Changes To Florida’s School Grades Calculations Adopted By The State Board Of Education On February 28, 2012 Prepared by Research, Evaluation & Accountability April

2 1. Achievement Level Standards All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Used old Achievement Level cut scores for FCAT Reading and Math. Uses new Achievement Level cut scores for FCAT 2.0 Reading and Math and Algebra 1. (State Board adopted 12/19/11.)

3 2. Students With Disabilities (SWDs) In Performance All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Students with disabilities were included in Reading and Mathematics learning gains but not included in Reading, Mathematics, Writing, and Science performance components. Students with disabilities are included in Reading, Mathematics, Writing, and Science performance components in the same way as other students. FAA scores for SWDs who take this test will be used as well as FCAT/FCAT 2.0 scores and EOC assessments.*

4 3. English Language Learners (ELLs) In Performance All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades English language learners in their second year were included in Reading and Mathematics learning gains but not included in Reading, Mathematics, Writing, and Science performance components. English language learners in their second year are included in Reading, Mathematics, Writing, and Science performance components like other students.* * The State Board included SWDs and ELLs in the performance component as noted in 2 and 3 above. These changes are required for USED approval of Florida’s ESEA waiver request. However, the Board also directed the Commissioner to establish a task force within 30 days to develop implementation plans related to the inclusion of SWD and ELLs.

5 4. FCAT 2.0 Learning Gains For Students Remaining In Levels 1 Or 2 All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades To make learning gains, students who remained at level 1 or 2 on FCAT had to score at least one point beyond a year's expected growth. To make learning gains, students who remain at level 2 on FCAT 2.0 have to score at least one point beyond a year's expected growth. Students who remain at level 1 have to score at least two points beyond a year's expected growth.

6 5. FAA Learning Gains For Students Remaining In The Same Emergent Level (Levels 1, 2, Or 3) All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Students who remained at the same Emergent level (levels 1, 2, or 3) on the FAA had learning gains measured by comparing achievement levels. Students who remain at Emergent levels 1, 2, or 3 on the FAA can demonstrate learning gains by making a gain of 11 points.

7 6. FCAT Level 3 Students In The Low 25% All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades The low 25% included all students who were in the lowest 25% at each school (including Level 3 students). Remove Level 3 (satisfactory) students from the lowest 25%.

8 7. Retained Students At Levels 1 And 2 In The Low 25% All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Retained students could be excluded from the low 25% if their prior-year grouping by grade level did not provide for placement in quartiles (e.g. too few students to divide into quartiles). After the Low 25% is calculated, retained students at prior-year levels 1 and 2 will be added to the Low 25% group.

9 8. Weighting For Learning Gains To Levels 4 And 5 All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades No extra weight was given for learning gains to Levels 4 and 5. Add weight to learning gains for students moving into Levels 4 and 5 from lower levels (FCAT 2.0 and EOCs, as applicable).

10 9. Adequate Progress Requirement For The Low 25% All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Applied as in rule. Will not be applied in , for this year only.

Extra Weighting For Reading Through A Performance Threshold All Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Reading was not weighted more heavily; no reading threshold. No change for (Note: Beginning in , a reading performance threshold of 25% will be applied. Schools with less than 25% of students at Level 3 or above would be assigned a final grade that is one grade lower than the school would receive based on points.)

Use Of More Rigorous Assessment In Place Of FCAT 2.0 Middle Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades All students at each grade level were required to take the FCAT Mathematics assessment even if they were taking an EOC such as Algebra 1. Allows the use of EOC (Algebra 1 and Geometry) scores in the middle school math components of school grades. If a student has both an FCAT 2.0 Mathematics score and one or more EOC scores in a math subject, the higher/highest score is used. The legislature is considering a bill that would eliminate the requirement to double test students. For middle school students, the first EOC assessment score earned during the school year is used for performance and learning gains unless the student has a higher FCAT score. For percent-tested in math in middle school, the denominator will be all full year enrolled students; all middle-school students are expected to be tested each year in math.

Acceleration Component For Middle Schools (Participation And Performance) Middle Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Middle school grades did not include an acceleration component. In addition to using high school Mathematics EOCs in the performance component, Florida statute (s , F.S.) requires a new measure for participation in and performance on HS EOC assessments by students in middle school. The participation component is worth 50 points and the performance component is worth 50 points. The State Board voted to hold schools harmless from the provisions of the participation component of this measure in the school year. For the school year only, the grade assigned based on the new middle school points structure shall be used unless removing the points for accelerated participation would result in a higher grade. The higher grade shall be used for the school year.

Civics Component Middle Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Middle school grades did not include Civics. No change for (Note: Adds a component for Civics (100 points) in based on the percentage of students scoring at levels 3 or above.)

15 Revised Middle School Grading Scale for  For 2011 – 2012 through  900 Point Scale will be used  A = At least 590 points  B = 560 to 589 points  C = 490 to 559 points  D = 445 to 489 points  F = less than 445 points

End-Of-Course (EOC) Assessments High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades No EOC assessments were included in school grades. Includes Algebra 1 in performance and learning gains. (Note: Geometry will be added in for mathematics performance and learning gains. Biology will be added for Science performance in high schools in ) √ Sets a cell size of 10 for the EOCs similar to Science and Writing, which are also one grade level assessments. √ For high school students, the first EOC assessment score earned during high school is used for performance and learning gains. Other administrations of the same assessment are considered retakes and would be considered for bonus points based upon percent passing. √ For percent tested in mathematics in high school in , the denominator will include students with applicable Algebra course records in Surveys 2, 3, (as well as 1 and 4 from the most recent summer terms) and SWDs tested on the FAA in math.

Banking Of Middle School Satisfactory Performance On High School EOCs High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades No scores were banked. Bank scores for students who perform satisfactory on high school EOCs while in middle school to be used in high school grades. Banked scores will be used for the first time in the school grades.

Learning Gains For EOC Assessments High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Not applicable, as no EOC assessments were included. Applies achievement level comparisons as with FCAT 2.0 learning gains. For students remaining at Level 1 or 2, gains are made if the student increases their common scale score from the prior year to the current year.

Federal Uniform Cohort Graduation Rate (34 CFR ) High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Graduation rate used was the 4- year National Governors Association (NGA) rate (200 points for the overall rate and 100 points for the at risk rate). Uses a combined rate for both the overall graduation rate (200 points) and the at-risk rate (100 points). Half of the points for the overall and at-risk rates will be based on the 4- year federal rate. Half of the points for the overall and at-risk rates will be based on a 5- year adjusted federal rate that includes special diplomas.

At-risk Graduation Rate Target High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades The target for the at-risk graduation rate was 75%. The target for the at-risk graduation rate is revised to 65%.

Adjusting The Points Provided For Growth Or Decline High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades In the other 50% portion of the high school grades calculation, schools could earn up to 20 additional points for each measure that increases and could lose up to 5 points for each measure that decreases. Points for growth are limited to 10 points and points for decline stay at 5 points. Points are awarded in 5-point increments for growth. For example, no points would be awarded until a school’s measure increases by 5 or more points. There is no change in how points are deducted for declining measures.

Adjusting The High School Science Component For 2012 Only High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades The high school science component was based on the FCAT Science assessment. FCAT Science will not be administered in high school in 2012 and there are no achievement level standards set yet for the Biology 1 assessment. For only, Science will not be included in high school grades, and the points earned on the remaining 7 measures for performance and learning gains will be adjusted proportionately to an 800-point scale equivalent.

Adjust The Denominator For Accelerated Participation High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades All full-year enrolled students in grades 11 and 12 were counted in the denominator including SWDs who took the FAA. SWDs in grades 11 and 12 who took the FAA will not be included in the denominator for accelerated participation. By rule, the numerator will include all graders who participate in an advanced exam or dual enrollment course (regardless of outcome). By rule revision, any 9 th or 10 th grade students who are included in the numerator for participation will also be included in the denominator.

U.S. History Component High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades There was no component on history in the school grades model. No change for (Note: Add a component for U.S. History (100 points) in based on the percentage of students scoring at levels 3 or above.)

Re-weighting high school measures for accelerated participation and Performance High Schools School GradesChanges For School Grades Accelerated participation and performance will be weighted at 150 points each

26 School Grades Models For Elementary Schools New Components In The Model Are In Red Font

27 School Grades Models For Middle Schools New Components In The Model Are In Red Font

28 School Grades Models For High Schools New Components In The Model Are In Red Font

29 Angela Marino Director, Research, Evaluation and Accountability The School District Of Osceola County, Florida 817 Bill Beck Boulevard Kissimmee, FL