Preliminary Review of the 2012 Math SOL Results For internal use only Preliminary Review of the 2012 Math SOL Results Presentation by the Departments of Instruction and Information Services Administrative Council June 11, 2012

A New Trend Line in Student Achievement “Virginia's public schools are beginning a new trend line with the implementation of more challenging standards and assessments. The goal is to build on the progress already made under the Standards of Learning program and ensure that all graduates possess the knowledge and skills needed for success in college and the workplace.” - Dr. Patricia I. Wright Superintendent of Public Instruction For internal use only

How have the mathematics standards and tests changed? New content New rigor New test format

New Content With the state’s initiative to better prepare students for Algebra 1 by 8th grade, many of the standards have moved from higher grade levels to lower grade levels. New standards were also added. For internal use only Examples: Grade 3: grade level standards only tested, no longer cumulative (K-2), emphasis on fractions Grade 4: formerly 7th grade-investigate/describe associative property of addition and multiplication Grade 5: formerly 7th grade-investigate and recognize distributive property, order of operations Grade 6: addition of 8 formerly 7th grade standards, 6 new content standards related to algebra and geometry concepts Grade 7: significant levels of new content and increased rigor to prior standards (more multi-step problems) Algebra1: z-scores are new; emphasis on second semester concepts such as understanding quadratic and non-linear functions, solving multi-step two variable equations, Algebra 2: significant increase in rigor and substantial new standards related to probability and statistics, ex) analysis normal distribution curve and topics that were formerly in Math analysis trig.

New Rigor Multi-step problem solving Critical thinking and analytical skills Multiple representations

Technology Enhanced Items (TEI) about 15% Format of Questions: Fill in the blank Drag and drop Hot-spots: Select one or more answer options Placing points on coordinate planes Creation of graphs

Assessments – Then and Now Grade 7

Assessments – Then and Now Algebra 1

Preliminary 2012 SOL Data (2009 Standards): Details Based on results from spring administration through June 5, 2012 Unadjusted results (does not include AYP or SOA adjustments) Includes one test record per student, highest score for students who took test more than once Includes results from Plain English Math (8% of test-takers) and VMAST (< 1% of test-takers) but not VGLA or VAAP Does not include results from less than 1% of students tested against 2001 standards

2012 SOL Tests (2009 Standards): Preliminary Pass Rates by Test

2012 SOL Tests (2009 Standards): Preliminary Pass Rates for Elementary Schools Notes Lowest passing rates in grade 3 (now a grade 3 only test, rather than cumulative K-gr3) Passing rates under old standards 89-93% over last 3 years Show overall elementary pass rate as we begin to think about state and federal accountability --state accreditation standard is 70% --still don’t know outcome of VA’s flexibility waiver application; federal targets likely to be 88-90% unless they reset baseline based on new standards Elementary math SOL pass rates based on 2001 standards ranged from 89 to 93% in the last 3 years.

2012 SOL Tests (2009 Standards): Preliminary Pass Rates for Middle Schools Lowest pass rates for Grade 7 and 8 Math Pass rates still quite high for middle school students taking algebra and geometry Overall middle school pass rate below where we were last 3 years under 2001 standards (about 80%) With overall middle school pass rate of 74%, possible that some schools may not make state accreditation target of 70%. Schools and divisions will also be challenged to make a federal target in high 80s Middle school math SOL pass rates based on 2001 standards ranged from 80 to 81% in the last 3 years.

2012 SOL Tests (2009 Standards): Preliminary Pass Rates for High Schools Lowest pass ates for HS student stkaing algerba I Overall pass rate of 75% below where we were under previous standards about 88-89% last 3 years Concern that some subgroups may not make state accreditation target of 70% and definite concern about federal targets in high 80s. High school math SOL pass rates based on 2001 standards ranged from 88 to 89% in the last 3 years.

2012 SOL Tests (2009 Standards): Preliminary Algebra I Pass Rates by Level Given the interest in algebra I, looked at pass rates for those students taking algebra in middle school vs. high school. These pass rates were considerably higher years past under previous standards. Under 2001 standards, 2009-2011 Algebra I pass rates averaged 100% in middle schools and 96% in high schools.

2012 SOL Tests (2009 Standards): Preliminary Results by Test And infdally anoth rlook at pass ates across the differnce test levels This time we have included advanced as well as proficient pass rates. Pass rates for 2011 under previous standards are across the bottom. You can see that under the new standards much lower % of students scoring at the advanced level with exception of Grade 6 math 2011 Advanced: 69% 65% 74% 25% 40% 52% 35% 33% 27%

Preliminary Review of the 2012 Math SOL Results Presentation by the Departments of Instruction and Information Services Administrative Council June 11, 2012