Washington Alignment Analysis: English Language Arts Washington

108 Pages·2010·1.59 MB·English

Washington Alignment Analysis: English Language Arts
Washington State and Common Core State Standards

November 2010

Background

The K-12 Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics were released as final documents on June 2, 2010 by the
Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governor’s Association (NGA). Educators and stakeholders from across the state
of Washington had opportunities throughout the development process to weigh-in and provide input on the draft standards documents during
the fall of 2009 and the winter and spring of 2010. These Common Core State Standards were provisionally adopted by Superintendent Dorn on
August 2, 2010, as permitted within 2010 Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill (E2SSB) 6696.

Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6696 requires OSPI to submit a detailed report on the Common Core State Standards to the state
Legislature in January 2011. Per requirements of E2SSB 6696, the legislative report will provide a summary of how well the Common Core State
Standards align with the Washington standards, an implementation plan for the Common Core State Standards, and costs associated with the
implementation. This document and its companion Washington Alignment Analysis: Mathematics will be included as appendices within the
legislative report.

Alignment Studies
In summer 2010, once the final Common Core State Standards were issued, OSPI moved forward in conducting two types of alignment analysis
between the Common Core State Standards and the Washington standards.
Washington Alignment Analysis: English language arts Page 1
1. External Alignment Analysis: In June 2010, OSPI initiated an external alignment analysis project by contracting with Hanover Research.
Hanover Research is a membership-based full-service research organization that provides custom research for a variety of states, school
districts, institutions of higher education, and other non-profit and for-profit members across the United States and internationally.
Washington’s contract with them spanned the 2009 and 2010 years.
Hanover Research produced two reports that analyzed the degree to which Washington’s current standards align with the Common
Core State Standards. These documents are:
1. Alignment Analysis: Common Core and Washington State Mathematics Standards; and
2. Alignment Analysis: Common Core and Washington State Reading, Writing, and Communications Grade Level Expectations.

The Hanover analysis started with the Common Core State Standards and matched Washington standards to them. The front matter of
each document provides an explanation of the methodology and results of this analysis. Content staff from OSPI provided input on
clarity and navigation of the document, but intentionally did not provide judgment as to whether the Hanover analyses were accurate.
Both Hanover documents are available online at: https://www.k12.wa.us/Corestandards/CompareReview.aspx.

2. Washington Alignment Analysis: This review was conducted in August 2010 and was facilitated by OSPI which convened a group of
Washington educators who have a deep understanding of the intent of the Washington standards. All group members had previously
been selected through an application process to participate in past state-led standards and assessment leadership efforts, reviews of
instructional materials, development of teacher endorsement competencies, and/or support of our state’s most struggling schools. The
members of this committee can be found in the appendix of this document. This document and its companion Washington Alignment
Analysis: Mathematics represent the result of the August review by Washington educators. Both documents are also available online at:
https://www.k12.wa.us/Corestandards/CompareReview.aspx.

Washington Analysis Details

The workgroups convened in August 2010 conducted two separate analyses (English language arts and mathematics) that analyzed the degree
to which the Common Core State Standards align with Washington’s current standards. For English language arts, the reviewers aligned the
Common Core English language arts standards to Washington’s K-10 learning standards (Grade Level Expectations) for reading, writing, and
communication. The mathematics review aligned the Common Core mathematics standards to Washington’s mathematics learning standards
Washington Alignment Analysis: English language arts Page 2
(Performance Expectations). For purposes of this document, when the words ‘Washington standards’ are used in a general sense, they will be
referring to the grade-level expectations, including the evidence of learning, in the reading, writing, and communication standards or the
performance expectations in the mathematics standards.

The analyses in both cases began with the Washington State standard, matching as many Common Core State Standards as necessary to cover
all major parts of the Washington standard. Not all Common Core State Standards were a true match to the Washington standards. In these
cases, the most closely matched Common Core State Standard(s) were included.

The same methodology was used for both the Washington English language arts and mathematics alignments, which was based on the
methodology used by Hanover Research. The closeness of the match between the Washington standard and the Common Core State Standard
was rated on a single rating scale from 0 – 3 which incorporated the two metrics used by Hanover Research; one which assessed the nature of
the match and a second which provided a numerical rating score for the closeness of the match. The rating score was awarded without regard to
grade- level alignment. For purposes of this document, the numerical metrics used for the rating scale are defined below.

Rating Scores
Through the Washington analysis process, the reviewers considered all levels of the Washington standards, including the Evidences of Learning
statements found within the reading, writing, and communication standards in order to determine the match comparison. As with the Hanover
document, some subjectivity was needed in determining either the rating score. This report represents the best intentions and knowledge of the
committee members that conducted this review.
A rating of three (3) indicates that the Common Core State Standard(s) is a Full Match to the Washington standard. This rating would indicate
that the Common Core State Standard(s) for mathematics is a very close approximation of the Washington performance expectation for
mathematics. The Common Core State Standard(s) essentially encompass what the Washington standards expect students to know and be able
to do.

An example of a Full Match which was given a rating score of three (3) is illustrated in this example.
Washington reading standard 1.1.4 for grade three states:

Apply understanding of phonics.

Washington Alignment Analysis: English language arts Page 3
Common Core State Standard Reading: Foundational Skills (RF) RF.3.c for grade three states:

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. Decode multisyllable words.

Likewise, a Full Match was assigned to a group of Common Core State Standards that collectively were a very close approximation to a particular
Washington standard. For example, Washington reading standard 1.1.3 for Kindergarten states:

Apply understanding of oral language skills to develop reading skills.

Two categories of Common Core State Standards for reading collectively cover this Washington standard. They are the series of three standards
in each the Reading for Literature (RL) and Reading for Informational (RI) Text categories, RL 1, 2, and 3; and RI 1, 2, and 3, respectively, below:

RL.1. With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RL.2. With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.
RL.3. With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

RI.1. With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RI.2. With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
RI.3 With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.

A Full Match was also given if the Common Core State Standard content exceeded the Washington standard since it not only matched but
surpassed it.

A rating score of two (2), or Partial Match, indicated that the Common Core State Standard(s) only partially resembles the Washington standard.
This rating means that there is overlapping language and/or content between the Common Core State Standard and the Washington standard,
but the Common Core State Standard is missing one or more key aspects contained in the Washington standard. For example, the Washington
writing standard 1.2.1 for grade four states:

Produces more than one draft of multiple paragraphs.

Washington Alignment Analysis: English language arts Page 4
Common Core State Standard 5 for writing states:

With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.

The Common Core State Standard 5 for writing gives very limited information on the writing process, while the Washington writing standard
1.2.1 breaks down each step and in fourth grade requires a link to prewriting and more than one draft. Since a part of the Washington standard
was missing this was considered a Partial Match.

A rating score of one (1), or a Weak Match, indicates that major content was missing. The Common Core State Standard and the Washington
standard may be related, but only generally. For example, the Washington communication standard 2.1.1 for grade three states:

Analyzes the needs of the audience and situation to adjust language.

Common Core State Standard 6 for Speaking and Listening states:

Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.

The Common Core state Standard is somewhat addressed in 2.1.1 however it does not consider the audience or the language register.
As a result, this match was considered a Weak Match.

Lastly, a rating score of zero (0), or No Match, indicates that the Common Core State Standards are not meaningfully articulated in the
Washington standards. No match in the Common Core State Standards was found for the Washington reading standard 2.1.4 for grade three:

Apply comprehension monitoring strategies before, during, and after reading: use prior knowledge/schema.

Washington Alignment Analysis: English language arts Page 5
Statistical Results
The three tables below provide a “snapshot” of the degree of alignment in percentage terms for how the Common Core State Standards align
with each set of Washington’s standards: reading, writing, and communication. Since Washington’s standards in these areas cover only grades
Kindergarten through ten, only Common Core Standards for those grades were considered in the analysis. The tables are organized by subject
area and grade level as this is the construct of Washington’s standards.

Table 1: Grade Level Statistical Summary – Reading

Alignment of Washington State Reading Standards to the Common Core English Language Arts Standards
Grade Level Total # of CCSS Full CCSS Partial CCSS Weak CCSS No Total Partial Total Percent
WA Match Match Match Match Match Matched
standards (rating of 3) (rating of 2) (rating of 1) (rating of 0) (total ratings of (total ratings of 1,
1 and 2) 2, and 3)
Kindergarten 27 4 9 1 13 10 52%
1st grade 30 13 4 0 13 4 57%
2nd grade 33 3 13 2 15 15 55%
3rd grade 33 9 4 8 12 12 64%
4th grade 32 15 4 2 11 6 66%
5th grade 31 13 8 1 9 9 71%
K-5 Band 186 57 42 14 73 56 61%
6th grade 31 8 18 3 2 21 94%
7th grade 31 17 9 2 3 11 90%
8th grade 32 14 10 3 5 13 84%
9/10th
grades 29 17 4 3 5 7 83%
6-10 Band 123 56 41 11 15 52 88%
Total 309 113 83 25 88 108 72%

Washington Alignment Analysis: English language arts Page 6
Table 2: Grade Level Statistical Summary – Writing

Alignment of Washington State Writing Standards to the Common Core English Language Arts Standards
Grade Level Total # of CCSS Full CCSS Partial CCSS Weak CCSS No Total Partial Total Percent
WA Match Match Match Match Match Matched
standards (rating of 3) (rating of 2) (rating of 1) (rating of 0) (total ratings of (total ratings of 1,
1 and 2) 2, and 3)
Kindergarten 22 9 3 4 6 7 73%
1st grade 23 6 7 4 6 11 74%
2nd grade 24 7 6 4 7 10 71%
3rd grade 28 13 8 2 5 10 82%
4th grade 28 14 8 3 3 11 89%
5th grade 28 14 8 3 3 11 89%
K-5 Band 153 63 40 20 30 60 80%
6th grade 28 22 5 0 1 5 96%
7th grade 28 20 7 0 1 7 96%
8th grade 28 8 10 4 6 14 79%
9/10th
grades 28 8 10 2 8 12 71%
6-10 Band 112 58 32 6 16 38 86%
Total 265 121 72 26 46 98 83%

Washington Alignment Analysis: English language arts Page 7
Table 3: Grade Level Statistical Summary – Communication
Alignment of Washington State Communication Standards to the Common Core English Language Arts Standards
Grade Level Total # of CCSS Full CCSS Partial CCSS Partial CCSS No Total Partial Total Percent
WA Match Match Match Match Match Matched
standards (rating of 3) (rating of 2) (rating of 1) (rating of 0) (total ratings of (total ratings of 1,
1 and 2) 2, and 3)
Kindergarten 11 0 3 2 6 5 45%
1st grade 14 2 2 1 9 3 36%
2nd grade 15 1 3 5 6 8 60%
3rd grade 16 4 2 4 6 6 63%
4th grade 17 0 3 6 8 9 53%
5th grade 14 0 3 3 8 6 43%
K-5 Band 87 7 16 21 43 37 51%
6th grade 15 1 3 3 8 6 47%
7th grade 15 1 3 3 8 6 47%
8th grade
14 6 2 3 3 5 79%
9/10th
grades 11 3 5 1 2 6 82%
6-10 Band
55 11 13 10 21 23 62%
Total
142 18 29 31 64 60 55%

Washington Alignment Analysis: English language arts Page 8
Alignment Analysis Crosswalks

Three alignment analysis crosswalks are provided in the following sections based on the organization of Washington’s learning standards:
Section 1: Reading
Section 2: Writing
Section 3: Communication

Given the organization and structure of the Common Core State Standards, the following key provides support for identifying the labels for the
Common Core Standards that appear in the crosswalks.

Key:
L – Language RH – Reading History
R – Reading Standards RST – Reading Science Technical Subjects
RF – Reading Foundations SL – Speaking and Listening Standards
RI – Reading Informational Text TC – Text Complexity
RL – Reading Literature W or WS – Writing Standards
WHST – Writing History Science Technical Subjects

Washington Alignment Analysis: English language arts Page 9
Section One: Reading Alignment Analysis Crosswalk

Alignment of Washington State Reading Standards to the Common Core English Language Arts
Standards
Grade K
EALR 1: The student understands and uses different skills and strategies
to read.
Component Gr. K - GLEs Common Core Rating Comments
1.1 Use word 1.1.1 Understand and RF 1. a RF.1.b 3 In the Common Core under Reading
recognition skills and apply concepts of RF.1.c RF.1.d Standards: Foundational Skills listed under
strategies to read and print. 1d. is more specific than the GLE which
comprehend text. specifies upper and lowercase letters instead
of just letters.
1.1.2 Understand and RF 2.a RF. 2. b 3 In the Common Core under Reading
apply phonological RF. 2. c RF.2.d RF. Standards: Foundational Skills listed under
awareness and 2.e 2.d is more specific adding "isolate and
phonemic awareness. pronounce the initial, medial vowel and final
sounds."
1.1.3 Apply RL 1. RL.2. RL. 3 The Common Core standards are more
understanding of oral 3. RI. 1 RI.2 RI.3 specific. It is covered in two areas; Reading
language skills to Standards for Literature, Reading Standards
develop reading skills. for Informational Text.
1.1.4 Apply RF 1.d RF.3.a RF. 2 In the Common Core under Reading
understanding of 3.b RF.3.d RF.2.d Standards: Foundational Skills listed under
phonics. 1d. is more specific than the GLE which
specifies upper and lowercase letters instead
of just letters. In the Common Core 3.d
exceeds GLE. The Common Core standard
does not addres "using knowledge of phonics
to read unfamiliar words in context".
1.2 Use vocabulary 1.2.1 Understand how 0
(word meaning) to use resources to
strategies to learn new word
comprehend text. meanings.
Washington Alignment Analysis Crosswalk: Reading Page 10