Parent & Students - FAQ's

A. Calls for better alignment of standards across the United States started several decades ago, as educators recognized the increasing need for standardization of grade level content to better serve students moving around the nation. During the last four presidential administrations this topic has been prominent in the education platform of both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Most recently, the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governor’s Association spearheaded the development of a set of common core standards in math and English language arts. These standards were developed with input and feedback from representatives of parent groups, higher education, K-12 teachers, the research and business community, civil rights groups and state leaders. Public feedback was also sought during the spring of 2010, before a final version of the Common Core State Standards was released in June 2010.

 

Additional resources about the development of the Common Core Standards: www.cgcs.org/page/244, www.youtube.com/user/TheHuntinstitute, www.achievethecore.org

 

California science standards are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). A goal for developing the NGSS was to create a set of research-based, up-to-date K–12 science standards. These standards give local educators the flexibility to design classroom learning experiences that stimulate students’ interests in science and prepares them for college, careers, and citizenship. 

 

Additional resources about the NGSS standards can be found  here.

A. We have found the standards to be rigorous and more focused than the state’s previous content standards.  Since the state first adopted new standards, educators in Clovis Unified have spent significant time studying, researching and evaluating their content. Our study of the new content standards has found that they are rigorous, grounded in effective instructional practices, and designed to better prepare students to think critically and apply their knowledge in the real world of work and college.

A. The standards are not a curriculum but serve as targets for what students should know and be able to do. Curricula are the instructional plans and strategies that teachers use to help student reach those expectations. CUSD uses the standards as a basis for developing our own curricula by designing our own curriculum guides, choosing appropriate instructional strategies, developing engaging learning activities, and adjusting instruction accordingly to meet their individual needs.

Teams of Clovis Unified teachers have been working on the development of our own local curriculum and assessments to guide classroom instruction for our students for several years and their work will continue into the future.

A. No. While technology will play an increased role in learning (reflective of our society as a whole), students will continue to participate in direct instruction lessons that focus on face-to-face and small group learning. The ability to effectively utilize technology to support learning is an important part of preparing students for the real worlds of work and post-secondary education. Because California is moving to a computerized
assessment model (away from the paper and pencil standardized tests students have taken for years), students will be using computers more frequently in class. An example of how the district has previously approached the infusion of technology to create vibrant classroom curriculum is the Learning with Laptops program currently in place at our intermediate schools.

Parent involvement will also continue to be an important part of the learning process, and parents will have the same or greater access to their student’s learning as we move to implement the new state standards. Involved parents are a critical component of successful learning and we will continue to encourage and foster parental involvement in our schools and classrooms.

A. We continue to read classic literature in our classrooms. English language arts teachers alone are not responsible for teaching informational text. The standards stress that reading should occur in other subject areas as well, including Science, Social Science/History, and Economics/Government. This is nothing new. The majority of our students already meet this recommended percentage across subject matters.

A. In California, cursive writing remains a standard in both third and fourth grade.

A. The math standards are more rigorous than the 1997 California Math Standards. By completing three years of high school math, students will be better prepared, having covered some Advanced Math (Pre-Calculus) topics and more statistics.

A. Clovis Unified will continue to offer advanced math courses like AP Calculus. Math pathways have been developed that allow students to access accelerated math instruction at several levels. Students can accelerate by taking the first high school math course (Math 1) in 8th grade. Honors Math 2 and Honors Math 3 will include all the standard Advanced Math topics so students can then enroll in AP Calculus or AP Statistics after Honors Math 3.

Q. Will math topics be left out of the math 1, 2 and 3 curriculum leaving student unprepared for higher math courses?

A. The Clovis Unified teacher team developing our curriculum for these courses are experienced in the instruction of Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus and Calculus and will ensure that all necessary topics are included in Math 3 for student success in higher math classes.