Superintendent's Message - Spring 2013
Raising the Bar in Tennessee Schools:
Expect More, Achieve More
The Expect More, Achieve More Coalition is a statewide alliance of business, community, and education organizations in Tennessee that support high academic standards in public education. Lauderdale County Schools is a member of the Coalition. The Coalition's goal is to build statewide and local engagement, support, and awareness for Tennessee's efforts to raise the bar in the classroom so that every student graduates high school prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce. The Coalition believes that when we expect more, students achieve more.
A Good Education = Better Job Prospects
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In a national survey, 97 percent of students indicated that they plan to continue their education after high school, and in Tennessee 7 out of the 10 fastest growing jobs require postsecondary education. Unfortunately, only 16 percent of Tennessee students graduate high school prepared for a successful future. In a class of 25, that's only 4 students. In today's economy, competition for jobs comes not just from across town but from around the world. We have to do better.
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However, Tennessee is improving. Our state has an innovative plan to improve student achievement. From effective teaching in the classroom to high academic standards, Tennessee is taking important steps to better prepare students for the future.
What are the Common Core State Standards?
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One part of Tennessee's work to better prepare students for college and the workforce is to raise expectations by raising academic standards, which determine the knowledge and skills that students are expected to learn in each grade and subject. Tennessee took the first step to raise standards in 2009 and now we are raising the bar again through an effort called the Common Core State Standards.
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The Common Core State Standards are a set of standards in math and English that were developed by state leaders to ensure that every student graduates high school prepared for the future. To date, 47 states, including Tennessee, have voluntarily done so.
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With the Common Core, teaching and learning will include more critical thinking and problem solving. The goal is less memorizing and more understanding.
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Students will learn important concepts in earlier grades - just as they do in the highest performing schools internationally - and build on those each year.
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Please scroll down to find a video on the basics of understanding Common Core State Standards.
Why are these New Standards Important?
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They are internationally competitive and based on research about what it takes to be prepared for postsecondary courses and/or training that leads to careers.
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The skills and knowledge students will learn are those needed for success in today's workforce. Whether in manufacturing or research, job applicants need critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills to succeed.
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Eventually, new tests will replace the current TCAP tests in math and English/language arts and measure learning under the standards. These tests will be more difficult and they may mean that scores will be lower, at least initially.
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Ultimately, the Common Core standards will help better prepare students for success after high school graduation.
What Can I Do to Help?
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Stay informed and educated - www.ExpectMoreTN.org contains resources for parents and community members, including a detailed look at what Common Core will mean for students in each grade.
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Support your child - our students are up for the challenge, but parental involvement is critical to helping a child achieve more. You may notice that school is getting harder and that students are expected to learn in new ways. Call your child's teacher or school and ask how you can help at home.
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Remember - when we expect more, students achieve more. Raising the bar and expecting more is hard work, particularly for students and teachers. New standards will mean new ways of teaching and learning in classrooms, and ultimately, harder tests. To stay the course with higher standards and expectations, parents, businesses, and communities need to be vocal about the importance of better-preparing students for the future. Tennesseans are up to this challenge.
Shawn Kimble, Superintendent
Lauderdale County Schools
*Information contained in the Superintendent's Message is taken directly from the Expect More, Achieve More campaign.
