Hawaii Department of Education > Teaching And Learning > Student Learning > Hawaii Common Core > Common Core FAQs Answers to common questions about Hawaii's Common Core standards. What are educational standards? Why do we need educational standards? What is the Common Core State Standards(CCSS)Initiative? Who developed the Common Core State Standards? How were Common Core StateStandards determined? Whatschools,grades and subjectswillbe covered by the Common Core State Standards? What is the timeline for implementation of the Common Core State Standardsfor Hawaii? Dates Content Assessment 2012-2013 The Department reviews curricular materialsand identifies the Englishlanguage arts (ELA) and mathcore curriculum for all Department-operated public schools. HawaiiState Assessment(HSA) for English languagearts and math. 2013-2014 All grades move to Common Core. Professional development for all schools. Bridge HSA inEnglishlanguage arts and mathcovers the Common Core andHCPSIII.Schools administer end ofcourse exams in Algebra I,Algebra II, Biology, ExpositoryWriting, and U.S. History. 2014-2015 Professionaldevelopment forall schools. Smarter BalancedAssessment replaces the HSAfor English language arts andmath.Schools administer end ofcourse exams in AlgebraI,Algebra II, Biology, ExpositoryWriting, and U.S. History. 2015-2016 Professionaldevelopment forall schools. Smarter BalancedAssessment.Schools administer end ofcourse exams in Algebra I,Algebra II, Biology, ExpositoryWriting, and U.S. History. How have teachers been prepared for implementation of the Common Core State Standards? How have Principals been prepared for implementation of the Common Core State Standards? What are the advantages of using digital materials over traditional textbooks? What are the disadvantages of using digital materials over traditional textbooks and how willthey be mitigated? How much of the curriculum will be digital versus non-digital? How will students be protected? Will students be able to take home the devices? What assumptions are being used to develop a cost estimate of the digital program? Who decides which devices and curriculum materials that are ultimately selected? Will both devices and materials be standardized? What about the current inventory of technology? What are anticipated costs to roll out the new materials and devices for all schools? What is the long-term plan after the materials and devices are acquired for maintenance, upgrades and replacement of lost or damaged items? Why can’t schools pay for the new materials and devices from their Weighted Student Formula (WSF) funds? What are the obstacles to full implementation by all schools and what is being done to mitigate those obstacles? How will the DOE determine which schools and students will have access to the Common Core materials and devices? Petra Schatz Phone: 808-305-9708 Email: petra_schatz@hawaiidoe.org Go View all FAQ's More ArticlesCommon Core FAQs
Education standards are statements of what students are expected to know and be able to do at specificgrade levels.They provide clear guideposts for educators as they support students on the path tocollege—and career—readiness.
The Common CoreState Standards replace theHawaiiContent andPerformanceStandards (HCPS)IIIin English language arts and mathematics for all public schools,including charter schools. In addition, theEnglish language arts standards include literacy standards that aredesigned to be embedded in scienceand social studies standards.
Similar to teachers, principals have received training on the Common Core from the state and complexarea level. During the summer of 2012, state staffprovidedtraining on the Common Core protocols for allprincipals.This is the fifth phase in a five-phase professional development plan, which began in 2010.
The largest barrier to using digital materials is ensuring equitable access for all students. To that end, the Department is pursuing a 1:1 device strategy that will provide a device to each student. The devices will be vehicles for students to access curricular materials, for schools to streamline the administration of assessments, and for teachers to use to augment their instruction.
A core curriculum that includes interactive digital components does not mean the end of paper and pencil. All schools will retain the right to select and purchase supplemental materials to use in conjunction with the core curriculum.
Student privacy is of the utmost concern to the Department. Depending on the device selected, the Department has a range of software and hardware security options to protect students from malicious content.
There are multiple strategies for addressing this question. The Department is working with complex area superintendents and school leaders to determine the best answer for Hawaii.
The Department reviewed prior purchases, school expenditures, and other state costs to make estimates regarding the per pupil annual costs of the materials and devices.
The Department worked with the BERC Group (an evaluation, research and consulting firm) to do an initial review of the materials, using the Publishers Criteria created by the standards writers. The second and final phase of the materials review includes teachers, school leaders, and complex area and state staff as the reviewers.
All Department-operated schools will adopt the core curriculum. However, the curricular package will be selected based on quality and alignment to the standards. This may result in materials from different publishers for ELA and math or between school levels.
The Department will work with the device vendor, when selected, and with the field to develop a strategy for addressing existing technology that meets the specifications for future assessments.
Once Race to the Top funds expire, the Department will need funds in place to support implementation of ongoing professional development.
This is an outstanding decision that will be negotiated with the vendors and informed by best practices from other states and experiences from the field in Hawaii.
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Hawaii DOE | Hawaii Common Core StandardsIXL - Hawaii sixth-grade ELA standardsHawaii 6th Grade Reading Standards for LiteratureHawaii DOE | Next Generation Science Standards