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Leading the Common Core State Standards

From Common Sense to Common Practice

By: Cheryl A. Dunkle

Foreword by Douglas B. Reeves

Cheryl Dunkle provides step-by-step guidance for overcoming the barriers to adopting the Common Core State Standards and achieving equity and excellence for all students.

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9781452203928
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2012
Page Count: 184
Publication date: May 01, 2012

Price: $39.95

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Description

Transform your school using proven core curriculum practices

Many educators agree that we already know how to foster student success, so what is keeping common sense from becoming common practice? The author provides step-by-step guidance for overcoming the barriers to adopting the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and achieving equity and excellence for all students. As an experienced teacher and principal, Cheryl Dunkle is well versed in staff members' perspectives and gives school leaders valuable tools for fostering the teacher and parent buy-in needed to put the CCSS into practice. This practical guide shows leaders how to implement the CCSS, which will ultimately result in continuous quality improvement in schools. Leading the Common Core State Standards addresses these key issues and more:

Communicating the CCSS to teachers and parents and attaining their buy-in
Transitioning schools and districts to align with the CCSS
Determining which teaching and learning practices need to change
Garnering resources and support for reforms

Many timesaving and supportive professional learning resources are provided, including guiding questions, an annotated bibliography, and a list of helpful references. These tools equip leaders to create collaborative structures and a climate of trust for sharing professional expertise and expanding the capacity of every staff member. There are no effective "quick fixes" in education. However, the steps outlined in this book will put you, your staff, and your students on a common-sense path to success.

Key features

Several timesaving and supportive professional learning elements are provided:

Each chapter's conclusion contains a list of Key Ideas and Guiding Questions for use as topics in professional learning communities.
Annotated bibliography offering current resources and references

Author(s)

Cheryl A. Dunkle

Consulting Description

Cheryl Dunkle is a Professional Development Associate with the Leadership and Learning Center located in Englewood, Colorado. She works with educators across the country in the areas of assessment, accountability, and standards implementation. She was a practicing elementary principal with Douglas County Schools from 1983-2001. Previous to that, she served as an elementary guidance counselor and a teacher of primary students for fourteen years. She retired from public education in July of 2001.

In addition to her leadership in public schools, Cheryl has taught for several colleges and universities both online and in face-to-face courses and has coordinated a cohort teacher education program in the Denver metro area. Cheryl has a wealth of experience with professional development, including work as a district trainer of trainers in the areas of early childhood education, effective teaching strategies, group facilitation, Cognitive Coaching, student discipline, and techniques for success in working with parents. She has extensive knowledge in adult development and learning theory, as well as standards-based education and data driven decision-making. Her current area of study and interest is investigating the elements of successful implementation of the Common Core State Standards.

Recognitions for her work include: National Distinguished Principal, president of the Colorado Association of Elementary School Principals and recipient of their department service award, member of the coordinating council for the Colorado Association of School Executives, and selection as planning principal for a new elementary school in Douglas County. Cheryl gained invaluable knowledge and skills about teaching, learning, and leadership through each of these challenging and rewarding professional experiences.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Douglas B. Reeves

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

1. What Matters Most

Are Outstanding Teachers Born or Made?

The Heart of Matter

This Isn’t Kansas Anymore, Toto

Mindsets

Teacher Leadership

Change Is Sometimes Messy and Uncomfortable

What Happens Next with CCSS Reform?

From Common Sense to Common Practice in Teacher Leadership

2. Leading with Roots and Wings

Consider This Scenario

Variations on the Leadership Theme

The Wings of Vision

The Roots of Coherence

From Common Sense to Common Practice in School Leadership

3. The Promises and Possibilities of Common Core State Standards

Are We Still A Nation At Risk?

Building Background Knowledge about CCSS

See the Light or Feel the Heat

Progressive and Pragmatic Solutions

A Closer Look at Common Core State Standards

From Common Sense to Common Practice with CCSS

4. A Relevant and Rigorous Common Core Curriculum

Something of Substance

Common and Core

Constructing the Conversation

How the World Works

Thought Partners

From Common Sense to Common Practice in Defining a CCSS Curriculum

5. Inviting students to Learn

The Power of Deeply Understanding Instruction

The Power of Deeply Implementing Nonfiction Writing

The Power of Deeply Utilizing Dimensions of Learning

The Power of Differentiation

From Common Sense to Common Practice in Instruction

6. Powerful Professional Learning for Adults

Adult Learning Theory

Implications for Professional Development

Options for Quality Professional Learning

From Common Sense to Common Practice in Professional Development

7. Next-Generation Assessment Systems

Lessons Old and New About Assessment Systems

Two Consortia Will Potentially Provide the Answers

Deliberate Classroom Formative Assessment: A Must

Performance Tasks to Promote Learning

From Common Sense to Common Practice in Next-Generation Assessment Systems

8. Powerful Learning Through Powerful Technology

The National Education Technology Plan

Horizon Report: 2011 K-12 Edition

Technological Implications for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Measuring What Matters

Technological Infrastructures

From Common Sense to Common Practice in Technology

9. Accountability for Excellence and Equity

Understanding Total Quality

The Story Behind the Numbers

Standards-Based Accountability

Teachers Take the Lead

System Things: Not Single Things

From Common Sense to Common Practice in Holistic Accountability

References

Suggested Reading

Index

Reviews

"One leaves this engaging book knowing and thinking more about the Common Core and one's role as a leader. Kudos to the author for doing this in a manner that leaves readers feeling like they just left a high-quality professional development experience."

Bonnie Tryon, Former Principal
School Administrators Association of New York State

"This book is one of the best I have read for moving educators beyond a cursory knowledge of the Common Core Standards. The author provides current research and years of experience to motivate and lead teachers, ensuring that they have the tools to help children succeed in the 21st century."

Jason Thompson, Assistant Principal
Schalmont Central School District, Schenectady, NY

"This book provides an excellent opportunity to engage teacher leaders in leading the way with Common Core Standards."

Freda Hicks, Assistant Principal
Grady Brown Elementary School, Hillsborough, NC

"This book is a must-read for all administrators and practicing classroom teachers who are faced with the challenge of implementing Common Core State Standards. It is a practical guide to understanding CCSS and provides support for the challenges of restructuring classrooms to produce 21st century learners ready for global citizenship."

Susan Stewart, Assistant Professor
Ashland University, Ashland, OH

Other Titles in: Standards & Accountability | Teaching Methods & Learning Styles | Learning Styles

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