Superintendents Quarterly Meeting: March 15, 2005

1
Superintendents Quarterly Meeting March 15,
2005

• Testing and
• Accountability
• Lou Fabrizio, Director
• Accountability Services

2
Items to Review

• HB 801 Alternatives to the High School
  Competency Tests
• HB 1414 Evaluate Validity of the ABCs
• Proposed Changes to Accountability Workbook
• LEA Improvement Status and Review Process
• ABCs Changes for 2005-06
• Other Issues

3
HB 801 Alternatives to the High School
Competency Tests

• SBE approved several changes
• Nationally norm-referenced tests
• SAT/ACT
• English I/Algebra I
• Use of assistive technology for certain students
  with disabilities
• Other options to follow in subsequent years

4
HB 1414 Evaluate Validity of ABCs

• Provision in section 7.12.(a) of the budget bill
  requires a comprehensive review of ABCs standards
• This same provision requires that the modified
  standards be in place for the 2005-06 school year
• Issues Session at the SBE March meeting,
  Discussion at the April meeting Action at the
  May meeting
• Information can be accessed at
  http//www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings/0503/0
  503_HSP.pdf (look for HSP6)

5
Recommendations Reviewed

• Technical Advisory Committee
• Standing group of recognized experts
• Supported proposal with suggestions for
  additional analyses
• Helped define high growth
• Provided input for minor adjustments

6
Fundamental Issues

• Change in curriculum prompts new test edition
• Change in one subject impacted other
• Change in curriculum expectations not mirrored in
  growth expectation
• Required conversions to old scale
• Saw-toothed effect

7
The Proposed Formulas

• Based on groups of students spanning 8 years of
  ABCs data
• Includes over 500,000 students per grade and
  subject (grades 3-8)
• Use a consistent scale
• Simplified to allow easier understanding
• Reviewed by outside experts

8
Anticipated Impact

• Results are different, especially in years with a
  test edition change
• Different formulas, different standards,
  different results

9
Advantages

• More stability
• Fewer fluctuations between years
• Clear indication of change in curriculum
  implementation
• Adjusts expectations to the curriculum
• Simpler formulas

10
AdvantagesWhat the Technical Experts Said

• More resilient due to two years prior
  performance
• Different results in test edition change years
  than previous
• Equitable
• Regression coefficients appropriate for the test
  relationships

11
Advantages Student Information

• Provides information on student performance
• C-ratio allows insight into how well schools or
  grades are implementing curriculum

12
Proposed Changes to Accountability Workbook

• LEA Improvement Status Criteria LEA does not
  meet AYP targets two years in a row, same content
  area, across 3-5, 6-8 and high school grade spans
• Two week review of data after being designated
  for consideration for LEA Improvement Status

13
ABCs Changes for 2005-06

• Writing results part of performance composite
  scores
• New formulas for growth (if approved by SBE)
• First year of implementation of new mathematics
  EOG tests in grades 3-8 no mathematics Grade 3
  pretest but statewide field test
• Delay in reporting mathematics and ABCs results

14
Other Issues

• IPT Language Proficiency Tests will have interim
  standards for fall 2005 and spring 2006. Final
  standards will be set by August 2006
• Please return operational Computer Skills
  Performance materials as soon as possible once
  completed
• Medical exemptions letter coming

15
Comments/Gentle Reminders

• Appreciate cooperation among testing, MIS and
  exceptional childrens program directors
• Remind principals to monitor alternate
  assessments throughout year
• Suspension/Expulsion data collection process for
  2004-05