Credit Flexibility—A Pathway to Graduation: Test Out Development and Implementation Thomas D. Rutan, Ohio Department of Education Ryan Wertz, Ohio Department of Education Mike Morbitzer, English Department Hamilton Local School District Jodi Palmer and Mike Schafer, Physical Education Upper Arlington City School District March 29, 2011

Web Conference Logistics To cut down on background noise, your phones have been placed on mute. This Web conference is being recorded, and an archive of the event will be available on the ODE website. During the Q&A segment, participants have the opportunity to verbally ask a question by clicking on the “Raise Hand” button, or questions can be submitted at anytime through the Chat Pod.

Objectives Understand the Test Out option for credit flexibility Understand the implications and components of the assessment instrument(s) Find assistance and examples from the field with Test Out options

Contact Information Tom Rutan Associate Director Curriculum and Instruction Phone: (614) Ohio Department of Education 25 South Front Street Columbus, OH, education.ohio.gov

General Credit Flexibility Overview and Information

SB 311 (Ohio Core) Permits students to meet core coursework requirements in four ways:  Traditional  Integrated  Applied  Career-technical Sets guidelines for credit flexibility

What Is Credit Flexibility? Earn credit through seat time or demonstration of subject area competency Allows for both advanced work and credit recovery Pertains only to high school credit No limit to kind of course work or number of credits

What Is Credit Flexibility? Entered on the student transcript in the same way as traditional credit  Note: NCAA requires credits earned in non- traditional ways to be designated on transcripts of potential Div. I athletes Credits can be mixed  Example: ½ credit in two different subjects

Credit Flexibility Examples Traditional coursework  Distance/online learning  After-school program Educational Options  Educational travel  Independent study  Internship  Community service

Credit Flexibility Examples Career-tech blend  Program credit  Academic credit Test-out Post-Secondary Enrollment Options/Dual Enrollment Credit recovery

Benefits of Credit Flex Creates more learning choices. Focuses on performance and achievement, not seat time. Acknowledges different learning styles, paces, and interests.

Benefits of Credit Flex Promotes integration of different subjects. Recognizes importance of student engagement and ownership. Matches pacing to learning capacity:  Acceleration  Needed time for mastery

Test-Out Development and Implementation

Test-Out Considerations What are the knowledge and skills expected from the course? To what extent does the test measure:  Content covered in the course  Depth and breadth of knowledge and skills expected from the course Do the test questions proportionately match the content covered?

Test-Out Considerations How many measures are needed to reflect the scope, depth, and breadth of the course?  When should the assessments be taken?  What types of assessments should they be? How will the grade for the test-out be determined? Can commercial tests be used?

Test-Out Considerations Districts are required to have test-out options. Students may earn credits through any of the following (or a combination of):  Completion of traditional courses  Testing out or otherwise demonstrating mastery of the course content  Pursuit of one or more “educational options”

Test-Out Considerations Can students use an Advanced Placement (AP) exam to test out of a class?  Yes. If a score of 3, 4, or 5 is earned, it can be entered on the student transcript as an AP course.  The test must be administered in May when all other AP exams are given nationwide.

Test-Out Considerations Can students use an AP exam to test out of a class?  The results of the test will not be made available until July.  The school must still determine the “grade” earned.  If a college accepts AP test scores as a replacement for college courses, it may count as dual credit.

Who Administers? Local governing authority policies govern. Teachers of Record determine the award of credit.

Local Plan Requirements Students may earn credit through any of the following (or a combination of):  Completion of courses  Testing out, or another demonstration of mastery of course content  Pursuit of one or more “educational options”

Guest Presenters

Ryan Wertz World Languages Consultant Ohio Department of Education 25 South Front Street Columbus, OH education.ohio.gov

Michael Morbitzer English Instructor English Department Chairperson High School Standards Coordinator Career and Community Service Project (CCSP) Coordinator Hamilton Township High School local.k12.oh.us

Jodi Palmer Girls Athletic Director UAHS K-12 Wellness Teacher Leader Student Activities Coordinator UAHS Upper Arlington City Schools Michael Schaefer Boys Athletic Director Wellness Department Head Physical Education & Health Teacher Assistant Head Coach Varsity Football Upper Arlington High School

Questions During the question-and-answer segments, you have the option to verbally ask a question –or–you may submit a question or comment through the Chat Pod. To verbally ask a question, click on the “Raise Hand” icon in the lower left-hand corner of the screen to let the facilitator know you have a question.

Web Conference Series Next Steps Archive, transcript, PowerPoint presentation, and Q&A document will be available online. Participants will receive a brief online survey following the Web conference. Credit flexibility Web conferences are currently scheduled through early May.  The next Web conference is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12, at 1:30 p.m. EST.

Thank you for participating in today’s Web conference.