Student Achievement, Data Trends, and Next Steps David Abrams Assistant Commissioner for Standards, Assessment and Reporting Staff/Curriculum Development Network March 2, 2006

USNY Summit: Early Childhood Education Make pre-kindergarten universal throughout the State. Change the compulsory school attendance age from six to five. Ensure adequate funding to all school districts so they provide full-day kindergarten to all students. Make sure that early education programs starting with pre-kindergarten are standards-based and research- driven, employ the best curriculum and instructional methods, maximize the integration of students with disabilities with their peers, and incorporate the resources of cultural institutions. Make sure school districts are able to hire and retain qualified teachers who can teach a diverse group of students with a range of needs.

USNY Summit: High School Set targets and measure results. Make local school boards accountable for high school performance. Check teacher qualifications and order changes where necessary. Strengthen teaching, especially in math and the sciences. Ensure safety. Engage the public. Improve achievement among the highest performers.

USNY Summit: Higher Education Increase college attendance and graduation rates, especially among underrepresented groups. Increase the number of graduates in critical academic majors and professions. Make college more affordable. Increase investment in faculty, infrastructure, and research. Expand close ties among higher education institutions.

NYS Education Reform Strategy Set high standards/expectations What students need to know and be able to do Create an assessment and accountability system To validate that students are meeting standards To publicly report on progress of schools in meeting standards Build capacity of system to implement changes in instructional practices to meet standards

Systems Integration Makes Strategies More Powerful Connecting Grades 3-8 testing with new student information system will provide more detailed information on student performance over time Connecting Grades 3-8 score reporting with NYSED VLS and PBS resources will give schools the ability to identify instructional strengths and weaknesses and access appropriate online resources

Impact of NCLB on NYS Education Reform Strategy Reinforced need for clear, consistent standards Extended State assessment system to all Grades 3-8 Expanded accountability system to include subgroups of students Emphasized State role in school improvement Highlighted need to have highly qualified teachers

Next Generation of NYS Education Reform Standards will remain and may even need to be revised to match international competition (e.g., math standards) Assessment and accountability will continue to be important to signal priorities, validate achievement and identify strengths and weaknesses

NYS Learning Standards & Core Curricula Local Curricula & Instruction State Assessments Data Repository Grow Reports - District, School, & Student Instructional Resources for Teachers

Role of New York State Testing Program (NYSTP) NYSTP used to: Signal priority content Validate student achievement against performance benchmarks Allow school districts to assess strengths and weaknesses of instructional programs and/or individual students

Implementation of New Mathematics Regents In December 05, the Board of Regents approved an implementation timeline for the new math exams /1205emscvesida4.htm /1205emscvesida4.htm See handout: “New Mathematics Regents Implementation/Transition Timeline”

June Regents Examination Schedules ½ day has been added to the June 06 Regents Examination schedule as an afternoon testing session on Wednesday, June 14 See handout: “Examination Schedule: June 2006”

Grades 3-8 ELA Tests Administration Issues Scoring Issues Next Steps Religious Holidays and Testing

Scaling and Equating Scaled scores v. percentages Need to reach consistent understanding across the State on scaling and equating How Are Regents Examinations Scored Use S/CDN listerv to discuss how to make this document clearer to administrators and instructional staff

Calculator Use on State Assessments Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Instructional Technology and Office of Standards, Assessment and Reporting have worked together to develop “Guidance for Calculator Use in the Classroom and on State Assessments in Mathematics” (see handout).

IRS Update: Repository System & Grow Reports The Report Advisory and Technical Advisory Committees have each met twice. We will be sharing samples of student reports in the next month. The interim verification process has been initiated with the delivery of the Welcome Packet to school superintendents.

IRS Update: Repository System & Grow Reports The first data verification reports will be available for review by districts the week of March 6. The reports cover student enrollment and demographic data. SED and Grow will provide training on using and understanding reports to S/CDN in June-Details forthcoming.

IRS Update: Repository System & Grow Reports Grow’s Analytical Tool, including the security system will be rolled out in July. In July and early August, Grow and SED staff will provide “Train The Trainer” workshops at approximately 15 locations around the State.

IRS Update: Repository System & Grow Reports RICs and Big 5 will coordinate the logistics of the training with BOCES staff. In addition to general training, there will be workshops specifically geared to: Helping parents understand reports; Using the analytical tool; and Using the authorization and authentication system.