California switches to Common Core

By Alex Wycoff
Staff Writer

Starting in the 2014-15 school year, Common Core State Standards will replace the Standardized Testing and Reporting in all California schools.

California’s Board of Education first approved CCSS in 2010. This test is not nationally required, and states each have their own individual choice as to whether or not they use CCSS.

“Although the CCSS is not a national set of standards, since the majority of the country will be taking it [CCSS], it will be very helpful while comparing test scores with other states,” Executive Director of Educational Services Carolyn Seaton said.

The Academic Performance Index, the method used to rank schools based on STAR testing ,will also be used for CCSS.

“We want to keep improving,” Vice Principal Ian Drummond said. “Then again, our test scores are very good to begin with.”

The Board of Education released the new standards for the English portion of CCSS, but other subjects are still being adjusted and will not be available to the administration for viewing until later this year.

“Right now, it’s only available in a pilot form,” Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. “There are sample questions, but until we see the test in 2015, it’s hard to say exactly what will happen. However, I am looking forward to seeing how Costa students will do on the new test.”

The key difference between STAR and CCSS is that CCSS is done online rather than with pencil and paper. It also focuses exclusively on mathematics and English. The Costa administration said that the test will feature more analytic questions than before.

“Teachers often tell me that they can’t possibly teach all of their content areas standards, let alone teach them in depth,” Seaton said. “The CCSS are designed to be fewer in number and to require students to engage in higher order thinking skills.”

Although the CCSS is said to be implemented as a better way to impose the necessary skills for college and beyond, students feel that a single test will not have any real impact.

“I think disadvantages in college stem from the way students are taught to apply their knowledge, not the knowledge that they’re actually taught,” senior Brian Anschel said.

The teachers and administration are hopeful and excited about the opportunity to better Costa and compete nationally with other high schools.

“It will all depend on how it is weighted,” Dale said. “We always perform at a high level of excellence, and I think the change will definitely give us a chance to start killing it nationwide.”