EDN 301 Fall 2002 Dr. Catherine Nesbit Mr. Jeff Ertzberger

NC Testing Polices Two Policies You Need to Know… Student Accountability Standards (For Students) ABCs Accountability Model (For Teachers) Two things you want to know. First we will look at the Student Accountability Standards

NC Testing Polices Student Accountability Standards For Students Composed of 4 “Gateways” In order to be promoted to the next grade level where a gateway occurs a student must: Meet local promotion requirements Pass state mandated tests.

NC Testing Polices Student Accountability Standards Gateway 1--Grade 3 Meet local promotion requirements. Demonstrate grade-level proficiency by scoring at Level III or above on state end-of-grade tests in reading and math. Gateway 2--Grade 5 Score at Level III or above on state end-of-grade tests in reading and math. Score at or above proficiency level 2.5 on the grade 4 writing assessment. (Students who do not have this score will be given intervention and assistance to develop their writing skills.) Gateway 3--Grade 8 Score at or above proficiency level 2.5 on the grade 7 writing assessment. (Students who do not have this score will be given intervention and assistance to develop their writing skills.) Gateway 4--High School Meet existing local and state graduation requirements. A passing score on an exit exam of essential skills. Students will take this exam in the spring of 11th grade. A passing score on the computer skills test (effective with class of 2001). Effective date: graduating class of 2005 Be sure to point out test comes from standard course of study. So if a student doesn’t pass they are what – failed. Remediation, then take it again. See handout on when things are tested by grade level Pass out sheet shows what tested when.

NC Testing Polices ABCs Accountability Model (For Teachers) Rewards teachers in schools that perform well on certain end of grade tests. Sanctions those schools who do not perform will on certain end of grade test. This is for Teachers and principals

ABCs Accountability Model (For Teachers) NC Testing Polices ABCs Accountability Model (For Teachers) When they run this formula they are looking at test scores to see: How many students in your class passed the test. What percentage Did your schools scores improve from last year?

NC Testing Polices ABCs Accountability Model Incentives Sanctions In all schools that attain the High Growth standards, certified staff members each receive up to $1,500 incentive awards and teacher assistants receive up to $500. In all schools attaining the Expected Growth standard (but less than High Growth), certified staff members each receive up to $750 and teacher assistants up to $375. Schools that do not meet the expected growth standard and have a performance composite of less than 50 percent are identified as low performing. The State Board of Education will assign mandatory state assistance teams to a select group of low performing schools. Other schools in this category will be eligible for voluntary assistance to help improve the school’s performance. Low performing schools must notify students’ parents in writing about the schools’ low-performing status. Incentives – Only good if funded each year. Can be less than the amount above. Sanctions – Principal can be fired if the state board deems it necessary. The assistance teams can force teachers in the school to take a general knowledge test if they think that a teacher is not knowledgeable. If the teacher fails the test twice they are dismissed.

Benefits to Standardized Testing Standardized Curriculum Should catch children not being served. Shows were you need to focus What are some benefits of these tests? Should catch children not being served. What are some drawbacks? Stress on teachers. Stress on students. Can you really assess knowledge on a multiple choice test Biased Tests – farm question from heather Tests usually punish critical thinking skills http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/schools/etc/video.html Teachers teach the test Negative Enforcement for Students

Drawbacks to Standardized Testing Stress on teachers. Stress on students. Can you really assess knowledge on a multiple choice test Biased Tests – farm question from Tests usually punish critical thinking skills http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/schools/etc/video.html Teachers teach the test Negative Enforcement for Students What are some benefits of these tests? Should catch children not being served. What are some drawbacks? Stress on teachers. Stress on students. Can you really assess knowledge on a multiple choice test Biased Tests – farm question from heather Tests usually punish critical thinking skills http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/schools/etc/video.html Teachers teach the test Negative Enforcement for Students

Questions about NC Testing? Tell students that there are released versions of tests out there. Also talk to other teachers in your building. They will know exactly what you should be doing in order to prepare your students for the test.