EXAMINING OPTIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL NCLB TESTING

Deanna L. Morgan, ModeratorThe College Board

This Session

Representatives from 4 states will discuss the model they use for high school NCLB testing and the associated advantages and disadvantages of each.

Michael Hock, Vermont Department of Education Carol Crothers, Nevada Department of Education John Jesse, Utah Department of Education Dan Hupp, Maine Department of Education

Tim Crockett from Measured Progress, the contractor for each state, will compare the 4 models and provide some information for consideration.

Time for questions will be available at the end of the session.

New England Common Assessment Program Grade 11 Tests of Reading, Writing & Mathematics

Michael Hock Vermont Department of Education NCSA 2010

STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES OF A GENERAL ACHIEVEMENT SURVEY BATTERY FOR ASSESSING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

About NECAP

Michael Hock

NCSA 2010

• Fall Administration to Grade 11 Student in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

• Total Grade 11 Students Assessed – 33,290

• Reading, Writing and Mathematics

• Multiple Choice, Short Answer, Constructed Response and Extended Response (writing)

• Fully aligned with Grade Expectations for end of grade 10

1 long passage

4 MC + 1 CR

4 MC + 1 CR

1 long passage

4 MC + 1 CR

4 MC + 1 CR

1 long passage

4 MC + 1 CR

4 MC + 1 CR1 short passage

4 MC + 1 CR

1 short passage

4 MC + 1 CR

1 short passage

4 MC + 1 CR

6 stand-alone vocabulary MC

Passages are literary and informational. MC = multiple choice; CR = constructed response.

Session 1

Session 2

60 – 90 minutes each

Distribution of Emphasis for ReadingGrade 11 Reading Test Design

Reading Strands 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 11thWord Identification 20% 15% -- -- -- -- --Vocabulary Strategies & Breadth

20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%

Subtotals

40% 35% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%

Initial Understanding of Literary Text

20% 20% 20% 20% 15% 15% 15%

Initial Understanding of Informational Text

20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%

Subtotals

40% 40% 40% 40% 35% 35% 35%

Analysis & Interpretation of Literary Text

10% 15% 20% 20% 25% 25% 25%

Analysis & Interpretation of Informational Text

10% 10% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20%

Subtotals

20% 25% 40% 40% 45% 45% 45%

Totals

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Distribution of Emphasis for ReadingDistribution of Emphasis for Reading

No Calculator or Math Tools

16 multiple choice(one point each)

8 Short Answer(one point each)

5 Short Answer(two points each)

16 multiple choice(one point each)

8 Short Answer(one point each)

4 Short Answer(two points each)

Calculator and Math Tools Permitted

3 Constructed Response

(four points each)

3 Constructed Response

(four points each)

Session 1

Session 2

60 – 90 minutes each

Distribution of Emphasis for ReadingGrade 11 Mathematics Test Design

Mathematics Strands 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 11th

Number and Operations 55% 50% 50% 45% 30% 20% 20%

Geometry andMeasurement 15% 20% 20% 25% 25% 25% 25%

Algebra andFunctions 15% 15% 15% 15% 30% 40% 40%

Data, Statistics and Probability 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15%

Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Distribution of Emphasis for ReadingDistribution of Emphasis for Mathematics

Common prompt:

• response to lit text

• response to info text

• report

• procedure

• persuasive writing

OR

• reflective essay

Matrixed prompt:

• response to lit text

• response to info text

• report

• procedure

• persuasive writing

OR

• reflective essay

Session 1

Session 2

60 – 90 minutes

Distribution of Emphasis for ReadingGrade 11 Writing Test Design

Writing Clusters 5th 8th 11th

Structures of Language Less emphasis Less emphasis Less emphasis

Response to Literary or Informational Text

Greater emphasis Greater emphasis Greater emphasis

Expressive Writing:• Narrative• Reflective Essay

Greater emphasis(narrative only)

Less emphasis(narrative only)

Greater emphasis(reflective essay

only)

Informational Writing:• Report• Procedure• Persuasive

Greater emphasis (report only)

Greater emphasis(report &

persuasive)

Greater emphasis(report, procedure,

persuasive)

Conventions Less emphasis Less emphasis Less emphasis

Distribution of Emphasis for ReadingDistribution of Emphasis for Writing

Directly aligned with standards and grade expectations

Linked directly to expectations for lower grades; Part of a coherent learning progression

Relevant and appropriate distribution of emphasis

High standards for technical adequacy An engine for standards-based reform Convenient and efficient for contracting

Model Strengths

Difficulty selecting appropriate grade for administration; End of grade or end of sequence?

Significant intervals between learning and assessment; What are the reasonable standards for retention of skills and concepts?

Difficulty identifying core expectations: What do ALL students need to know?

Student Engagement; How can we make the test relevant for students?

Model Challenges

Dear the State of Vermont

Michael Hock

CCSSO 2010

E-Mail from an 11th Grade CTE Student:

            I am writing this letter to apologize to you for what I did to my NECAP test.  I realize now that what I wrote in it was wrong. I understand that I should have taken the test a lot more seriously because the Center for Technology relies on our outcomes. If we do well than they benefit from it. Tech is really an awesome program and I took advantage of it. Most kids in high school would not get the chance to do something like this. Tech prepares you for the future and gives you great opportunities to work in whatever field you choose. If I had written and drew those kinds of pictures in the actual working world it would be completely unethical and I could potentially have gotten fired.  I don’t want to throw excuses at you because what’s done is done but I did not mean anything by what I wrote. It was lyrics from some songs that had been stuck in my head. So I apologize again and hope you accept it.                                         

Dear the State of Vermont

Michael Hock

CCSSO 2010

My response: Thank you for your e-mail. I am sorry that you didn’t take the test more seriously. Just a guess, but your note shows a lot of intelligence and maturity so I suspect that your “real” test scores would have been a valuable addition to the Center for Technology’s results. However, as you wrote, what’s done is done, and it seems like you learned something from the experience, so that’s a plus. I’m particularly glad that you now see that the test is important because it can help a good school like yours get even better. So, in that way, taking the test seriously can be a legacy you leave for the next group of students to come along, or your younger bothers and sisters, or even the children you might have some day. We have a particularly hard time getting high school student to see that the test is important. I wonder if you have any ideas how we might get that message across to next year’s students Oh, by the way, your apology is accepted. 

Dear the State of Vermont

Michael Hock

CCSSO 2010

(The student’s suggestions)

I know for a lot of students this test can be difficult because we don't take regular curriculum classes. We learn more about the jobs we are trying to reach out of tech. I can't speak for every student in tech but from what i know and understand that is why students don't take the tests as seriously as we should. I don't know if this is a possibility but maybe students could take a different kind of test rather than the NECAP. This year when students were preparing to take the tests, teachers tried to explain how important it was and how much it could benefit tech. I heard a lot of students talking about how they'd take it more seriously if they got some kind of reward.

EXAMINING OPTIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL NCLB TESTING

The Nevada High School Proficiency Examination The Nevada High School Proficiency Examination (HSPE)(HSPE)MeetsMeets

No Child Left BehindNo Child Left Behind

Presented by Carol J. CrothersNevada Department of Education

June 20, 2010 National Student Assessment ConferenceDetroit, MI

Nevada HSPE

Passed by the Nevada Legislature in 1977

Became a requirement for graduation in 1990

Writing (Performance Assessment)

Reading (Multiple Choice)

Mathematics (Multiple Choice)

Science* (Multiple Choice)

*Required for students beginning with class of 2010

Current Testing Opportunities Reading, Math, & Science

Grade 10 (Spring) Grade 11 (Fall, Spring) Grade 12 (Fall, Spring, May, July)

Writing Grade 11 (Fall, Spring) Grade 12 (Fall, Spring, May, July)

Application to AYP

For purposes of AYP calculations, students are allowed opportunities through spring of Grade 11

11th Grade enrollment file pulled as of mid-week during spring testing

Student records are matched against past and present testing history

Business Rules for AYP

Proficiency Math Writing & Reading combined for ELA

calculation Participation

Passed in any test administration, or Participated in most recent test

administration (Spring 11th grade) Writing & Reading combined for ELA

calculation

Challenges

• Not all students are required to pass the HSPE for graduation (Adjusted Diplomas are issued to students with disabilities who meet the requirements established in IEP)

• Some statutory or regulatory changes to graduation requirements affecting HSPE are not compatible with AYP

Advantages

High stakes for students result in strong motivation for testing

No extra costs to create a stand alone tests for purposes of accountability only

Contact Information

Carol J. Crothers

Director of the Office ofAssessment, Program Accountability & Curriculum

Nevada Department of Education

700 East Fifth Street

Carson City, NV 89701

775-687-9180

ccrothers@doe.nv.gov

HIGH SCHOOL AYP – UTAH STYLE

John JesseDirector of Assessment and Accountability

2009 AYP Workbook

Language 10th grade Language Criterion Referenced

Test End of course

Math Algebra 1, Geometry End of course

High School Graduation Exam (non AYP) 10th grade

Positives:Focused curriculum/clear targetsSpecific teacher responsibilityCourse availability for remediation

Issues:Math samples lowest achieving segment

Math AMO 40 % Language Arts AMO 82%Policy makers created additional

assessment

2010 AYP Workbook

Algebra 10th grade (Score banking and retakes)

Resolutions All students sampled Sets high school math standard

Issues Students moving from out of state Students on adjusted math curriculum

schedule

MAINE’S SAT INITIATIVE

USING A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TEST AS A STATE’S HIGH SCHOOL NCLB ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURE

DAN HUPPMAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

A Brief History

After administering the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) since 1985, the Maine Department of Education changed its required high school assessment to the SAT in the spring of 2006.

The Maine SAT Initiative has been made possible by a working collaborative consisting of dedicated members from the College Board, Measured Progress and the Maine Department of Education.

Why the Change?

Students lacked engagement and investment in the MEA

The results could not be used for grades

The results were not used by colleges

Why the Change?(continued)

….additionally, The MEA results had been flat for the

previous five years MEA required much in-school testing

time MEA was developed specifically for

Maine - no opportunity to share expenses or expertise

Why the Change?(continued)

The MEA was the school’s sole NCLB accountability measure yet many students did not put forth their best efforts.

Without maximum student effort, the resulting MEA scores were not a valid or accurate measure of actual student learning.

Therefore, decisions made from the analysis of the MEA data were debatable.

So Why Was the SAT Chosen?Because: About 2/3 of Maine’s graduating classes

were already taking the SAT at their own expense

It has relevance and meaning to students, parents and the educational community

It is widely recognized and accepted by academic institutions around the world

So Why Was the SAT Chosen?(continued)

The are multiple levels of student support- readiness and preparation

It fits into the Department’s vision of graduating all students college*, career and citizenship ready.

* any post-secondary institution

Is there any hard data to support the claim of increased student engagement associated with the implementation of the SAT Initiative?

Yes-

The percentage of students who took the SAT prior to the state initiative

The number of home-schoolers now requesting the high school test

The student questionnaire data supplied on the next slide

How important to you is your score on the Math-A and Science test you just completed? (SAT)?

A. extremely important 11% (52%) B. important 37% (29%) C. somewhat important 29% (9%) D. not very important 17% (5%)

results from 2009 student questionnaire

Were There Concerns About Adopting the SAT? –Yes.

Two Basic Categories of Concerns:

The SAT was not the right test

The logistics of administering the SAT to all students would be impossible to implement

Concerns

Each concern was: taken seriously examined thoroughly addressed as completely as possible

Not the Right Test

It’s an “Aptitude Test” and does not measure academic content.

-“Aptitude” was dropped in 1994; colleges use SAT results for placement decisions; alignment studies confirm the match.

It is extremely “coachable”; students from affluent families would be advantaged.

-Any test with a stable blueprint is somewhat “coachable”; on-line prep for all.

Not the Right Test

It is not designed for all students- Recent studies show college and career

skill set to be similar. The USDOE’s NCLB review would not

approve the test-Maine’s assessment system was

approved on April 24, 2008.

Impossible Logistics

Students won’t come to school on a Saturday to take a test.

-Commissioner declared the day a legal school day; state has achieved at least 95% participation rate each year.

Some students will have to travel many miles to a test center.

-Every Maine high school becomes an approved SAT test center for the May administration.

Impossible Logistics

Transportation and operational expenses are an unfair burden on local schools.

- All transportation costs incurred by schools are covered by the state.

The “other” students will disrupt the test.- To the amazement of some and the delight

of others, no such incidents have occurred -and on the contrary, those “other” students have stepped up to the challenge and atmosphere.

2010 MHSA Administration Dates The MHSA SAT administration date for

the 2009-2010 school year is Saturday, May 1, 2010. 

The MHSA Science Tests must be administered during a 2- week window which begins Monday, March 29th and closes Friday, April 9th, 2010.

2010 MHSA/SAT Make-Up Dates Saturday June 2nd for students wanting

to receive traditional SAT college reportable scores (taken at a nearby test center).

Monday May 3rd –Wednesday May 12th for students wanting “Maine Purposes Only” scores (taken at the local high school during the school day).

Equity in Preparation

Leveling the playing field for all students

Equity in Preparation

*#1 (by far) is quality daily instruction*

SAT “Question of the Day”

The Official SAT Online Course

-WebEx Training for Maine Students and Educators

-Regional Professional Development for Math and ELA

SAT: Student Readiness / Preparation As part of a multi-year agreement with College Board, the

Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce that effective immediately, all students enrolled in Maine public high schools (grades 9-12) have 24-hour, year-round access to The Official SAT Online Course. This opportunity also extends to all high school faculty and administrators. For technical assistance regarding The Official SAT Online Course, call:

1-800-416-5137

SAT Online Course Case Studies October edition of The Official SAT Online Course Educator

Newsletter The WebEx training for Maine educators on SAT Online

Course use is available at http://www.collegeboard.com/mainetraining

Equity in Preparation

The Official SAT Study Guide –student and teacher editions

PrepMe.com

Google “free SAT preparation material absolutely free”

SAT Data Release

By combining the Measured Progress Data Analysis Tool and the College Board released test form, schools are able to view how every student answered every question on the May SAT administration.

Challenges and Next Steps

To make all students, parents and educators aware of the resources that currently exist (on-going)

To provide an SAT item-level report to all students and schools (previous slide)

To provide professional development using that SAT data in combination with corresponding PSAT data (continue and improve)

Challenges and Next Steps

To further simply the MHSA student registration process

To make fully transparent and understandable all aspects of the MHSA program

To create a state-wide “best practices” user group

Maine’s SAT Initiative

All Maine High School Assessment (MHSA) information can be found on the Department’s web site at:

http://www.maine.gov/education/sat_initiative/index.htm

Contact me directly at: dan.hupp@maine.gov

COMPARISONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Tim Crockett, DiscussantMeasured Progress

Model Comparison

SurveyBattery

Graduation Test

End of Course CollegePlacement

High Stakes for Students(Motivation)

X X X

High Stakes for Schools X X X X

Re-tests/ make-ups Required X X X

Targeted Content (Subset of High School Coursework)

X

Specific Teacher Responsibility X

Constructed as Standards-Based (as opposed to NRT)

X X X

Very Rapid Turnaround(Potentially Leads to all MC)

X X X

Other Considerations:

Survey Battery What grade to test? What is core for all students?

Graduation Test Significant file matching for past performances Are achievements standards as high as grades 3-8?

End of Course Varying student course-taking schedules Student mobility

College Placement Non-college reportable administration required to allow

for full range of accommodations All items released and reported out