NJ PEP: Virtual Academy (NJ Professional Education Port)

Content Standards Overview - The New Strands

Question: What are strands? How do they help with planning?
Answer: Strands have been introduced into the standards to aid districts with continuity and planning between grades. Strands are a subset of the standards, and very helpful when looking at student expectations and achievement over time. We have used Language Arts as only one example - please go to NJPEP's Standards Web site to develop your own continuums.

We shall use Standard 3.1, Reading: and Strand B. Phonological Awareness. (NOTE that there are strands A. through H. for the Reading standard).

Let's look at Standard 3.1 Strand B from Kindergarten through Grade Four. Click on each of the following in turn, and check out how Strand B changes over the grades:
3.1.K
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
You can see how the cumulative progress indicators (CPIs) change and decrease in number over time, as the student learns to read.

Now check out Standard 3.1 Strand G. Comprehension Skills and Response to Text. Again, click on each of the following in turn, and check out how Strand G changes over the grades:
3.1.K
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
3.1.6
3.1.8
3.1.12
You can see that the demands on the students become different and more complex over the years.