Common Core FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions concerning WCA and Common Core State Standards
Our mission is centrally focused on providing a quality, Christ-centered education, in partnership with the church and the home. Wake Christian Academy will continue to maintain independent learning goals and objectives, to help our students reach their full potential. Read more about our Common Core standards analysis, educational standards, and how student achievement is measured below.
Click here for the WCA Executive Summary of Common Core Analysis
What are educational standards?
Educational standards are concise, written descriptions of what students are expected to know and be able to do at specific stages of their education. Educational standards describe educational objectives (what students should learn by the end of a course or grade level), but they are not curriculum, delivery method, or assessment method.
Are educational standards different from goals and objectives?
Educational standards and goals and objectives are essentially the same.
- Goals – broad expectation for students
- Objectives – specific statements of what students should know and do
KINDERGARTEN MATHEMATICS – NUMBERS AND OPERATIONS
Goal 1: The learner will understand numbers and ways to represent numbers.
1.02 Model and count objects in a set and rote count:
a. Forward to 100.
b. Backward from 10.
Does Wake Christian Academy have educational standards?
WCA utilizes goals and objectives, which serve the same function as educational standards. As an independent Christian school, we have the autonomy to establish standards for our students. Our current standards are a product of research and evaluation by our academic departments. During the process of creating our standards, we reviewed academic standards from states such as North Carolina, California, Michigan, New York, and Texas.
If Wake Christian Academy is independent of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, who determines if the standards WCA selected are appropriate?
In 2018, a thorough review of Wake Christian Academy’s curriculum (including goals and objectives, or standards) was conducted by educators from 5 accrediting organizations (Christian and secular), and Wake Christian Academy was awarded full accreditation status. Below are the accreditation organizations who evaluated WCA:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools
- National Council for Private School Accreditation
- North American Christian School Accreditation Agency
- American Association of Christian Schools
- North Carolina Christian School Association.
- AdvancED
What are the Common Core State Standards?
“The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real word, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers.” Common Core State Standard Mission Statement (www.corestandards.org)
The Common Core State Standards sound good. Has WCA adopted them?
The Common Core State Standards Initiative contains many positive elements, but WCA has chosen to maintain independent standards. WCA will continue to engage in regular re-evaluation of its standards to assure that we are preparing our students for success in college and careers.
How will you assess the progress of WCA students?
Our students currently are given nationally standardized tests each year. This is a legal requirement for all private schools in North Carolina.