Status of the Appeals, PSAT/SAT/ACT and WASL/Grade Comparison Options

Robert ButtsOffice of

Superintendent of Public Instruction

WERA ConferenceDecember 8, 2006

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PSAT/SAT/ACT Math Equivalency May meet math standard by meeting/exceeding score on PSAT, SAT, or

ACT

Must take WASL twice. Need not meet attendance/remediation requirements in SLP

Minimum scores: PSAT - 47 SAT - 470 ACT – 19

May ”bank” scores earned before taking WASL twice

Form being developed to document student has met standard – see website after February 15 Will need copy of original score report Need to develop a process for including in Student Information Systems

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PSAT/SAT/ACT Math Equivalency Of 24,000 matched students (2003 WASL/2005 SAT), 2,049

met/exceeded 470 on SAT and did not meet the WASL math standard

Reimbursement/Fee Waivers Legislation requires school districts to reimburse students

for taking these tests “for the purposes of an alternative assessment”

OSPI exploring feasibility with ACT and SAT of providing fee waivers for eligible students in lieu of reimbursement

Must have taken WASL twice, not met standard Funding currently available through June 2007 Check website in January for more information

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WASL/Grades Comparison Must take WASL twice and meet any attendance and remediation

requirements in Student Learning Plan Compares the course grades of the applicant with the grades of

students who: Were in same school Took same courses (e.g., Algebra 1); and Met or slightly exceeded standard.

Compares applicant’s grades with mean grades of this “comparison cohort”

Use equivalent of classes that earn 2 credits For mathematics, reading, writing Been concerns about correlation, esp. in reading/writing

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WASL/Grades Comparison

Highest Math WASL score = 390

Took Algebra I and Geometry

Average grades for the two classes: 2.9

Frank

Students in the high school who took

Algebra I and Geometry

Students who met or slightly exceeded the

math standard

(scores of 400-420)

Mean grades of this “cohort”: 2.7

Frank’s average grades: 2.9

Meets the mathematics standard

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WASL/Grades Comparison

Draft rules distributed for comment prior to January 2

Goal is to adopt rules by early spring

Will not be ready for use until this spring or fall

Outstanding issues: Are data for prior school years available and accessible? Can a statewide electronic tool be developed? Should this be available only after junior year?

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Transfer Students and Special Cases

SB 6475 requires OSPI to develop guidelines and appeal procedures for waiving CAA/CIA requirement for students:

Who transfer into a WA school in junior or senior year; and

Who have special, unavoidable circumstances

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Transfer Students

Principles Makes sense and considered to be fair by

students, parents, educators Not overly complex and can successfully be

implemented Maintains the integrity of the CAA Recognizes transfer student may not have had a

opportunity-to-learn Must work for children of parents in the military

and others who relocate frequently

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Transfer Students

Two different options currently under consideration: Waive CAA/CIA requirement for students who arrive

after October 1 in junior year or in senior year Would be able to graduate, but would not get a CAA/CIA

Waive CAA requirement only for students who have passed another state high school assessment or out-of-country students who demonstrate skills

Math/Reading-Writing-English language Arts Would be able to graduate, but would not get a CAA/CIA

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Transfer Students

Option 1 (Broad Waiver) Clearer and easier to implement Recognizes lack of opportunity-to-learn for transfer

students Raises issues regarding fairness to students who

have been in WA but not met standards

Option 2 (Other state tests/out-of-country) More difficult to implement, esp. out-of-country Does require that students demonstrate skills, but not

necessarily “comparable skills”

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Special Circumstances Current Draft:

Students with “special, unavoidable circumstances” could file an appeal to SPI

Would go to a statewide Appeals Board Principals/teachers Meets 3 - 4 times a year Makes recommendation to SPI

Definition No fault of their own Include, but not limited to:

Could not take assessment in senior year due to illness, injury, or loss of a parent

Major error in test administration Accommodations not provided

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Timeline for Appeals

Draft rules distributed for comment prior to January 2

Goal is to adopt rules by early spring.