Social Studies and Science Standards
Ohio's standards revision process continues to move forward with the posting on November 13 of the draft standards for social studies and the draft standards for science. The Ohio Department of Education has produced a video for social studies and a video for science which presents a quick overview of the process. Discussion groups are being encouraged throughout the state. ODE provides a complete Discussion Group Toolkit for use during these discussion.
English Language Arts and Mathematics Standards
While not officially released, a January 28 story published by Education Week included drafts of the English language arts standards and the mathematics standards.
On November 9, ODE, through its publication "Ides of ODE," announced to the state's educators that the revision process for English language arts and mathematics would be held up in anticipation of the release of the Common Core Standards:
Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts
Drafts of the revised Academic Content Standards for Mathematics and English language arts, scheduled for release for public comment in November, will not be posted until a later date, pending the completion of the state-led development of Common Core standards. The Common Core Initiative is being facilitated by the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Boards of Education. Currently, 51 states and territories are participating in the process.
Ohio has committed to adopting the Common Core in both mathematics and English language arts. State adoption is voluntary, but states that adopt the standards are expected to either adopt 100 percent of the Common Core or adopt the Common Core in its entirety plus up to 15 percent state-specific content. After the final documents are released, Ohio will determine what state-specific content, if any, should be added.
In Ohio, mathematics and English language arts advisory committees and working groups met from July through October to revise Ohio’s academic content standards. This state process ran parallel to the development of the Common Core standards.
Regional meetings are being planned for February to introduce the field to the Common Core standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics and solicit feedback about the need to add state-specific content.
Ohio’s revision process has informed thinking about the Common Core and influenced the national consensus on the content of the Common Core. Both the Common Core Initiative and Ohio’s revision process are based on similar criteria, including:
- Fewer, clearer and higher standards that are aligned with college and work expectations;
- Standards that have been internationally benchmarked;
- Rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order skills; and
- Evidence- and/or research-based standards built upon the strengths and lessons of the current standards.
A draft of the College- and Career-Readiness Standards has been released for public comment. The draft of the K–12 standards and learning progressions is expected in December, with final documents ready by early 2010. Documents can be accessed at www.corestandards.org.
ODE will keep you posted on the progress of the ELA and mathematics standards and how you can participate in that work in the new year.