August 18, 2014
State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces New Toolkit to Help Educators Explain Common Core
SACRAMENTO—Educators and school districts now have a new free toolkit to help them spread the word about how the Common Core State Standards are remodeling California's education system to better prepare students for college and careers, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.
"As students and teachers head back to school they will be experiencing exciting changes in California education, including a new way of teaching and learning through the Common Core," Torlakson said. "Now educators have additional help in dispelling the mystery and concerns of families about this transition with a new communications toolkit created with the help of several major education groups in the state."
"Explaining Common Core to Californians: A Communications Toolkit" [http://frameworksinstitute.org/toolkits/californiacommoncore/index.html] is an online resource created with the help of the California Department of Education, State Board of Education, Californians Dedicated to Education, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, California State PTA®, California School Boards Association, California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers AFT/AFL-CIO, Association of California School Administrators, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and the nonprofit FrameWorks.
The resource is a collection of research, recommendations, and sample communications designed to help educators increase their own and the public's understanding of the kinds of instruction, testing, and support needed to fulfill the potential of the Common Core. For example, educators can download printable message cards that provide metaphors to help them explain Common Core, talking points to help them describe what Common Core does, frequently asked questions on challenging topics, tips on how to use social media, sample letters to parents, and a Common Core video.
Californians Dedicated to Education also will hold a series of Webinars to provide an overview of the Communications Toolkit and practical tips on how to use it with a special focus on back-to-school messaging. Click on the links below to register for the free Webinars. Advanced registration is required. For more information, contact Caitlin Lawrence-Toombs at email@example.com or 510-528-1558:
- August 27, 11:00 a.m. [https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/747319345] .
- August 28, 11:00 a.m. [https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/192408337] .
The State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics in 2010. Standards define the knowledge, concepts, and skills students should acquire at each grade level. The new standards provide a practical way to prepare students for the challenges of a constantly changing world by helping them learn step-by-step the real world skills they need for college and careers. The Common Core provides all students, no matter where they live or where they were born, a world-class education that's consistent from school to school so they will graduate ready to contribute to the state and nation. It also replaces the state's outdated ways of learning with a clear focus on the key knowledge and skills students need while providing teachers the time to teach the standards well.