American Diploma Project: Aligning high school standards and assessments with postsecondary and new economy needs Kentucky P-16 Council Meeting June 10, 2003

ADP State Policy Panels Review Research Findings: Legal, Workplace and Postsecondary (“Gap Analysis”) Studies Consider policy options for meeting ADP goals –Use of standards-based assessment data in high school graduation, college admissions/placement and hiring decisions Develop plan for meeting ADP goals and closing gaps between current standards/assessments and postsecondary and employer expectations over time

Summary of Gap Analysis: Kentucky ELA Some essential content missing in core content standards Standards could be more precise Quality and complexity of reading not defined Cognitive challenge of tests doesn’t align to postsecondary expectations Writing assessment might be useful now for placement purposes (scoring guide good) “Proficient” anchors don’t reflect P.S. needs Need analytical writing component

Summary of Gap Analysis: Kentucky Math Some content (math-dependent fields) is missing in core content standards Math assessment missing essential algebra II content Cognitive challenge of tests doesn’t align to postsecondary expectations Disconnect between math assessment, core content standards and program of studies

Other Issues: Math and ELA Tests do not generate individual scores Scores are not reported by domain and item type Some assessments administered too early? Consistency between the recommendations of ADP and KY’s P-16 Alignment Teams

KY ADP Policy Panel Recommendations Comprehensive Short- and long-term needs addressed Shared responsibilities Emphasis on communications

Developing ADP Draft Benchmarks Synthesize workplace and postsecondary expectations (Create draft benchmarks) (Winter 2003) Supervise Content Expert/Employer Panels (Spring - Summer 2003) Circulate draft benchmarks (Spring – Summer 2003) Establish National Annual Forum (Fall, 2003) Conduct campaign encouraging use of benchmarks by all states

Outstanding Issues/Next Steps Including rationale statements Describing quality and complexity of reading Defining quantity of writing assignments Describing math content v. course names Identifying strong examples from the workplace and postsecondary classrooms (where appropriate, cross-domain examples)

Circulation of Draft Benchmarks in KY Northern Kentucky P-16 Council o-- Math Taskforce (K-12 and Postsecondary) o-- Writing Portfolio Project Committee o-- Employers Advisory Council KY Chamber of Commerce -- June 16 th and 17 th Discussion Groups

National Circulation of Benchmarks: Summer 2003 ADP partner-state meeting June 23 Web-based survey Distribution via national organizations Further distribution via ADP partner- state networks