2. Fall District Test Coordinators Meeting Alexandria, LA November, 2005

3. BESE Approved Requests for Waivers October, 2005

4. High School Diplomas for Displaced Students  For 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, BESE will allow students who were displaced to earn a Louisiana high school diploma, if they: Earn the 23 required Carnegie units (or the equivalent) Pass the Louisiana GEE  The Department is setting up procedures to notify students of this option  We will work with officials in other states and the affected districts to evaluate student records, provide the GEE, and send their diplomas.

5. Instructional Time  Policy and statute require 177 days of instruction (which may be converted to 63,720 minutes)  BESE granted authority to Superintendent Picard to approve revised school calendars for 2005-2006.  That authority is contingent upon legislative approval (R.S. 17:154.1)  Districts are revising calendars now and are being advised to make up as many days as possible.

6. Class Size  BESE granted authority to the Superintendent to approve waivers of the maximum class size, up to the following: LA 4 and other early childhood programs: 11:1 student to adult ratio (was 10:1.) Grades K-3, up to 28 students per class (was 26 students per class) Grades 4-12, up to 35 students per class (was 33 students per class)  This waiver is contingent on suspension of Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:151, 17:174, and 17:24.10, which stipulate maximum class size requirements.

7. High Stakes Testing  Policy requires students to pass LEAP to be promoted to 5 th or 9 th grade.  BESE waived this policy, for one year, for all Louisiana 4 th and 8 th graders Decision is deferred to local school districts. Some districts are implementing a modified high- stakes policy  Seniors must still pass GEE English and Math, along with Science or Social Studies Multiple testing opportunities are provided

8. Louisiana Teacher Assistance and Assessment Program  Current policy requires all new teachers to complete the two-year program, beginning with their first year. BESE is allowing flexibility regarding the implementation timeline with the option of full implementation, partially delayed implementation, or a full delay of implementation. On a case-by-case basis, special exclusions will be considered for those teachers who have experienced significant hardship and/or displacement.

9. LA Principal Induction Program  Policy requires all newly appointed principals and assistant principals to participate.  In districts with significant impact, districts may fully participate, partially delay participation, or fully delay participation.  In other districts, deadlines have been extended and orientation meetings are being modified.  On a case-by-case basis, special exclusions will be considered for administrators who are being temporarily assigned to “temporary schools” – that is, schools designated specifically for displaced students.

10. Policy Waivers Requested from USDE and USDE Response  Offer Supplemental Education Services (SES) in place of School Choice Under discussion.  Reading First Reallocation Under discussion.  Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) “Displaced” subgroup allowed by USDE.  Highly Qualified Teachers One-year extension under discussion.  Limited English Proficient Under discussion.  Homeless Education Placement No authority to waive.  Participation in NAEP 2006 (National NAEP) Participation in national NAEP is a state option.

11. Charter Schools  BESE allowed the International School of Louisiana (a Type 2 charter) to temporarily relocate for the remainder of 2005-06.  Relative to Type 1 and Type 3 Charter Schools, BESE requested that the Governor temporarily suspend (through Executive Order) timelines spelled out in the charter school law in order to allow the implementation of locally approved charters.  Regarding Type 4 Charter Schools, BESE requested that the Governor temporarily suspend (through Executive Order): timelines spelled out in the charter school law in order to allow the implementation of LEA-sponsored charters the requirements that prior to a preexisting public school being converted into a Type 4 charter school, it shall be approved by the professional faculty and staff of the preexisting school and approved by the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the school. The Board authorized staff to submit a request to the United States Department of Education for additional federal charter school grant funds, up to $20 million, to assist new and existing charter schools with hurricane-related expenses.

12. Spring 2006 Testing  GEE (Grades 10 and 11)  LEAP (Grades 4 and 8)  iLEAP -- Grades 3, 5, 6, 7: four subjects -- Grade 9: English language arts and math Note: calculators on different day

13. Option 2 (8.5) Students in 2006  Take LEAP in the 8 th grade subject failed  Take iLEAP in the 8 th grade subject passed  For example, a current 8.5 student who failed 8 th grade math, and passed 8 th grade ELA would take: 8 th grade LEAP Math 9 th grade iLEAP ELA

14. Special Populations Assessment  LAA 1 (Grades 3–11)  LAA 2 Grades 4, 8, 10 – ELA & Math Grade 11 – Science & Social Studies Other grades will be tested next year. FAQ will be posted soon.  ELDA (Grades K–12) DRC will handle test administration. Grade cluster: K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12

15. NAEP 2006  NAEP 2006 is National NAEP 30 schools selected for sample LA has requested a waiver of NAEP for this year (2005-2006)  NAEP 2005 Exclusion Issue Students who participate in LEAP/iLEAP should participate in NAEP

16. Field Testing 2006  GEE field testing will occur only for Grade 10 (ELA and Math), and Grade 11 (Science and Social Studies)  Item development continues for 4 and 8

17. Practice Tests  Practice Tests (Grades 4, 8, 10, and 11) November 29 th delivery date Based on 2004-2005 counts Grade 4 written compositions can be mailed in.  Additional Copies for Displaced Students Call DRC for additional copies

18. GEE Testing Requirements for Diploma Endorsements  GEE testing requirement for Academic and Career/Technical Endorsement One additional retest is allowed for students who have already met the passing requirement but who have not met the endorsement requirement Typically, October retest For 2005-2006, February retest

19. Out-of-State Seniors and Louisiana Graduation  Requirements 23 Carnegie units GEE (ELA, Math, and S or SS)  Procedures for out-of-state students  LA diploma is allowed.