State Education Department begins inclusive process to develop new academic standards
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 15, 2013) – The
Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is encouraging Oklahoma
educators, parents and others interested in public education to consider taking
part in the development of new academic standards for English language arts (ELA)
and mathematics. Coordinated by OSDE, the standards-creation process is
designed to be as inclusive and comprehensive as possible.
The
process comes after Gov. Mary Fallin earlier this year signed a law repealing
Common Core standards and paving the way for new ELA and math standards.
According to House Bill 3399, Oklahoma common education will utilize existing
Priority Academic Student Skills (P.A.S.S.) standards until August 2016. By
that time, schools would begin the transition to new standards.
State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi said the change presents an
opportunity for educators to ensure stronger academic standards.
“These
new academic standards will be by Oklahomans and for Oklahomans. They will
reflect Oklahoma values, principles and commitment to excellence,” Barresi said.
“That is why it is vital for the standards-creation process to include the
voices of Oklahomans from all walks of life. Educators will write the standards
in a collaborative process that encompasses critical input from parents, the
business community and anyone else invested in making sure Oklahoma schools are
second to none.”
An
online application form for the various committees and teams involved in the
process is available at ok.gov/sde/newstandards, along with other related
materials.
The draft
process
is pending approval by the State Board of Education, but the timeline
restrictions of HB 3399 require OSDE to begin the process
of soliciting applications.
A
steering committee will oversee the entire process. The executive director of
the State Board of Career and Technology, Oklahoma’s chancellor for higher
education, the state superintendent of public instruction, the secretary/executive
director of the state Department of Commerce and two members of the State Board
of Education will have seats on this panel.
The
steering committee will appoint four executive committees — one each for math
and ELA in grades Pre-K-5 and 6-12 — with a maximum of 21 members apiece. These
groups will provide input, resources and editing throughout the process and
will help facilitate public meetings and comments.
The
executive committees will provide hands-on oversight from beginning to end, ensuring
the consideration of a broad range of perspectives. Any Oklahoman can apply for
membership.
Examples
of groups that might seek representation on the executive committees are
parents, educators, organizations for students with disabilities and English
Language Learners, higher education, CareerTech, nonprofits, Native American tribes
and the business community. At least one member of the Oklahoma State Legislature
will serve on each of the four executive committees.
These
committees also will be in charge of creating a rubric to appoint applicants to
three of the other groups in the process: the Standards Creation Teams, the Draft
Review Committees and the Regional Advisory Committees.
The
Standards Creation Teams, comprised mostly of teachers, will draft all the new
standards using resources and input from the executive committees. Applications
are now being accepted.
There
will be 28 Standards Creation Teams, one for each grade, from Pre-Kindergarten
through 12th grade, in ELA and math. These teams are designed to ensure
representation of educators from all regions of the state.
Additionally,
two members of each Standards Creation Team will be selected to serve on a
Standards Development Team. This panel will start the process of designing
assessments and ensuring that academic standards progress appropriately from
grade to grade.
All
Oklahomans are eligible to apply for Draft Review Committees, which will examine
drafts of standards and related materials authored by Standards Creation Teams.
Draft Review Committee members will provide feedback for changes before the
would-be standards enter a public comment phase.
The
Draft Review Committees represent one of several entry points for community
members at large to provide input while the standards are being developed.
Throughout
the entire process, 12 Regional Advisory Committees will organize meetings to
update the public and gather community input to share with the other
committees. There will be one advisory committee in each of 12 regions
designated for this process. Each one will meet several times to guarantee that
the standards-writing process is enriched by local perspectives from all
corners of the state. These committees, open to all Oklahomans, will be
appointed by the Executive Committees from applications.
Later
in the standards-creation process, the State Board of Education will appoint an
Assessment Design Committee. This panel will review standards content, alignment
from grade to grade, and assessment design and structure. Due to the nature of
this committee, it will only be open to educators and those with expertise in
assessment design and delivery.
Once
a draft of the new standards has been approved, it will be made available for
45 days of public comment. The Executive Committees will review submitted
comments and recommend changes to the Standards Creation Teams. If a
significant amount of changes result, the Executive Committee could call for
another window of public comment.
Eventually,
a final version of the draft will be brought before the State Board of
Education for approval. Under HB 3399, the draft would require approval by the
Legislature and the governor before full implementation by local school
districts.
###
|