Transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and to PARCC

To support our state's transition to the CCSS and to the PARCC assessment, RIDE has made many resources available to our schools and districts.

This page contains recent updates, key information, and quality resources for educators and the public to support our state's education system in its transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the PARCC Assessment for ELA/literacy and mathematics.

 Find us on Facebook »

Rhode Islanders Support the Common Core!

Learn about why Rhode Island students, teachers, parents, and business and community leaders support the Common Core State Standards that will help our high-school graduates be as well prepared for success as their peers from around the world

RI CCSS Videos

There is a lot happening in Rhode Island around the Common Core and PARCC!
Updates on RIDE and district initiatives, new PD opportunities, new quality resources, and family-friendly communication will be posted here.
 
  • New Common Core FAQs and Parent Resources Web Site - Barrington Public Schools (March 25, 2014)
    Check out this web site with FAQs, links, CCSS resources, PARCC resources, and resources from around the nation - this site was developed by Barrington Public Schools, but if your school district also has a similar web page please let us know, we would be happy to highlight it here!
     
  • RIDE develops, posts videos on the Common Core State Standards (February 21, 2014)
    As we continue with our transition to the Common Core State Standards, which clarify and specify what we expect our students to know and be able to do at each grade level, it’s very important that parents, business leaders, elected officials, and others members of our community have a clear understanding of what the Common Core State Standards are – and are not. We are fortunate to have received a foundation grant to help advance our communications regarding the Common Core. This grant has financed the team of Common Core Ambassadors, who have led a series of informational forums on the Common Core in many communities. The grant has also enabled us to develop several informational videos on the Common Core, which we have completed and posted on our website. We encourage you to take a look at these videos and to share them as widely as possible with others on your team and in your community.
     
  • RIDE to help schedule Common Core outreach events for parents/community (October 25, 2013)
    RIDE received a grant from the GE Foundation to help parents and the community understand what the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) mean for our students and our classrooms and how the CCSS prepare our students for college and for challenging careers. As part of this grant, throughout the current school year, RIDE will be conducting outreach to help promote increased understanding of the CCSS throughout the state. We are developing materials and CCSS videos, and we are scheduling outreach events throughout the state.

    On our behalf, representatives from a firm called PCG Education have begun reaching out to you to schedule and plan informational outreach events in your community. At these events, members of Rhode Island Common Core Ambassadors team, a group of experienced Rhode Island educators, will work with local educators to plan a visit your communities and provide information as to how the CCSS will affect teachers and students in Rhode Island schools. In a conference this week in the Bristol Warren district, for example, the event involved a panel of teachers from the schools in the district along with several of the Common Core Ambassadors. The ambassadors are available to present on the CCSS at no cost to your LEA.

    We welcome you to join us in helping Rhode Island to successfully transition to the Common Core. Please support us in planning these events and in helping to spread the word about the CCSS. Common Core resources can be found at www.ride.ri.gov/Transition-CCSS.

    If you have any questions about this outreach, or to schedule an outreach event for parents and for your community, please contact RI.CommonCore@ride.ri.gov.
    An outreach handout can also be found at: www.ride.ri.gov/CCSS-Outreach
    CCSS Event Hosting - Announcement Flyer Template [DOCX]
     
  • RIDE offers additional dates for professional development on Mathematics Common Core State Standards (October 25, 2013)
    RIDE is pleased to be able to offer two additional dates for the professional development session focusing on the concept of function as developed in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). This workshop will highlight the types of experiences students should have in order to develop a deep understanding of this critical concept, as described in the CCSS content standards. The workshop will also highlight the variety of expertise required by the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Participants will examine the progression and focus of the function standards from 8th grade through Algebra 1, and the participants will see how these standards build on work in the earlier grades. The new sessions are scheduled for:
    • Tuesday, March 4, 2014 – Coventry Public Schools Administration Building, 1675 Flat River Rd.
    • Monday, March 31, 2014 – Warwick Public Schools Administration Building, 34 Warwick Lake Ave.
    Follow this link for registration: www.ride.ri.gov/Professional-Development

    For questions regarding this Mathematics CCSS professional development, please contact, Susan Pagliaro, at susan.pagliaro@ride.ri.gov, or Patricia Carnevale, at patricia.carnevale@ride.ri.gov.
Updates about CCSS implementation - resources, programs, PD - from Rhode Island and from around the country will be posted here.
  For a full list of updates on ELA/literacy initiatives in RI, please check out the announcements on RIDE's Literacy page.
For announcements about mathematics initiatives, please see the list of updates on RIDE's Mathematics page.
Recent updates from the PARCC Consortium will be posted here.
For a full list of updates, please check out the "Updates" list on RIDE's PARCC page.

  • PARCC Posts Daily Updates about Field Test (March 26, 2014)
    PARCC will be posting live field test updates on its "News and Events" page throughout the day each day - bookmark this page or follow @PARCCPlace on Twitter for real-time answers to new FAQs or other updates.
     
  • PARCC Practice Tests Now Available! (March 24, 2014)
    The Practice Test was developed so that all students – not just those involved in the field testing – can experience PARCC test items the way they will appear on the tests starting in spring 2014. There will be two major releases of the Practice Test – one in spring 2014 and one in fall 2014.
     
  • PARCC Field Test Webinars - Recordings Posted (March 21, 2014)
    RIDE has posted the recordings for the “live” webinars with RIDE staff to provide updates, review important information and resources, and answer questions about on the PARCC Field Test administration. These webinars include: Accessibility Features and Accommodations, Test Administration for Principals/Test Coordinators, and Test Administration for Teachers/Test Administrators.
     
  • New PARCC Field Test Resources (March 10, 2014)
    PARCC has released new resources on the assessment and the upcoming field test this spring.  
  • PARCC Releases More Sample Items (January 22, 2014)
    PARCC has moved the sample items originally released as PDFs on their website to the same platform that students will use on the field test. This means teachers, students, parents and others will be able to engage with the sample items using computer-based tools such as drag-and-drop, multiple select, text highlighting, and equation builder. PARCC also released online tutorials that demonstrate how students will navigate the test, how to use the computer-based tools and features that make the test more accessible for all students, including those with disabilities and English learners.
    You can find the sample items and the tutorials at: http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/
     
  • PARCC Posts Supporting Materials and Guidance Resources for the Field Test (January 10, 2014)
    PARCC has posted test coordinator manuals (paper-based and computer-based), technology guidance, and training modules at its support center:  
  • RIDE posts January 7th "PARCC Field Test Training" powerpoints online (January 8, 2014)
    RIDE has posted both powerpoint presentations from its January 7th "PARCC Field Test Training" - the technology full-day workshop and the test coordinator workshop session - on the RIDE PARCC Field Test web page at www.ride.ri.gov/PARCC-field-test.
     
  • PARCC Field Test Top 10 [PDF] (November 14, 2013)

Common Core Resources


ELA/Literacy Educators     Mathematics Educators

  • The Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
    The CCSS are available in a variety of formats on the pages below.
  • CCSSO Quick Guide to Understanding the Common Core State Standards [PDF]
    The Chief Council of State School Officers (CCSSO) has put together a quick guide to understanding the standards. This guide provides a brief synopsis of the information presented in the introductions to the ELA and Math standards into one, easy-to-read document.
  • A Guide for Rhode Island Friends of Education [PDF]
    Key points about the CCSS and the changes taking place over the next five years. Plus, how all Rhode Islanders can support a smooth transition.
  • Myths vs. Facts about the CCSS [PDF]
    Document provides the facts that counter common misconceptions of the CCSS.
  • FAQs About CCSS and Implementation in RI [PDF]
    Timeline articulates the expectations of RIDE and Local Education Agencies over the next several years with the implementation of the CCSS and the transition to the PARCC assessment.
  • CCSS & PARCC Statewide Transition Timeline [PDF]
    Timeline articulates the expectations of RIDE and Local Education Agencies over the next several years with the implementation of the CCSS and the transition to the PARCC assessment.
  • Grade Level Transition Timeline [PDF]
    Timeline illustrates a students’ perspective (standards and assessment) through the CCSS and PARCC transition period. Timeline illustrates potential student experiences with instruction and assessment while transitioning from the GLE/GSEs and NECAP to the CCSS and PARCC.
  • LEA CCSS Transition Benchmarks [PDF]
  • NEW!!  Three-Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State Standards: This three-minute video explains how the Common Core State Standards will help students achieve at high levels and help them learn what they need to know to get to graduation and beyond. (Council of the Great City Schools)
  • Power Point [PPT]
    PowerPoint provides an overview of the Common Core State Standards, brief overview of the English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics standards, and Rhode Island’s transition timeline and resources.
  • ELA CCSS Graphic [PDF]
    Graphic provides a visual representation of the components and the structure of the CCSS for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects.
  • ELA CCSS vs. GLE/GSE Overview [PDF]
    Document strives to provide a general overview of some of the major differences between the GLE/GSEs and the CCSS for Reading, Writing, Speaking/Listening, and Language. Particular attention is devoted to new features in the CCSS and major shifts in focus and/or rigor across grade spans.
  • Mathematics CCSS Graphic [PDF]
    Graphic provides a visual representation of the components and the structure of the CCSS for Mathematics highlighting the interconnected nature of the Standards for Mathematical Practice and the Content Standards.
  • Mathematics CCSS vs. GLE/GSE Overview [PDF]
    Document strives to provide a general overview of some of the major differences between the GLE/GSEs and the CCSS for Mathematics. Particular attention is devoted to new features in the CCSS and major shifts in focus and/or rigor across grade spans.
  • Cracking the Code: How to Read the CCSS
    • Power Point [PPT]
      PowerPoint illustrates how to decode (read) a Common Core State Standard including the design and organization for both ELA and Mathematics.
    • PowerPoint Narration
      Download (24 MB) and play (approximately 28 minutes) using the WebEx ARF Player.
      Trouble viewing the link? A network recording player application needs to be installed to view this application. Download the application here.
      Note: Due to file size, please allow sufficient time for downloading the file and the application.
  • David Coleman's Visit to Rhode Island
  • Hunt Institute Video Vignettes [PDF]
    Videos feature the Lead Writers of the Common Core State Standards providing insight and a deeper understanding of the standards in Mathematics, English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects.
    • ELA/Literacy Vignettes
      Document provides highlights of each vignette, length (time), and identifies the target audience.
    • Mathematics Vignettes
      Document provides highlights of each vignette, length (time), and identifies the target audience.

More About PARCC

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is a consortium of 22 states that are working together through a Race to the Top assessment grant to develop a K-12 assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English language arts/literacy and mathematics.  Rhode Island is one of 18 governing states in the PARCC and plays an important role in the assessment's development.

Rhode Island's current statewide assessment - the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) - in mathematics, reading, and writing will continue to be implemented for the 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 school years. The new statewide assessment (PARCC) will be implemented starting in the 2014-2015 school year. Please note that the Science GSEs are still in effect and that the Science NECAP will take place as scheduled. For more information on NECAP in general, please review our NECAP Assessment information.

Site Documents

Documents on this site require the use of the following programs:

DOC - Microsoft Word

PDF - Acrobat Reader

PPT - Microsoft PowerPoint

XLS - Microsoft Excel