Tomorrow’s Teachers, Today’s Standards: Summit on Integrating Common core into Educator Prep Programs

Illinois has adopted Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in Math and English Language Arts. These standards will be fully implemented in 2013-14 with the goals to raise expectations for all K-12 children, and to “better prepare Illinois students for success in college and the workforce in a competitive global economy. ^”1 The adoption of the CCSS will change how we develop instruction and will require educators to teach and assess students in different ways. It also raises questions:

• What does this mean for educator preparation programs, both for teachers and for school leaders?
• How do colleges of Arts and Sciences and Education work together to effectively prepare all teachers to lead instruction aligned to the CCSS?

To assist in the integration of the Common Core State Standards into Educator Preparation programs, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, State Board of Education and Community College Board presented Tomorrow’s Teachers, Today’s Standards: Summit on Integrating Common Core into Educator Prep Programs on Wednesday, June 6th. National experts provided information on what the Common Core means for educators entering the field, and participants examined how preparation programs will need to respond to these new requirements.

Institutional teams from the twelve public universities, thirty-two independent institutions and thirty-one community colleges attended. These teams were comprised of Deans of Colleges of Education and Arts and Sciences, lead faculty, department chairs, and/or program coordinators.

¹ http://www.isbe.state.il.us/common_core/default.htm

• Agenda
• Presentation - Dr. Rick Melmer, summit facilitator
• Presentation - Dr. Tim Shanahan (ELA)
• Presentation - Mary Jo Tavormina (math)
• CCSS Resource Sheet
• CCSS Integration Worksheets (to assist your institutional work)