2015_HSGuide

LOUISIANA
HIGHER
STANDARDS
Over the past year you have probably heard more than a
Here is an example of a high
school mathematics question
aligned with current state
standards:
Street and Pine Street run exactly east to west. Oak
Avenue runs exactly north to south. All of the streets
remain straight.
are being put in place in our state and across the country.
and reading and almost 1/3 of our states' college students
enrolled in developmental courses, there was a clear
need for change. In 2010, higher standards were
adopted with a focus on English language arts and math.
The State Standards define what you need to learn in
reading, writing and math in each grade to stay on track
for college and career. These standards do not dictate
how you are taught; rather they ensure that you
understand specific concepts by the end of a given year.
While there have always been standards, the new
standards are more rigorous and will help to prepare
you with essential skills to compete in a competitive,
global market place.
In high school, you will use a deeper understanding
of mathematics to solve real-world problems. The
new standards allow for greater focus on fewer topics.
Concepts covered in lower grades will be built upon
during your high school career. The rigor requires
that you have a deeper conceptual understanding, you
possess speed and accuracy in calculations and correctly
apply mathematical knowledge.
Oak Ave.
Maple St.
Pine St.
Birch St.
Elm St.
Which statements must be true, based only on the given
A. Birch Street and Elm Street intersect at right angles.
B. Maple Street and Pine Street are parallel.
C. If more of the map is shown, Elm Street and Oak
Avenue will not intersect.
D. Oak Avenue and Maple Street are perpendicular.
Source: http:/www.parcc.pearson.com/resources/practice_test/
geometry.
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The standards for English Language Arts and Literacy for
high school students builds upon existing standards and
mirrors what you will need to succeed in college, career
and life. These standards call for a greater focus on
increasing the complexity of text and expanding
students’ vocabularies in preparation for college and
career level reading by the end of high school. You may
notice the way questions are asked regarding
information you have read. Rather than having relied on