Common Core Rubric Creator! FREE!

Many times, educators need to use rubrics to evaluate student performances and assess different kinds of activities that may not lend themselves to more traditional forms of assessments.

Rubrics also can help students better understand what the expectations are for an assignment, and give both students and teachers clear criteria when it comes time for grades to be given. In short, rubrics can be fantastic classroom tools--but educators may be wondering how to ensure that the rubrics they create mesh with Common Core.

Check out this FREE tool to help create Common Core-friendly rubrics! It's fully customizable, and you can choose the elements to introduce into your rubric, and revise it anytime you want to update or make changes. You can also share it easily with others, which makes it great for collaborating with team teaching units.

TAKE A LOOK HERE

to see the tool for yourself--no registration needed!

Common Core: Getting a Handle on Resources, Info, Ideas, and Assessments

There is so much out there right now about Common Core State Standards--from heated debates and misinformation to fantastic new resources to help teachers prepare for the transition. But how do you know where to look for solid information and vetted resources? It can be more than a little overwhelming trying to sort through everything out there, especially if you're a busy teacher with a full schedule already.

Help is here! Check out this great Common Core roundup from Edutopia.org! Whether you're looking to get a handle on the debates about CCSS, or learn more about implementation on the ground in schools, or find out more about how the standards were developed and the research behind them, or even get a better grip on assessments and lesson plans aligned to the Common Core, this website offers tons of organized, useful, curated links. CHECK IT OUT HERE!

A Free Webinar for California Educators: the Smarter Balanced Assessment System

Assessments will play an important role as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are implemented across most of the United States. If you're an educator in California, no doubt you may be wondering about the latest news and information when it comes to assessments and the resources that Smarter Balanced offers.

This WestEd webinar from March, 2014 (sponsored by the Secondary Literacy Partnership) provides a fantastic, clear overview of the most up-to-date information regarding  the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) system. Deb Sigman and Diane Hernandez (California Dept. of Education) answer questions and review the available resources that educators will want to know about as the new assessments are implemented. Watch the webinar, or download PDFs of the PowerPoint deck to read through for yourself!

Check out the webinar HERE to get informed!

Calling All Math Teachers—Upcoming Free Webinar on April 30th on Standards of Mathematical Practice!

Curious about the role of Standards of Mathematical Practice (SMPs) in Smarter Balanced Performance Assessments? Looking for more information about mathematics classroom practices on the ground? Look no further—and register for this free, 2-hour webinar led by Cathy Carroll of WestEd’s STEM program as she walks you through an overview of SMPs. The webinar will take place live on April 20, 2014, at 4 p.m. PST. Click here to register!

Can’t make it? Don’t worry—the webinar will be archived on the WestEd website for viewing anytime!

Depth of Knowledge, Critical Thinking, and Common Core -- Free WestEd Webinar!

This webinar is full of information about integrating technology appropriately when planning tasks and assessments, and helps answer questions you might have about how "rigor" really translates.

If you've been wanting a closer look at how you as an educator can understand some of the central elements of the CCSS and what they will mean for the way you think about assessments and curriculum alike, then this webinar is for you.

Click here to check it out!

Webinar: Assessment Literacy for ELA

Are you wondering how assessments will change as Common Core State Standards (CCSS) become part of teaching and learning? Got questions about how to work with new assessments (and who doesn't)?

This webinar will provide an overview of the components of a balanced assessment system that are aligned to the CCSS for middle and high school English language arts/literacy (ELA/Literacy).

Click here to check out this FREE WestEd webinar.