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The EdGate Observer

CONNECTING PUBLISHERS AND

EDUCATORS TO WHAT WORKS

September 2011

In This Issue

Top Stories

Hot Topic

Burning Question

Client Solution

EdGate Services

Top Stories

Common Core Assessment Update

On August 29, 2011, The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) released draft Content Specifications with Content Mapping for the Summative Assessment of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics. For more information, visit SBAC Development Timeline.

Key dates for the review of the draft content specifications include:

August 29: Feedback due on ELA/literacy content specifications (round 1); math content specifications released (round 1);

September 19: Feedback due on math content specifications (round 1); ELA/literacy content specifications released (round 2)

September 26: Feedback due on ELA/literacy content specifications (round 2)

October 3: Final ELA/literacy content specifications released

October 10: Math content specifications released (round 2)

October 17: Feedback due on math content specifications (round 2)

October 24: Final math content specifications released

The SBAC is is a state-led consortium working to develop next-generation assessments that are aligned to the Common Core State Standards and that accurately measure student progress toward college and career readiness. SMARTER Balanced states collectively educate about 23 million public K-12 students. Presently there are 29 states: 21 of which are "governing" states fully committed to SMARTER Balanced and have a vote in policy decisions, and 8 "advisory" states that support the work of the Consortium.

As we did for the draft Common Core Standards, EdGate is currently working on adding these "draft" content specifications in the EdGate Standards Repository until the final versions are released.

As a client, if you are interested in seeing how your content will align these, please contact your project manager or sales consultant for more information.

About Us

Founded in 1997, EdGate Correlation Services (EdGate) is a leader in the field of alignment solutions for educational companies around the world.

The EdGate Standards Repository is the most comprehensive collection of national and international educational standards containing 1.8 million most recently adopted standards in all subject areas.

Through the power of our technology and the professional experience of our subject-area specialists, EdGate provides more than 150 educational publishing clients with accurate and continually updated correlations, on-demand correlation reporting capabilities, and effective website integration options.

EdGate can also provide standards licensing, customized taxonomy solutions, correlation to assessment standards, and more.

Welcome to The EdGate Observer!

Greetings everyone,

In this month's newsletter, we focus on the most recent educational news pertaining to Early Childhood Education (Hot Topic), Are school districts hesitant about curriculum purchases? (Burning Question), Verizon/Thinkfinity launches CUI (Client Solutions), Making the Grade Survey (EdGate Solutions), and following up with new additions to the EdGate Standards Repository (Standards Update).

As always, EdGate is your source for staying abreast of any new developments in education and specifically the impact of educational standards.

Regards,

Sandra Schugren, EdGate General Manager

Hot Topic

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Early Childhood Education continues to be a hot topic as studies repeatedly show the long term benefits of high quality early education, intervention and funding. The upcoming 2011 NAEYC Annual Conference and Expo being held this year in November will highlight the rewards and challenges related to educating our youngest learners. The presentation of more than 1000 engaging sessions address research, policy and practice.

We at EdGate are dedicated and committed to do our part to improve the well-being and educational practices of all young children. For more information regarding the conference or up-to-date information on early childhood educational practices and research, visit:

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): http://www.naeyc.org/conference

Excelligence Learning Corporation: http://www.earlychildhood.com

National Head Start Organization: http://www.nhsa.org

Early Childhood Research Quarterly Journal: http://www.naeyc.org/publications/ecrq

360 Education Solutions: http://www.360-edu.com/programs/introduction-to-early-childhood-education-482.htm

By:Jodi Waugh

Project Manager

Burning Question Curriculum_Linked

Are you finding that school districts are hesitating to make curriculum purchases while they await the implementation of Common Core?

Does your content align to the Common Core standards, and if so, what percentage of coverage does your content have? As always, EdGate can help answer those questions and supply you with the confirmation you need to show your clients and partners how your content aligns to the Common Core standards. EdGate has not only the National Common Core State Standards included in its repository, but also we have each state-specific version of the Common Core State Standards.

Need to show how your language arts or math content or textbook aligns to the National or state-specific Common Core standards? EdGate can correlate your content and you can create reports of the alignments using EdGate's powerful reporting tools. The image below shows an example of how lessons from a textbook align to a California Common Core State standard.

Has your content already been aligned by EdGate? Then you may only need to add the Common Core standards to your reports or bulk download. For all your Common Core or correlation needs, be sure and contact your Project Manager or Sales Consultant for more information.

Kathleen Ideguchi

By: Kathleen Ideguchi

Project Manager

Client Solution

Verizon Thinkfinity Launches CUI

So often the launching of a Client User Interface (CUI) is an exciting time for both the client and for us. We love to see the culmination of collaborative work between the teams on both sides come together to be showcased on their site.

Most recently, this is the case for Verizon Thinkfinity who launched their interface after many months of working together to provide correlations for their various content partners. Bringing together lessons, interactives, activities and resources from every subject and grade, Thinkfinity's interface had to provide a seamless transition no matter the content type or the content partner. The technology teams on both sides worked jointly to get everything up and going and we are so excited with the results.

Check out Thinkfinity's correlations page if you have a minute and join us in saying congratulations! http://www.thinkfinity.org/state-standards-search JenniferLarson

By: Jennifer Larson

Project Manager

EdGate Services

Survey: Is EdGate Making the Grade? Red Cross Donation

Now that the 2011-2012 school year has begun, EdGate is looking for your insight and feedback regarding our services. Please take a few minutes to complete a 5 question survey and we will make a contribution to the American Red Cross on respondent's behalf. If you are not an existing EdGate client, don't worry, there are questions applicable to you as well! To access the survey, go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P3H8C5N

On behalf of the Sales and Project Management teams, thank you!

Contact Information: Leslie Kolber at lkolber@edgate.com or Tracy Olstad at tolstad@edgate.com.

Tracy_Olstad Leslie_2009

The "EdGate Advantage is

YOUR Advantage"

Standards Update

Updates to The EdGate Standards Repository include:

· Australian Curriculum (ACARA) - Social Studies (2010)

· Kentucky Core Academic Standards (2010)
· Nevada Content Standards - Computer and Technology (2010)

· North Carolina 2012-2013 Essential Standards - World Languages (2011)

· Ohio 2014-2015 Standards and Model Curriculum - Social Studies (2011)

· Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills - Science (2011)
· Scotland Curriculum for Excellence - Expressive Arts (2009)

· Scotland Curriculum for Excellence - Health and Wellbeing (2009)

· Scotland Curriculum for Excellence - Literacy and English (2009)

· Scotland Curriculum for Excellence - Mathematics (2009)

· Scotland Curriculum for Excellence - Religious and Moral Education (2009)

· Scotland Curriculum for Excellence - Sciences (2009)

· Scotland Curriculum for Excellence - Social Studies (2009)

· Scotland Curriculum for Excellence - Technologies (2009)

· Taiwan Curriculum Guidelines - Language Arts (2011)

Common Core Update

The EdGate Standards Repository now includes the following state-specific Common Core Standards:

Alabama*, Arizona*, Arkansas, California*, Colorado*, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas*, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts*, Michigan, Minnesota*, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York*, North Carolina, North Dakota*, Ohio*, Oklahoma, Oregon*, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, US Virgin Islands, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. (Note: states marked with an * indicate up to 15% additions).

Status of Remaining States:

· Alaska (not formally adopted)

· Maryland (draft frameworks - not yet finalized)

· Montana (not formally adopted)

· Nebraska (not formally adopted)

· New Mexico (draft 15% additions recommended - not yet finalized)

· Pennsylvania (state is considering limited additions)

· Texas (not formally adopted)

· Vermont (state is considering additions)

· Virginia (not formally adopted)

If you have any questions regarding standards, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to assist you. You can always join us on Twitter and Facebook to receive notifications regarding state standards in the EdGate Standards Repository at:

Kristie

http://twitter.com/EdGate

http://www.facebook.com

Kristie McCarley

EdGate Standards Manager

kmccarley@edgate.com