February 1, 2018
During the Mathematics Item Writer Workshops in fall 2017, the department shared drafts of recently developed instructional focus documents, which were developed to target the standards where statewide data indicated students needed more support.
These documents provide teachers with examples of learning across each performance level to help an educator determine the depth of a student's conceptual understanding of the Tennessee mathematics standards. Additionally, instructional guidance is provided to clarify the types of instruction that will help a student progress along the continuum of learning. The final documents are posted on the department's website (here). Please reach out to Virginia.Mayfield@tn.gov with questions.
To support educators in the transition to the new Tennessee Academic Standards for Science in fall 2018, the department has released two new documents: the TN Science Standards Reference and the TN Science Standards Implementation Guide.
The TN Science Standards Reference is an exploration of all three dimensions of science instruction: science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. This document contains progressions of learning for each discipline, connections to the Framework for K-12 Science Education, and content support for each standard in grades K-8, biology, chemistry, and physics.
The TN Science Standards Reference adds to the initial support offered by the TN Science Standards Implementation Guide, which includes activities, readings, and questions designed to provide a deeper understanding of three-dimensional science instruction for participants in a series of professional learning sessions.
Please reach out to Brian.Caine@tn.gov with questions.
Math Instructional Focus Documents Released
During the Mathematics Item Writer Workshops in fall 2017, the department shared drafts of recently developed instructional focus documents, which were developed to target the standards where statewide data indicated students needed more support.
These documents provide teachers with examples of learning across each performance level to help an educator determine the depth of a student's conceptual understanding of the Tennessee mathematics standards. Additionally, instructional guidance is provided to clarify the types of instruction that will help a student progress along the continuum of learning. The final documents are posted on the department's website (here). Please reach out to Virginia.Mayfield@tn.gov with questions.
Science Standards Resources Available
To support educators in the transition to the new Tennessee Academic Standards for Science in fall 2018, the department has released two new documents: the TN Science Standards Reference and the TN Science Standards Implementation Guide.
The TN Science Standards Reference is an exploration of all three dimensions of science instruction: science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. This document contains progressions of learning for each discipline, connections to the Framework for K-12 Science Education, and content support for each standard in grades K-8, biology, chemistry, and physics.
The TN Science Standards Reference adds to the initial support offered by the TN Science Standards Implementation Guide, which includes activities, readings, and questions designed to provide a deeper understanding of three-dimensional science instruction for participants in a series of professional learning sessions.
Please reach out to Brian.Caine@tn.gov with questions.
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January 11, 2018
Classroom Assessment Builder (CAB) Version 1.0 Now Available
The Classroom Assessment
Builder (CAB) version 1.0 is now available for grades 3-8 and end-of-course
subjects. As a reminder, the CAB is an online tool within the Nextera platform
that allows teachers to build and customize classroom tests for students that
are aligned to state standards. Please note that the recently released
2016-17 TNReady items are available within the CAB. Additional details about
these items are available in the "In Case You Missed It" section.
We appreciate the educator feedback that we received during the community preview period of CAB in the fall, and we will be able to make many improvements over the coming weeks. Specific enhancements that are made to the CAB will be posted in the “What’s New” section of the Nextera Admin page and under "CAB Resources" on an ongoing basis.
Users can log in to access the CAB here using Nextera accounts—this process is outlined in the previously shared CAB User Guide (here). Any teacher who is currently scheduled in EIS as a teacher of record for a tested grade/subject will have access to CAB. These teachers were sent emails from tn.help@questarai.com with their login credentials on Nov. 1 if they were not previously in the Nextera system. Building test coordinators and administrators can also add teacher user accounts to the CAB system.
Several CAB training resources, including a user guide, tutorials, and a recorded webinar, can be found here.
Math Instructional Focus Documents Released
During the Mathematics Item Writer Workshops in
fall 2017, the department shared drafts of recently developed instructional
focus documents, which were developed to target the standards where statewide
data indicated students needed more support.
These documents provide teachers with examples of learning across each performance level to help an educator determine the depth of a student's conceptual understanding of the Tennessee mathematics standards. Additionally, instructional guidance is provided to clarify the types of instruction that will help a student progress along the continuum of learning. The final documents are posted on the department's website (here).
Application Open: Performance Level Descriptor Committee
The department is currently
accepting applications for the Range Performance Level Descriptor Committees
for grades 3-8 in social studies as well as for grades 3 and 4 in English
language arts. Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) are statements that
describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of a student at each
performance level of the TNReady assessment. Educators who are chosen to
participate on these committees will write Performance Level Descriptors
alongside fellow educators. Applications are available at the links below.
All committees will meet on March
5-6 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. Committee members will
receive compensation, and lodging and reimbursements (e.g., mileage, substitute
coverage) will be provided. All interested applicants should complete the
online applications above by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Applicants
will be notified of the status of their application no later than Feb.
9.
