SCHOOLS & SOCIETY - Essay Example

NECAP clearly ‘represent critical learning targets for literacy and numeracy” (maine.gov). The NECAP covered the following states: New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island. According to the department of education website, its main objective is to assess reading, writing and mathematics from grades 3-8. The third document is the Common Core Standards which is actually a set of core academic standards for mathematics and English Language Arts. Unlike NECAP, literacy in the following areas were also addressed by the core standards: history/social studies, science and technical subjects.

In fact, Maine has already been implementing this set of core standards since last school year. The first document is Maine’s Initial Certification Standards. The document is in a pdf format and serves as a quick reference for those who are interested in acquiring teacher certification in Maine. The document is only two pages long but contains precise requirements (teaching skills) that a person must possess to become a teacher. There are 10 general objectives with specific details on how to accomplish the objectives aforementioned.

There is no subject area mentioned because this document is a general reference for all entry-level teachers. The objectives do not only cover skills but also expected behavioral outcomes. For example, the ninth objective states that teachers must be aware of their legal and ethical commitments. The general objective is further elaborated by defining five abilities that they must possess to show their commitment. One of these abilities include “maintaining confidentiality in their dealings with parents, students, teachers and school personnel” (MICS).

An interested applicant would surely find the document very helpful because the expectations are stated clearly. The NECAP (also known as Grade Level Expectations) is important in assessing the performance of students from grades 3-8. The NECAP results are part of the State’s Accountability Standards that is integrated under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The GLE covers reading, mathematics and writing. The document that was browsed was NECAP Mathematics, which fully states the desired learning outcomes that each grade level must attain.

The document is in pdf format and thirteen pages long, which requires familiarity with teaching concepts in mathematics education. Teachers who are math majors can fully benefit from reading these set of guidelines developed for the state of Maine. The last document is Common Core Standards of Maine which was promulgated by Public Law 647, “An Act to Adopt the Common Core State Standards Initiative”. This set of core standards is applicable to Kindergarten to grade 12, which includes “rigorous grade-level expectations in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing to prepare all students to be college and career ready, including English language learners”( Common Core maine.gov). So the standards have been implemented last year for mathematics and reading.

The document is sixty-six pages long and in a pdf format. Teachers can greatly benefit from the standards because it illustrates the standards for each grade level. Furthermore, teachers can use the standard to help them plan their lessons and teaching strategies so learners can comply with the given standards. Similarity of Documents All three documents are crucial to