Ciao Common Core – New Learning Standards in New York Schools

Ciao Common Core. The much hated and often debated standard testing in New York schools is getting a much needed change.

The Board of Regents approved the Next Generation Learning Standards that highlights play and curiosity in younger children while providing flexibility for students with different abilities and languages.

"The standards we adopted continue to be rigorous, to challenge New York’s students to do more and to prepare them for life in the 21st century," Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. "Throughout the entire process, we worked collaboratively and transparently, receiving valuable input from educators and parents, as well as experts in teaching English language learners, students with disabilities and our youngest learners. And we will continue to listen as the standards are implemented. We are committed to getting this right for our kids and evolving the standards over time."

The new standards won't go into effect right away. Teachers will undergo training for the next three years with full implentation in September 2020.

“Our implementation timetable allows for professional development and curriculum development to occur before any student takes a State assessment based on the new standards, says State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. "That’s the fair and smart thing to do for our teachers and our students.”

English Language Arts Standards Revision:
The focus will be on learning that stimulate an active, joyful engagement in young children. Play will be emphasized throughout the standards 'to remain within developmentally appropriate parameters that do not pit play against academic learning.'

Next Generation Mathematics Standards Revision:
High school courses will be listed by course (i.e., Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II) to prevent confusion and error when searching for or creating materials for the revised standards.

Hopefully they'll make the math problems more age appropriate and a little easier. Just look at this first grade math problem that's so confusing most adults have trouble with it.

Parents across the state were opting their children out of the Common Core testing for the past few years. The new standard testing begins in the Spring of 2021.

Timetable for Implementation:

2017-2018 School Year: Two-day assessments measuring the current standards; professional development on Next Generation Standards;
2018-2019 School Year: Two-day assessments measuring the current standards; professional development continues on the Next Generation Standards;
2019-2020 School Year: Two-day assessments measuring the current standards; professional development continues on the Next Generation Standards;
September 2020: Full implementation of the Next Generation Standards;
Spring 2021: New tests measuring Next Generation Standards.

The Next Generation Learning Standards are available at the State Education Department website.

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