2. Phase 2 Recommendations

3. Recommendation 1  Increase the Graduation Requirements Require a 4 th year of math for all students Highest level of math attainment-strongest predictor of BA attainment Well-paying jobs that earn living wage and allow for career advancement require math, problem solving and reasoning skills

4. Recommendation 2  Implement LA Core Curriculum to better prepare students for college and/or careers Connects curriculum to admissions to most colleges Coursework qualifies students for TOPS Tech/TOPS Opportunity 4 years of math, science, social studies/social sciences and English Flexibility to allow students to earn IBCs Coursework in LA Core required for entry to LA 4- year colleges

5. Recommendation 2 (cont’d)  LA Core Curriculum Require all students to enroll in LA Core beginning with 9 th grade class of 2008-09 Students may “opt out” of LA Core After completion of Grade 10 Must have parental/guardian permission Must have valid reason Expand LA Virtual School

6. Recommendation 3  Strengthen Louisiana’s Career and Technical Endorsement Align Career and Technical Endorsement with TOPS Opportunity (See Handout)

7. Recommendation 4  Implement End-of-Course Tests to Improve Rigor and Consistency of HS Courses Replace GEE with EOC Tests aligned with LA’s Comprehensive Curriculum More reflective of the curriculum taught Help improve the consistency and rigor of courses across the state Tests begin with Algebra I in 2007-2008 Tests begin to “count” with 9 th Grade Class of 2009-10

8. Recommendation 4 (Cont’d)  Implement End-of-Course Tests To graduate, student must have “verified credit” in English and Math and either Science or Social Studies A credit is verified when student passes EOC test State will offer at least 2 EOC tests in each of the core subject areas All students must pass Algebra I EOC Test Students will have multiple opportunities to pass

9. Recommendation 4 (Cont’d)  Implement End-of-Course Tests Three performance levels Fail Pass (upper range of “Approaching Basic”) High Pass (upper range of “Mastery” or standard required by Higher Ed for placement/credit purposes) EOC test results must be included in student’s course grade with BESE setting minimum %age Accountability Commission to recommend how to integrate EOC tests into HS Accountability, beginning with 9 th grade class of 2009-10

10. End-of-Course Tests Implementation Schedule Year2007-082008-092009-102010-11 Course Algebra I Geometry English II Phy. Science Civics Algebra I Geometry English II Phy. Science English III Biology Algebra I Geometry English II Phy. Science English III Biology Am. History *Bold indicates the initial year of the EOC Test.

11. Recommendation 4 (Cont’d)  Implement End-of-Course Tests Funds Needed for Implementation Test Development and Administration Teacher/Student Supports On-line tutoring – begin with Math Professional development for teachers On-line summer institutes – begin with Math Technology funds for High Schools Support on-line EOC Tests, distance learning, video conferencing and smart classrooms

12. Recommendation 5  Modify the Graduation Index Encourage more Dual Enrollment and Articulated Credits Encourage more IBCs Encourage more AP Coursework

13. Commission Recommendation: Graduation Index Student ResultPoints Academic Endorsement OR Career/Technical Endorsement 180 TOPS Opportunity Award160 BESE Approved Industry Based Certification OR TOPS Tech and Dual Enrollment OR TOPS Tech and Articulated Credit 140 Regular HS Diploma120 GED90 Skills Certificate/Certificate of Achievement60 Attender30 Dropout0

14. Recommendation 6  Support Dropout Prevention and Recovery 9 th Grade Initiative $5 million 8(g) over 3 years Target 40-50 High Schools/9 th grade focus Credit recovery/remediation Target 9 th graders who are falling behind Other Programmatic Efforts Literacy and Math Catch Up Curriculum Lighthouse Schools

15. Questions