Newly Released Common Core Resources and Materials Are Now Available to All Teachers

National Math and Science Initiative is providing teachers unlimited access to the PARCC open-source learning management system

DALLAS, April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), a non-profit organization launched in 2007 to transform math and science education in the United States, announced today that they will make Common Core State Standards (CCSS) resources available to all teachers with unlimited access.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130131/DC51970LOGO-b)

In 2012, the National Math and Science Initiative was selected to partner with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) to launch the Educator Leader Cadres (ELCs) initiative.  PARCC is a 22 state consortium working collectively to design and develop a common set of next-generation K-12 assessments in math and English anchored in what it takes to be college and career-ready. 

The PARCC Educator Leader Cadres (ELCs) help each state build and expand the number of educators who understand, support and feel ownership of the successful implementation of the CCSS and PARCC assessments.  NMSI has hosted face-to-face meetings and webinars for the ELCs in these states to develop expertise and guide implementation of the CCSS.  

Because many of the materials and resources produced through this partnership are applicable to any state implementing the CCSS, NMSI is now providing access to the PARCC open-source learning management system to educators across the country.  Additional materials and resources will continue to be released through the 2014-2015 school year.

"We are excited to be able to provide teachers and administrators with resources that target the Common Core State Standards.  This growing repository of tools will provide resources for successful implementation of the standards and assessments," said Sara Martinez Tucker, NMSI President and CEO. "Common Core instructional resources focus on strategies for building higher-order thinking, effective communication, and problem solving skills in the context of the discipline."

Released materials are organized under the following strands:

• PARCC Updates (e.g., Assessment and implementation)
• Curricular Tools (e.g., Model Content Frameworks, Tri-State Rubric)
• Instructional Resources (e.g., Using literary and informational texts, moving from single to multiple standards in mathematic instruction, science and social studies literacy)
• Diverse Student Populations (e.g., Strategies for English Language Learners and Gifted and Talented Students, Testing Accommodations for students with disabilities)
• Higher Education (e.g., College and Career Ready Determination, Models for pre-service teacher training)
• Leadership (e.g., Administrator resources, state updates)

To access these resources, educators will need to go to http://www.nms.org/commoncore.  They will click on "Get Free Resources" and be asked to create a profile.  Educators will then have unlimited access to these and all new open resources developed for PARCC by NMSI, ELC state team members, and PARCC staff members. Additional, free classroom-ready lessons are also available on the NMSI website.

NMSI encourages schools to share this link on their website.

About National Math and Science Initiative:  NMSI, a non-profit organization, was launched in 2007 to transform math and science education in the United States.  NMSI has gained national recognition for training K-12 teachers across the country to inspire students to succeed in math, science and English classes as well as recruiting more college students to become dedicated math and science teachers through the UTeach program.  The NMSI Teacher Training program has trained over 60,000 teachers to deliver more rigorous lessons in the classroom and was selected by PARCC as a premier partner to deliver common core teacher training. NMSI's AP program – which includes intensive training for teachers, open enrollment, additional study sessions for students and incentives for success – is increasing achievement in 462 schools in 18 states. NMSI works with the University of Texas UTeach Institute to expand the UTeach program which is now in 35 universities in 17 states.

For more information, visit www.nms.org. 

Media contact: Mary Ortiz, [email protected], 214-346-1245

*AP and Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Board.

SOURCE National Math and Science Initiative