West Virginia State University

College of Professional Studies

Department of Education
Professional Development (PD) Reflection Outline

Name:
Jonathan Scott Stalnaker
Major Content Area:
Mathematics
Underline one:
FR SOPH JR SR

PD Topic/Title:
Understanding Common Core State Standards
Book Study
PD Date:
Spring/2014

PD Units:
10 units



Please respond to the following prompts:
1. Summarize the key points you learned from this Professional Development experience.
Understanding Common Core State Standards, written by John Kendall, is a book that
explains the positive and negative aspects of having a common standard across America in
education. This book dives into the downfall of the Common Cores predecessor which is the
just the plain State Standards. This book states many facts and websites that can help schools
successfully navigate from the old standards to the new standards. Some of the contents
covered in this book are the common core standards in context, what the standards look like,
some benefits and concerns, preparing for the common core, and conclusion: looking ahead.
The mission statement of the Common Core State Standards Initiative aims to: provide
a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and
parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and
relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for
success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our
communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.
(www.corestandards.org). There are two standards that are discussed in the book: (1) language
and literacy and (2) mathematics. Language and Literacy are organized in four strands: reading,
writing, speaking and listening, and language. Here is a website that you will find more detailed
explanations in the Common Core standards supplementary notes and appendices, available at
www.corestandards.org/the-standards. Mathematic standards are organized into two sets of
standards: Mathematical Practice and Mathematical Content. To facilitate the use of the
standards, the standards Appendix A.


2. Discuss how these key points connect to your content area.
Since I will be teaching in West Virginia where the Common Core will take full swing this year, I
will be teaching to these standards. I must know these standards front and back. These
standards will correlate directly to how and what I will be teaching. NCTM (National Council of
Teachers of Mathematics) created the Common Core State Standards which means I show
higher regards to the standards.



3. Share how you might use this new information in your future classroom.
I will use the resources stated in the book to help bridge the old State Standards to the new
Common Core. I will envelope the new standards in every aspect of my classroom. These new
standards are very important to follow and abide by.




Note: Make sure you upload this document to your professional portfolio along with your
scanned PD letter and/or PD certificate.