from William Floyd, Rich served as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Advanced Certificate and EdD programs in Educational Leadership at Dowlling College. He also is an instructor in the Educational Leadership program at the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. In addition, Rich taught full time at the College of St. Elizabeth as Assistant Professor in their EdD and Master′s programs. In 2006, Rich formed Hawkins and Associates: Organizational Learning Consultants to help leaders and their organizations reach their goals and aspirations. Over the last nine years, he has peer-reviewed papers presented at the World Association for Case Research and Application in Lucerne, Switzerland, and Mannheim, Germany; the Eastern Educational Research Association in Hilton Head, South Carolina; and in the Long Island Education Review. Rich has made numerous presentations to the NYS School Boards Association, NYSCOSS, and SCSSA. He has presented at Hofstra University′s Social Emotional Literacy Conference and Dowling College′s Annual Practical Research Symposium. He was also a Keynote Presenter at the U.S. DOE Safe School/Healthier Students Conference, Tysons Corner, VA. He is the coauthor with Robert Manley of a book on school reform titled Designing School Systems for All Students: A Toolbox to Fix America′s Schools.

Review :
"Making the Common Core Standards Work provides a detailed approach to systems thinking and how to manage a real-life paradigm shift. Having that coached in the context of core standards is somewhat unique and provides an opportunity for enhanced dialogue across grade levels and disciplines in areas of the country where those discussions may not have occurred on their own." "Making the Common Core Standards Work looks at the implementation of CCSS within the context of all of the components that face public schools, and, in doing so, put the CCSS in a proper perspective. This is a book that could actually help make a difference in the improvement of instruction in the public schools." "The book is easy to read and offers concrete suggestions without establishing walls that prohibit creative practices. Making the Common Core Standards Work pushes educators to plan, reflect, and revise cooperatively to move from a traditional scripted approach of teaching to one that promotes critical thinking and analysis for all students." "As a busy superintendent who is very careful with her time, I’ve been searching for what seemed to be an impossible … one resource that is full of good, solid research and practical information on CCSS. Manley and Hawkins are practitioner scholars…and they created, in Making the Common Core Standards Work, exactly what I need to intelligently and confidently move my district forward …thanks!"