Better Tests, Fewer Barriers: Advances in Accessibility through PARCC and Smarter Balanced
As the title implies, this Center for American Progress publication provides an overview of the general movement toward increased accessibility for students with disabilities (SWDs) and English Language Learners (ELLs). The authors present statistics showing a substantial increase in the numbers of...
BetterLesson
BetterLesson is an online site dedicated to providing educators with access to high-quality tools and resources that support implementation and alignment to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The site features lessons and resources from over 130 selected Master Teachers from across the country...
Applying Universal Design to the Common Core
The topic for this segment of Bam! Radio (an all-education radio network that offers programming from top education organizations and leaders) is about Universal Design. Guest Dr. Katie Novak (Title I Director, ELL Director, and Reading coordinator in Chelmsford Public Schools) discusses teacher...
States’ Flexibility Waiver Plans for Alternate Assessments Based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS)
This report compiles, analyzes, and summarizes states’ waiver applications for flexibility from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requirements regarding alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS). The report analyzed states’ ESEA waiver applications that...
Common Core State Standards and Implications for Special Populations
This policy brief explores the potential impact of the implementation of Common Core State Standards on students with disabilities, Native American students, and English language learners, and gives examples of implementation targeting these populations, followed by recommendations and questions...
State Implementation of Common Core State Standards: Timeline and Approach to Standards and Assessments
The Southern Regional Education Board is conducting a multi-year study of how 14 states are implementing the Common Core State Standards. The topic of this report (one of the six benchmarking reports on CCSS implementation progress in 14 states) is Timeline and Approach to Standards and Assessments...
Coming Together to Raise Achievement: New Assessment for the Common Core State Standards
This newly updated and final edition of Coming together to Raise Achievement provides consortia-approved summaries of the ongoing work of all the assessment consortia: comprehensive assessment (PARCC and Smarter Balanced), alternative assessment (DLM and NCSC), and English language proficiency...
Connecting Common Core to Teacher Evaluation
This article in AASA’s School Administrator magazine says that rigorous instructional demands tied to standards warrant system-wide supports at the supervisor level. The author says that to address the Common Core standards effectively, teachers and their school district supervisors must ensure...