Quarterly Update Blue Ribbon Commission’s Recommendations of the 2009 Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) Erasure Investigation Dr. Beverly L. Hall Superintendent Atlanta Public Schools February 14, 2011

Quarterly Update Agenda ▪ Background ▪ Overview ▪ Update on BRC Recommendations ▪ Next Steps 2

Background ▪ Blue Ribbon Commission’s report included 29 recommendations: – Security – Process – Leadership – Comparison ▪ Recommendation Owners – Each recommendation was assigned to a division and individual owner – Each owner is a member of the senior leadership team with functional responsibility that aligns with the recommendation 3

Overview ▪ Twenty-nine recommendations outlined in the BRC report – Each recommendation to date has a status of one of the following: Complete In Progress On Hold 4

Security Recommendations ▪ Security recommendations encompass: – Developing a comprehensive test security plan that includes best-in-class test administration procedures – Continuing to research and understand the high number of erasures – Reinforcing and communicating existing testing policies and any new policies or changes 5

Security Recommendations 6 BRC Security Recommendation 2 – Research and identify causes of the unusually high number of erasures within the district and identify and implement best practices in test preparation across the district Status: On Hold Administration’s Update – The district received partial 2009 CRCT erasure data from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA). This data has been analyzed to the extent possible – APS has received 2010 summary erasure data from GOSA and will conduct an analysis – The district will continue to implement best practices in test preparation and administration

Process Recommendations ▪ The process recommendations involve: – Following up to ensure immediate assistance is given to students impacted by testing irregularities – Developing a plan to track implementation of all of the recommendations – Following up on the results of the investigation – Enhancing existing protocols for future CRCT administrations and new audit routines 7

Process Recommendations 8 BRC Process Recommendation 1 – Commit publicly to aggressively follow-up on the results of the investigation by establishing a well-defined plan to consider the findings and recommendations in this report, conduct additional investigations where necessary, and take whatever administrative, legal, and professional action that APS considers appropriate Status: Complete Administration’s Update – Presented a response and plan of action to the ABE and public on August 16, 2010 Presented the first quarterly report on November 1, 2010 Presented the second quarterly report on February 14, 2011 – Full cooperation with investigations conducted by the Governor’s Office

Process Recommendations 9 BRC Process Recommendation 3 – Conduct further investigation of the referred individuals within the Identified Schools and take whatever administrative, legal or professional action APS considers appropriate Status: On Hold Administration’s Update –The PSC approved 27 of 108 referred individuals –APS is providing full cooperation with the Governor’s special investigation team

Process Recommendations 10 BRC Process Recommendation 6 – Develop regular internal audit routines for each administration of the CRCT focused on: test security protocols; test administration; and detailed APS erasure analysis Status: Complete Administration’s Update – APS Internal Auditor has developed a plan to conduct regular audits for each CRCT test administration

Process Recommendations 11 BRC Process Recommendation 7 – Document any testing irregularities identified and specific plans for follow-up and resolution, including referrals to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and/or Fulton County District Attorney's Office, as appropriate Status: Complete Administration’s Update – The cross-divisional process for investigating and following up on testing irregularities has been documented

Leadership Recommendations ▪ Leadership recommendations involve – Driving culture change – Re-assessing current incentive, performance and evaluation systems – Utilizing new forms of review and feedback – Publishing and addressing any additional findings related to the 2009 testing period – Reinforcing and communicating existing, supporting policies 12

Leadership Recommendations 13 BRC Leadership Recommendation 1 – Drive culture change throughout the district to create an environment that effectively balances attention to measurable student outcomes with attention to positive, ethical behavior Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – Modified the APS Balanced Scorecard objective of building a culture of alignment, ethics and accountability – The APS Balanced Scorecard is cascaded to all district leaders who will align their measures to the district scorecard – Alignment with the Effective Teacher in Every Classroom (ETEC) and Race to the Top initiatives

Leadership Recommendations 14 BRC Leadership Recommendation 2 – Proactively re-assess incentive systems and performance evaluation processes for all district employees with a focus on achieving this appropriate balance Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – Planning for this multi-year phased recommendation is in progress as part of the Effective Teacher in Every Classroom (ETEC) and Race to the Top initiatives

Leadership Recommendations 15 BRC Leadership Recommendation 3 – Establish annual goals and performance plans that include a significant emphasis on leadership, integrity and ethics Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – Modified the APS Balanced Scorecard objective of building a culture of alignment, ethics and accountability – A communication toolkit containing guides and resources resulting from the BRC recommendations

Leadership Recommendations 16 BRC Leadership Recommendation 4 – Incorporate self-assessment into the annual plan evaluation processes for leadership (i.e. principals, assistant principals, curriculum leaders, School Reform Team executive directors and central office personnel) Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – The district has developed a self-assessment tool based on the Georgia Department of Education Leader Keys. The feedback will be incorporated into the annual evaluation process for leadership

Leadership Recommendations 17 BRC Leadership Recommendation 5 – Incorporate surveys of teachers and support staff into annual performance planning for principals to provide qualitative evidence on principal performance Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – A school climate survey is being developed based on the Georgia Department of Education School Keys and Georgia Assessment of Performance on School Standards (GAPSS) resources – Feedback from the surveys will be referenced as a data source for the principal annual performance evaluation and professional development opportunities

Leadership Recommendations 18 BRC Leadership Recommendation 6 – Provide observations of principals, which may include shadowing or other efforts, for assessments of leadership ability compared to the critical skills determined for the position. Incorporate data on observed behaviors into the annual assessment process for leaders to assess their competency relative to those skills deemed to be critical for each position Status: Complete Administration’s Update – Observations of principals are conducted by leadership – Data gathered during principal observations are incorporated in the annual assessment and performance evaluation process

Leadership Recommendations 19 BRC Leadership Recommendation 7 – Provide opportunities for regular, anonymous peer and upward feedback (i.e. teacher-to-teacher, teacher-to-assistant/principal, teacher-to-test coordinator, principal-to-executive director) as well as processes for following through and managing this information Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – A school climate survey is being developed based on the Georgia Department of Education School Keys and Georgia Assessment of Performance on School Standards (GAPSS) resources – A process is being designed to provide anonymous feedback – Anonymous feedback will be referenced as a data source for the principal annual performance evaluation and professional development opportunities

Leadership Recommendations 20 BRC Leadership Recommendation 8 – Conduct principal peer reviews and incorporate this information into annual evaluation processes Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – The principal peer review schedule is finalized and observations are underway – Feedback from the principal peer reviews will be included as a data source for the principal annual performance evaluation

Leadership Recommendations 21 BRC Leadership Recommendation 9 – Provide the ABE additional recommendations on plans to monitor the principals and other leaders of the schools being referred by the BRC Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – Reassigned 12 principals – Continuing ongoing monitoring and instructional support to those schools

Leadership Recommendations 22 BRC Leadership Recommendation 11 – Publish additional findings made with respect to events that may have occurred during the 2009 testing period Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – A communication plan has been developed and is being implemented – The district website is being utilized for regular updates

Leadership Recommendations 23 BRC Leadership Recommendation 12 – Given that the findings relate to events that may have occurred during the 2009 CRCT and that personnel changes may have occurred since that time period, APS must provide appropriate support for the implementation of recommendations by the current leadership of schools Status: Complete Administration’s Update – Leadership and staff have been provided additional professional development – Category 1 schools continue to receive support as needed – An experienced education specialist retained for the remainder of the school year

CRCT Comparison Recommendations 24 ▪ BRC CRCT Comparison recommendations encompass: – Additional recommendations focused on the findings related to the comparison of the 2009 and 2010 CRCT results

CRCT Comparison Recommendations 25 BRC CRCT Comparison Recommendation 1 – Given the high number of declines in Math, the BRC recommends that APS conduct a broad assessment of Math outcomes to further determine the root causes of the declines. This assessment should include, but not be limited to, a review of the curriculum and schools/teachers where the declines were most dramatic, as well as an assessment of the effectiveness of current teaching methods Status: Complete Administration’s Update – Completed the broad assessment and reviewed recommendations – Re-aligned the APS math curriculum to mirror Georgia Department of Education scope and sequence – Redesigned the professional development model for all schools with significant declines in mathematics achievement

CRCT Comparison Recommendations 26 BRC CRCT Comparison Recommendation 2 – There are 33 schools that demonstrated a significant decline in the 2010 CRCT test results. The BRC computed this number by looking at two factors - - the number of declines in grade/subject combinations, as well as 10% or greater increase in failure rates. The BRC recommends that the District conduct a further in-depth assessment in these schools Status: In Progress Administration’s Update – APS has received the initial data and completed an analysis which informed school improvement plans – District is providing support, progress monitoring and targeted intervention strategies for the selected schools to improve instructional quality and professional development

Next Steps ▪ Remain committed to implementing 100% of recommendations ▪ Continue collaborative effort across divisions and departments ▪ Ensure full implementation, continue to utilize: – APS Project Management Methodology – Balanced Scorecard for reporting progress in the various departments/divisions ▫ Weekly reports to senior staff ▫ Quarterly reports to ABE 27

Our highest responsibility is to provide the best possible education for our students in every classroom and in every school. We will continue the implementation of the recommendations from the BRC investigative report while staying focused on our main purpose – greater student achievement Closing 28