A Smart Way of Coping with Common Core Challenges - Introduction to CAFA SmartWorkbook

Abstract

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in mathematics are currently adopted in most U.S. states. Nonetheless, most math teachers across the country are still experiencing difficulties in putting these standards into practice. Teachers and local school administrators are faced with a challenge of adapting methodologies in instruction and assessment to ensure that students master the knowledge and skills required in the new standards. This leads to an urgent need for well-designed teaching and assessment tools for math education that are aligned to the CCSS.

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the Computer Adaptive Formative Assessment (CAFA) SmartWorkbook which is an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based teaching and assessment tool specially designed for coping with challenges in implementing the CCSS in mathematics. The CAFA SmartWorkbook represents a new stage in exploring opportunities in educational innovation, capitalizing on advances in assessment and technology. This system can be an effective solution to cope with CCSS challenges in both theoretical and practical points of view for students, teachers, parents, and educational administrators.