The Common Core, an Uncommon Opportunity

Redesigning Classroom Instruction

"Judith March and Karen Peters in their new book on the implementation of the Common Core Standards describe what a major systemic undertaking it is to transform a district’s curriculum to reflect the Common Core standards in Math and English Language Arts, state content standards in Science and Social Studies, and the 21st Century Skills. They provide a detailed and clear pathway for teachers and principals to integrate the Common Core Standards with local and state curricula. They use extensive research based examples to guide teachers and principals and enable them to visualize how to sustain powerful transformative practices in schools. Their chapters on Continuous Assessment, Homework and Grading, and Implementation and Accountability offer teachers and principals visions of world class learning centers for all students."

"The Common Core: An Uncommon Opportunity to Redesign Classroom Instruction is a “must have” resource for teachers and leaders. The demands to shift classroom instruction in response to the Common Core are reaching a fever pitch. The pressure is on, and the stakes are high. Teachers and leaders, to meet these demands, must work together to both initiate and sustain meaningful change. This book provides the required processes in a clear, concise, practical, and usable format. Working together, and using this book as a guide, success is achievable."

“I took a Superintendency in an urban district that needed to totally transform itself.  We began with the curriculum to include the Common Core and the other new state academic standards. But we soon discovered we also needed to re-design classroom instruction and re-construct our building leadership.  We so appreciate the work of EdFOCUS - - of Drs. Peters and March and their team. Their system helped us not only re-invent ourselves but build the internal capacity we needed to maintain our momentum.   This book is a must for any district who is serious about taking advantage of the Common Core to re-invent itself.”

"Our school district benefitted from EdFOCUS' model of collective school reform, because they were able to engage entire departments and, even, entire building staffs in the process from the very beginning.  Their approach created a sense of ownership and urgency that led to our ability to quickly develop internal capacity to facilitate our improvement work.  EdFOCUS' methodology improved our teachers and administrators' understanding of curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and the role each play in our efforts to improve student performance."

"In this new book, March and Peters do a great job of providing practicing teachers and administrators a great break down of the CCSS and then share significant ways to both unpack those standards and  apply exemplary instructional and classroom practices to implement those CCSS.  I would highly recommend this book for practicing educators looking for ways to put the CCSS into real-life classroom instruction and activities.  They also go on to have a really timely and important discussion about assessments and their role in the instructional cycle with lots of important information provided for the reader.  This is a really powerful book for those looking for a discussion, complete with examples, of the issues involved in implementing the CCSS."

"With 46 of the 50 states having adopted the common core, the question that the respective districts will have is, “How do we implement them?” This is the book that can be their guide."

"This book does what it sets out to do - to provide a plan and  the resources needed to redesign 21st century classroom instruction that uses the common core standards to improve teaching practice for educators and educational outcomes students."

"As I read this book, I found that everyone (superintendent, principals, teachers, any stakeholder) should read ALL of the book."

“There are few books of this kind that offer such deep and specific information to assist the field in successful implementation of the Common Core and State learning Standards. This work provides tools for process, content, and sustainability of this important work. This book is a gift to practitioners of all levels, and those practicing in any type of school or district.”

"This book puts all of the proven strategies from top researchers in one place to help teachers prepare their students for tomorrow’s world. I really hope all stakeholders in education read this book."