Standards Newsletter, Nov. 4, 2020

Building a Culture of Mathematics Learning Module, ‘SMP 4: Model with Mathematics’ Now Available!

The next three sessions of the Building a Culture of Mathematics Learning Series, "SMP 4: Model with Mathematics," are available on the Building a Culture of Math Learning Series webpage.

Developed through a partnership between the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Leading Educators, the series supports educators in purposefully planning and designing instruction to provide students with opportunities to engage in the practice and content standards at the same time. Effective teaching of mathematics in any environment requires cultivating a culture of math learning within the classroom and these modules support educators in doing just that.

Each session is available in a customized version, including a facilitator’s guide, PowerPoint and participant handouts specifically applicable to grades K-5, 6-8 and high school. An overview video is available to help explain the materials and their structure.

Resources available for each grade band consist of the following three components:

• Week 1 - Shared Learning: Learning sessions where teachers learn new knowledge and skills aligned to the topic.
  • Objective: Analyze specific teacher planning and instructional moves around incorporating SMP 4 within the lesson and the impact on student learning
• Week 2 - Planning and Practice: Opportunities for teachers to apply the content they are learning to review/revise classroom instruction.
  • Objectives: Apply learning to instructional planning and practice; give and receive feedback from colleagues in order to revise plans and refine practices
• Week 3 - Progress Monitoring: This is an opportunity for teachers to examine student progress aligned to the topic.
  • Objectives: Analyze student work samples to determine levels of mastery and identify gaps in learning; prioritize instructional next steps to accelerate learning for all students

The first six sessions in this series are available on the Building a Culture of Math Learning Series webpage. The last sessions in the series will be released in December and the focus will be, "SMP3: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others." 

Each module will be available at KYstandards.org. The release of all materials will be communicated first through the Standards Newsletter.

Reminder: Veterans Day is Nov. 11

Per KRS 158.075, all schools shall observe Veterans Day. This law states: "On Veterans Day, or one (1) of the five (5) school days preceding Veterans Day, one (1) class or instructional period shall be devoted to the observance of Veterans Day."

To develop a Veterans Day program, Kentucky public schools are encouraged to seek advice from the Kentucky Department of Veterans' Affairs and veterans' service organizations, including, but not limited to, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. For more information, visit the Veterans Day Programs resource.

It is important to note that any program designed to observe Veterans Day must adhere to the Healthy at School guidelines. For more information, visit the Kentucky Department of Education’s COVID-19 Reopening Resources webpage.

Applications Sought for the Science Standards and Assessment Blueprint Review Committee (RC) and Advisory Panel (AP)

KRS 158.6453 calls for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to implement a process for reviewing all academic standards and aligned assessments beginning in the 2017-2018 school year. The review process for the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Science will begin during the 2020-2021 school year.

The KDE is seeking current K-12 classroom teachers and postsecondary educators to participate in this work. Applicants will be required to meet virtually and/or in Frankfort for 5-10 days beginning in the spring semester of 2021, continuing through summer, with further meetings possibly taking place in the 2021-2022 school year.

When applicable, selected team members will receive reimbursement for travel expenses and the teacher’s school district will be reimbursed for substitute teacher expenses. Potential applicants are asked to verify the willingness of their school or district to release them for work dates throughout the school year.

The online application to join advisory panel or the review committee will be posted for 30 days. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 12. Selected team members will be notified by Nov. 23.

Questions on this process can be emailed to the Standards Team.

Standards Newsletter Archive

Did you miss last week's Standards Newsletter? You can access all previous editions of the Standards Newsletter on the Standards Newsletter Archive webpage.

Standards Quick Links

KYstandards.org

Standards Resources webpage

KY Academic Standards webpage

Teaching and Learning PL Series: Eliciting Evidence of Learning

The Kentucky Department of Education will be releasing a professional learning experience each month to support educators with eliciting evidence for learning, whether in a face-to-face or remote learning environment.

Each professional learning experience will be accompanied by an informational video and made available on the Balanced Assessment Professional Learning Modules webpage by the date listed.

The Teaching and Learning PL Series: Eliciting Evidence of Learning schedule is available for download.

Sept. 16: "Comprehensive, Balanced System of Assessment" 

Learn about the components of a comprehensive, balanced assessment system and how different assessments can work together to support student learning. The module will take a closer look at the types and purposes of different assessments, appropriate uses of assessment data and build an understanding of the assessment cycle. 

Oct. 14: "Understanding Formative Assessment" 

Build a common understanding of formative assessment practice. The module will define formative assessment and take a closer look at the assessment cycle in the formative assessment process. In addition, the module will focus on taking a closer look at developing student ownership through building a culture of formative assessment practices in the classroom.

Nov. 18: "Clarifying and Sharing Learning Goals and Success Criteria" 

Learn how the standards and associated learning expectations inform high-quality assessment. The module will focus on how to elicit meaningful evidence of student learning through clarification of learning progressions, learning goals and success criteria.  

Dec. 9: "Eliciting Evidence of Learning" 

In the first section of this module, participants will learn about designing and eliciting evidence of student learning aligned to the standards. The module will take a closer look at strategies for eliciting evidence aligned to the depth of the standard and criteria for high-quality classroom assessments.  

In the second section, participants will learn about valid assessment practices. The module also will consider how to ensure assessment practices are culturally relevant and free from unintended barriers.

CONTACT

standards@education.ky.gov