Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/281716
March 2014 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 4 OPINON January 1, 2015. it is important to keep in mind that iowa is not a Race to the top state. we were also not granted a waiver for no child left behind. consequently, unlike the Race to the top states and nclb waiver states, we are not forced to use our current assessment, which is not yet aligned to the core, and tie it to our teacher evaluations. All of this means we are in a good place for our students. we have time to think through a system that will work best for iowa's students and we have the ability to keep our core Standards separate from the teacher evaluation nightmare other states are currently going through. if we work hard on aligning our curriculum, our projects, and the authentic assessments with the iowa content Standards so that every student in every school district across our state and across the nation will have the same opportunities and gets to learn on the same level playing field, we will have made huge inroads into what we as educators hope to do. then, we will be able to put together an assessment that actually measures what we have taught in our classrooms. won't that be a golden moment for all of us, and a real boon for the students in our classrooms? excerpts from fulghum's book: 1. Share everything.~ shouldn't all kids have the opportunity to share in the same knowledge and learning even if they started school in Georgia and moved to Iowa in 3rd grade? Shouldn't we share the same standards of learning across this nation? 2. Play fair~ Shouldn't we deliver fair and equitable content to the students of poverty, students in rural districts, urban districts and our transient students? AND it is not fair to assess on what we have not taught. 3. Don't hit people ~ bullying in whatever form it takes: physical, psychological, mental, or through intimidation should not be allowed. Anti-bullying should be taught in every school in the state as a core principle. And never forget…warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. All I ever needed to know Continued from page 3 Tools and Resources for Common Core State Standards watch a three-minute video explaining how the common core State Standards will help students achieve at high levels and help them learn what they need to know to get to graduation and beyond. three Minute Video on ccSi: http://vimeo.com/51933492 Join the Great public Schools (GpS) network. the GpS is a free tool that aids in neA's efforts to lead the profession. through the GpS network online, members will be able to communicate and address common core Standards, educational leadership, and other key educational issues. the network is open to all educators. Join the GpS network http://www.gpsnetwork.org/ the neA believes the common core State Standards have the potential to provide access to a complete and challenging education for all children. broad range cooperation in developing these voluntary standards provides educators with more manageable curriculum goals and greater opportunities to use their professional judgment in ways that promote student success. to communicate effectively about the common core State Standards, the neA compiled materials to discuss and share among different audiences. neA common core toolkit www.nea.org the teaching channel is a video showcase -- on the internet and tV -- of innovative and effective teaching practices in America's schools. watch 2010 iowa and national teacher of the Year, Sarah brown wessling and other educators on the teaching channel as they discuss the common core. teaching channel www.teachingchannel.org the parents' Guide to Student Success was developed by the parent teachers Association in response to the common core State Standards in english language arts and mathematics that more than 45 states have adopted. created by teachers, parents, education experts, and others from across the country, the standards provide clear, consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grade in order to be prepared for college and career. parent's Guide to new Assessments in iowa www.pta.org ResouRces