Elevator Speech

What do you need to share with …..?

Example: Students

We know that you will do your best when you know why we make changes in our classroom’s instruction and assessments. Few problems in life are solved in 50 minutes. They require collaboration, deep thinking and analysis. This new way of assessing your ability to do this will occur in a couple years, so we want to make sure you have an opportunity to practice. This is an opportunity for you to shine, to show your talents, to really solve meaningful, real-life problems.

Let’s take a look at what you will be asked to do.

Community

As we progress and continue to grow as a school district we will begin to implement a new curriculum for our courses that will ensure college and career readiness for our children. This change will bring with it a shift in how we look at our teaching methods. During this change you will see an increase in the need for improved reading and writing skills as well as a true need to teach our children perseverance. We look forward to taking this journey with you and appreciate your support in this needed and positive change.

Samples: Teachers

• The common core requires a significant shift in developing depth of knowledge for students by focusing our daily priorities and practices on increasing rigor – connecting interdisciplinary learning with real world applications.

• Students are being asked to demonstrate their knowledge in unprecedented ways. We need to get them there! Through support in instructional practices professional development and resources, we will get them there!

2nd Elevator Speech

Pair Share

What do you need to share with your ________?

Sample: Community Members

• Have you heard about the new common core state standards and the Smarter Balanced assessments? This new approach is going to increase teacher collaboration, content integration, and depth of knowledge for students. This will help children to think more flexibly and prepare then for success in college and career. You should learn more about the exciting initiative. Would you like my card?

Samples: Parents

• We are going to be giving your students opportunities to learn in new and different ways. Our goal is to prepare them for the workplace of their future. As we go thru this process we want to work together with you to build success and keep you a part of our student’s learning.

Samples: Board Member • With our limited PD time we do not have enough

opportunities to ready our staff for the expectations coming.

• We have an opportunity for unprecendented changes in our schools at this time. You and all of our stakeholders want our student so achieve at higher levels. Therefore the district administrators, and you the board, along with our teachers, administration, staff and students will be focusing their efforts on transitioning to the successful implementation of the CCSS, in ALL our classrooms.

Sample: Parents

• We know that you want your child to be successful in their life. That’s important to use too, that’s why we are here. The shift to the common core will teach your child how to problem solve. And this will help them adapt to the changes they will face in their life.

Sample: School Board

• Common Core is important because Smarter Balanced will replace the MEAP in 2014-15. We want to be proactive in our professional development and our teaching to best prepare our students for Career and College Readiness.

Sample: ESL learner & Migrant/ Title I

• Many states are having new state tests. These tests will use more skills that your children learn at school and at home. There are many things you can do to help your child such as have your child bring home books from the library and ask your child questions about what he or she is reading. You can show that reading and learning is important by having lots of books in your home and have your child see reading/looking at books, too. You can always take your child to the public library to borrow books and use the computers and other programs there for free.

Sample: Superintendents

• I’ve been looking at our data county-wide and we have a lot of work to do to teach our students for the career and college readiness standards and prepare for the Smarter Balanced Assessments. I would like to ask you for your support in our work by creating the structures and processes for our work. Do you have some time that we could talk about that so I can gain your commitment?

Samples: Teachers

• Our target is next spring – we’ll analyze what we need to do any break it up into manageable chunks. Don’t panic we are already doing much of this.

• We are preparing students for their post-secondary experiences. We want to be sure that they have the rigorous background necessary for this goal.