In the spring and fall of 2013, the Center on Education Policy (CEP) convened two meetings of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss ideas for a more relevant and coordinated research agenda on the Common Core State Standards. Participants in these meetings identified several needs and made a number of thoughtful suggestions. Many…

This Special Issues Brief from the "Center on Great Teachers and Leaders" (GTL Center) introduces an approach to creating coherence among three potentially transformative instructional reforms: implementation of the Common Core State Standards for student learning, new standards-based teacher evaluation systems, and job-embedded…

This unit of study for grades K-2 focuses on counting coins and coin equivalencies up to 50 cents, making use of a literature connection. The unit provides key words; recommends subject areas and approximate length of time; poses an essential question or problem; provides a unit introduction; notes four individual lessons ((1) For Sale!; (2)…

This unit of study walks early elementary students through the basics of counting and using the smallest U.S. coin denominations (penny, nickel, and dime). The unit provides keywords; recommends subject areas and approximate length of time; poses an essential question or problem; provides a unit introduction; outlines five individual lessons ((1)…

Research confirms that readiness skills for literacy and mathematics begin at birth and are developed in combination with life experiences. This guide provides early childhood educators a set of basic guidelines or Foundation Blocks in literacy and mathematics, with indicators of success for entering kindergarten based on scientifically-based…

This hands-on coin unit is for students in grades 1-2. Students play games and work with coin manipulatives to practice coin and value recognition, finding coin combinations, and adding coins. The unit provides keywords; recommends subject areas and approximate length of time; poses an essential question or problem; provides a unit introduction;…

This activities booklet focuses on the story of Alaska's flag. The booklet is intended for teachers to use with primary-grade children. Each activity in the booklet contains background information, a summary and time estimate, Alaska state standards, a step-by-step technique for implementing the activity, assessment tips, materials and resource…

This document discusses the development and implementation of alternative performance indicators (APIs) to assess the educational progress of children with disabilities in Wisconsin toward model academic content standards. It begins by describing the alternate assessment process, the definition of APIs, and the process of developing APIs.…

In this activity, first grade students learn their addresses and their places in space. Each student pretends they are a student in Ms. Frizzle's class and are to help the class figure out how to get home. The students create their own intergalactic address book, so that on their next trip into the universe they will have a map to guide them back…

In 1999, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) was administered to students in grades 4, 5, 8, and 10 to assess student achievement of the Sunshine State Standards in reading and mathematics as mandated by the Florida legislature. This report informs administrators, legislators, and the general public about the reading and mathematics…

The Connecticut Mastery Test was designed to assess specific skill levels of students by measuring performance on various learning objectives that students can be expected to master. The grade 4 Connecticut Mastery Test, given for the first time in the fall of 1985, provides information which can be used to improve instruction and the basic skills…

This resource guide shares a practical, methodical approach to the introduction of character education into the classroom. The guide contains a set of 17 practice-proven lesson plans that focuses on one of the tasks of modern education. It gives special attention to the integration of character education with language arts and the fine arts. It…

This book provides 12 theme-based model lessons for gifted students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Introductory material addresses ways to integrate middle school curricula with established national standards and principles of differentiated curriculum. Each lesson follows a five-part outline: (1)motivation (stimulating the learner); (2) input (providing…

This document is intended to assist Nebraska business education teachers in developing assessment plans for their local school districts. The first part of the document correlates Nebraska's business education performance standards with grade 8 and grade 12 standards for the following academic subject areas: mathematics; science; social…