1. Alternative School Accountability in Alaska
NCSA Conference – Philadelphia, PA
June 20, 2016
Margaret MacKinnon
Director of Assessment & Accountability

2. A little about education in Alaska
507 schools in 54 districts
Statewide PK-12 enrollment of about 132,000 students
Districts range in size from 13 to more than 48,000 students
67.7% of students are in just four districts

3. Alternative Schools Statewide, from Barrow to Ketchikan
24 schools in 11 districts
15 alternative high schools
8 schools operated in Division of Juvenile Justice youth facilities
1 school operated for students housed in adult correctional complex in Anchorage
Note: Schools operated in youth or correctional facilities were added to the definition of alternative schools in

4. Alternative schools across the state

5. Alaska School Performance Index
Overall score and star-rating from 1- to 5-stars (5 highest)
Grades 9-12 weighted indicators:
Academic achievement (20%)
School progress (40%)
Attendance (10%)
Graduation Rate (20%)
College & Career Readiness (10%)

6. ASPI Ratings in 2012-2013 First ASPI ratings released in August, 2013
Metric did not differentiate between alternative schools - all clustered in the bottom range of the star ratings
Alternative schools saw no clear path to improve
Metric created disincentive to enroll very students alt schools were designed to serve
Mathematically implausible to achieve an ASPI rating above 3-stars

7. 273 non-alternative schools with grade 12
ASPI ratings
273 non-alternative schools with grade 12
15 alternative schools

8. The catalyst for change
Alaska State Alternative Schools Association formed a working group in cooperation with the Department of Education staff. The group:
Examined the indicators where the disparities were greatest – attendance rate, graduation rate, and academic achievement.
Determined the indicator where alternative schools make a significant positive impact on students – school progress.

9. Two Types of Changes Proposed for Alternative Schools ASPI
Modify points for attendance & graduation rates
to better reflect reality but also serve as stretch goals to provide incentives for these schools to continue to improve in these areas.
Adjust weights of academic achievement and school progress
to better reflect the areas in which alternative schools have the greatest ability to impact student performance.

10. Points earned on each ASPI indicator based on table of values
Point Value Tables
Points earned on each ASPI indicator based on table of values
Point values structured to provide incentives for schools to reach targets
Attendance - incentive to maintain 93% or higher attendance rate
Attendance rate
Points
96.00% - 100%
100
93.00% % 95
90.00% % 80
85.00% % 50
70.00% % 25
Below 70.00%

11. Alternative Schools Attendance rate
Attendance Rates
Traditional Schools
Alternative Schools
Attendance rate
Points
96.00% - 100%
100
93.00% % 95
90.00% % 80
85.00% % 50
70.00% % 25
Below 70.00%
Alternative Schools Attendance rate
Points
88.00%-100%
100 % 95
78.00%-82.99% 80 % 50
65.00%-72.99% 25
Below 65.00%

12. Graduation Rates Traditional Schools Alternative Schools 4-year rate
Points
100 95 90 70 50 25 10
Below 50.00
Below 60.00
4-year
rate
5-year
Points
100 95 90 70 50 25 10
Below 35.00
Below 40.00

13. ASPI Weightings Adjusted
Category
Traditional Schools
Alternative Schools
Academic Achievement
20%
10%
School Progress
40%
50%
Attendance Rate
Graduation rate
College & Career Readiness Indicator
Total
100%

15. Effects of Changes - Success!
EED released preliminary ASPI ratings for alternative schools based on the modified model on August 1, 2014.
ASPI ratings showed greater differentiation among alternative schools

16. 273 non-alternative schools with grade 12
ASPI ratings
273 non-alternative schools with grade 12
15 alternative schools

17. 264 non-alternative schools with grade 12
ASPI ratings
264 non-alternative schools with grade 12
24 alternative schools

18. Changes Change in star rating Count of schools +4 1 +3 +2 6 +1+2 6 +1
No change 10 -1 -2
Total 24
Median change in ASPI score = points
ASPI score increased for 22 of 24 alternative schools subject to modified model

19. Photo credit: Brian Laurent
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