1. From the Director DTC Training Spring 2011 1 Assessments, Accountability & Information Management

2. WorkKeys 2 As of November 2010 WorkKeys officially became a part of the Assessment Unit. 1. Amended WorkKeys Regulations – public comment closed on February 16, 2011. 4 AAC 06.717 will impact 2011-12 2. Amended Regulations for curriculum 4AAC 06.715 benchmarking grades 6 and 8 are optional

3. ELP Assessment New contract with World-Class Instructional and Design Assessment (WIDA) supported by the University of Wisconsin-Madisons Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER). 1. WIDA is a consortium of states dedicated to the design and implementation of high standards and equitable educational opportunities for English language learners. 2. The assessment is called ACCESS 3. First testing of LEP students spring 2012 4. WIDA standards will be out for public comment in March 2011 3

4. College and Career Ready Standards Alaskas standards review will include consideration of the new nationwide Common Core State Standards in reading, writing and math for each grade from kindergarten to 12. 1. October 2010, with stakeholder input the department completed an alignment of the final version of the Common Core Standards to the GLEs. 2. November 2010, the department brought together K-12 educators, postsecondary educators, and industry representatives to determine what standards are needed for students to be college- and career-ready. 3. January and February 2011, the department brought together elementary school, middle school and high school teachers to identified the necessary transitions in terms of professional development and instruction to increase the rigor of Alaskas standards. 4. March 2011, the department expects to have a recommendation and transition plan for the State Board of Education & Early Development. 5. Fall 2012, the department expects to have new standards in reading, writing, and math for grades 3-12. 6. Spring 2015, the department expects to assess the new standards. 4

5. Legislative Action 5 Senate Bill 10 repeals HSGQE (no effective date suggested) 1. Similar Bill Last Year (SB 109) Moved out of Senate Education Committee Moved out of Community and Regional Affairs Committee Was heard in Senate Finance Committee – Died there 2. State Board Will be conversation at March Meeting 3. National Trends 28 states have current or planned exit exam policies

6. Legislative Action House Bill 5: Statewide History of American Constitutionalism 1. Statewide curriculum and examination standards at all grade levels 2. Test students' understanding of the history of American constitutionalism as portrayed in Declaration of Independence, First state constitutions, Articles Confederation, Constitution of the United States, Federalist Papers, Bill of Rights, and other historical documents 3. A student may not be issued a secondary school diploma unless the student passes a competency examination in the areas of reading, English, history of American Constitutionalism, and math 6

7. Annual Yearly Progress NCLB requires 100% proficient by 2014 Percentages are increasing each year to reach 100% in 2014 7 School Year Annual Measurable Objective for Language Arts Annual Measurable Objective for Mathematics 2009-1077.1866.09 2010-1182.8874.57 2011-1288.5883.05 2012-1394.2891.53 2013-14100

8. Graduation Rate Goals & Targets A four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate targeting 85% Uniform method of calculating graduation rates across the states Starting 2010-11 documented in report cards (include subgroups) and AYP (exclude subgroups) Improvement targets proposed: 2.0% 4 Yr Cohort, 3.0% 5 Yr Cohort (verbal approval only from USED) Change in Methodology Identify first year freshman and work forward New calculation will compare previous calculation for 2.0% and 3.0% Subgroups Starting 2011-12 subgroups will be calculated for AYP (required) 8

9. Security Breach at the Department Alaska law requires government agencies that collect personal information to notify persons involved if their information is lost or stolen. The Department of Education and Early Development collects and maintains a variety of personal information pertaining to Alaskas public school students. The Department experienced a recent theft of electronic equipment. This theft has unfortunately resulted in the release of some personal information to an unauthorized third party. The information taken included all spring 2010 testing data. If you have any questions, you are invited to contact Erik McCormick directly at 907-465-8686 9