1. January 2016 Regents Examinations at APW JSHS

2. Which examinations are being offered to APW JSHS students in Jan? 13 Regents Examinations – Global History and Geography – ELA CC – Geometry – Living Environment – Chemistry – RCT’s in US History and Global Studies – Comprehensive English – US History and Government – Earth Science – Geometry CC – Algebra 1 CC – Algebra 2/Trigonometry – Integrated Algebra (Special Administration in February)

3. Who is taking them? All current juniors and a select group of 10 th graders (90 or better avg. in first quarter ELA) are taking the ELA CC examination. Ninth graders taking Algebra were offered the opportunity to take the Algebra CC examination if they are currently in the course. We have approximately 3 ninth grade students challenging the examination. Students in Trigonometry (approximately 17 students) are taking the Algebra 2/Trigonometry Regents. 35 Students with Special Education testing accommodations are taking exams with a total of 75 examinations given with accommodations. We have three groups of students taking Regents examinations: – Students who need to meet their graduation requirement of passing gatekeeper examination (retakes). – Students who wish to raise their previous grade in aspiration of a score of 85% or higher increasing their likelihood to receive advanced designation or honors Regents diplomas (aspirational). – Students who have the ability to score an 85% or higher in a course they are currently in to earn credit earlier than expected and to open up their schedule later in their HS career for more rigorous course work such as AP and college courses(challenge). Approximately 300 total exams will be given over the course of the week.

4. How have we prepared our students? Students who previously failed a gatekeeper exam were placed in Skills classes this fall with an emphasis on successful completion of the examination. Review sessions began in December for all gatekeeper exams except US History. They are being taught by certified teachers from our staff. Review sessions for the gatekeeper exams are hosted in our Distance Learning this week and streamed through CiTi Guidance counselors met with every student eligible and every student required to take an examination. Confirmation was sent home to parents via a letter.

5. How are we ensuring success of the January Regents administration? Communication with parents – “Save the date” letter home in December and another detailed letter home this week including transportation, food service and CiTi BOCES programming information. – Website – frequent updating with Regents schedule and review. – Regents confirmation form sent home for parent signature in November/December Communication with students – Meeting with guidance counselors – Teachers share information – Frequent announcements (over PA and on monitors) – Website – Posted information throughout the school – Special Education staff are already notifying students with accommodations of their test sites, proctors and where necessary, usernames and passwords for testing accommodations. – We’ll be posting testing site information this week – designating a bulletin board in the school used solely for testing information for students. Communication with staff – Staff have been notified of their proctoring and scoring duties already – All parent communication has been routed to staff so that they are equally aware of updates being sent home – Staff meeting updates from Mrs. Crisafulli since late November – January 20 th staff meeting designated for training by Mrs. Crisafulli of new systems including accommodations, exam handling procedures, NYSED administration and scoring rules – Inclusion of Special Education staff in decision making about proctors, grouping of students, location assignments Interdepartmental communication – Food Service, Buildings and Grounds, Transportation and JSHS Administration has collaborated for several weeks to work out systems and procedures that support a positive testing environment for all students that week.