PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION March 2005 SBE Issues Session: Exit Standards Sarah McManus Marvin Pittman Jackie Colbert Lou Fabrizio Wandra Polk 1

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Discussion Items The Framework and Development of Details Regional Meetings Online Survey Results R 3 Committee Feedback Next Steps 2

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION The Framework and Development of Details Sarah McManus 3

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Current High School Graduation Requirements & Exit Standards Students must meet the following requirements: 1.attain passing scores on competency tests adopted by the SBE per GS §115C and administered by the LEA; 2.successfully complete 20 course units in grades (22 course units for Occupational Course of Study); 3.successfully complete one of the following four courses of study: Career Preparation, College Technical Preparation, College/University Preparation, or Occupational Course of Study; and 4.demonstrate computer proficiency 4

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION The Framework for the New Exit Standards At the October 2004 State Board of Education meeting, the board approved the framework of using performance on the five required end-of-course (EOC) assessments and a senior project. 5

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION NCDPI Internal Committee Division of School Improvement Division of Instructional Services Division of Accountability Services Division of Communications and Information 6

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Input from Advisory Groups Exceptional Children Directors and Coordinators Limited English Proficiency Coordinators Parents Teachers Principals Superintendents Test Coordinators 7

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION The Details of the Framework Special considerations for students enrolled in the Occupational Course of Study Meeting the senior project requirement (which can include service-based learning or work-based learning experience) Special considerations for students transferring into North Carolina public schools Meeting the EOC assessment requirement involving the five required end-of-course assessments Remediation opportunities and retesting opportunities A review process 8

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Special Considerations for Students Enrolled in the Occupational Course of Study Students following the Occupational Course of Study are required to meet rigorous exit standards as outlined in State Board of Education policy HSP-N-004 (16 NCAC 6D.0503). The NCDPI recommends that the new exit standards will only apply to students following the Career Preparation, College Technical Preparation, or College/University Preparation courses of study. 9

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Meeting the Senior Project Component One component of the new high school exit standards Performance-based component developed, monitored, and scored locally using state adopted rubrics Can include service-based learning or work- based learning experiences LEAs may have some flexibility to incorporate senior project requirements already in place 10

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Special Considerations for Students Transferring into North Carolina Public Schools Transfer Students and Senior Project Proposal: All students, including transfers, must complete the senior project. However, special consideration must be given to transfer students arriving in the second semester of the senior year. If a student transfers in the second semester of the senior year, the LEA should adjust the scope of the project based on the time available to the student to complete the project. The senior project can include information or material previously used by the student in another state or private school. 11

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Meeting the End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments Component Pass/Fail Weighting Compensatory Model Based on input from advisory committees, the Weighting and Compensatory Model approaches were eliminated. The NCDPI explored several approaches. 12

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Meeting the End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments Component Proposal 1: Students should be required to pass all five required EOC assessments (Algebra I, Biology, English I, Civics & Economics, and U.S. History). 13

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Meeting the End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments Component Proposal 2: Students should be required to pass at least four out of five required EOC assessments (Algebra I, Biology, English I, Civics & Economics, and U.S. History). 14

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION General Overview of the Proposed Retesting and Review Process: 1. The student takes the regularly scheduled end- of-course assessment. 2. If a student passes the course and fails the assessment, the student is administered a retest within a reasonable time from the receipt of test results. 3. If the student does not pass the retest, the student receives focused intervention/remediation (tutorial sessions, extended school day, Saturday school, summer school instruction, etc.). 15

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Proposed Retesting and Review Process (continued): 4. The second retest occurs. 5. If the student does not pass the second retest, documentation of the student's performance in the EOC course is placed on file. 6. The student's documentation is reviewed by an external review committee to determine if the exit standards have been met. 7. The principal makes the final decision for meeting the exit standards. 16

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Retesting Opportunities to Meet the New Standards Retesting Proposal 1: Consistent with the current retesting opportunities for end- of-grade assessments at grades 3, 5, and 8, students should be given a maximum of two retest opportunities. The second retest opportunity must be preceded by focused intervention/remediation. 17

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Retesting Opportunities to Meet the New Standards Retesting Proposal 2: Consistent with the current retesting opportunities for the competency and computer skills assessments, students should be given at least one retest opportunity per year. Each retest opportunity must be preceded by focused intervention/remediation. 18

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Exit Standards Review Process Review Process Proposal 1: On a course- by-course basis, if a student does not meet the passing criteria for the EOC assessment but passes the course, the review of the students documentation begins after the second retest. 19

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Exit Standards Review Process Review Process Proposal 2: If a student does not pass an EOC assessment but passes the course, interim reviews will take place throughout the students high school experience and a final review of documentation related to all the EOC assessments that were not passed occurs in the senior year. 20

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Special Considerations for Students Transferring into North Carolina Public Schools Transfer Students and EOC Proposal: If a student transfers into a North Carolina public high school and the principal awards the student credit for a course associated with one of the five required end-of-course assessments, the student would not need to meet the EOC assessment requirement for that course. 21

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Input and Media Sessions Jackie Colbert Marvin Pittman 22

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Input Sessions Six sites: approximately 400 participants; 64 LEAs represented Gaston County Jackson County Guilford County Wake County Bertie County Cumberland County 23

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Summary of Comments Schools currently using senior projects are very positive about the benefits but wonder how State standards will impact what is already in place in LEAs. 24

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Participants were concerned that senior projects would become an unfunded mandate. Some schools/LEAs are concerned about recruiting and retaining highly-qualified teachers and the impact this would have on exit standards. 25

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION A number of questions were raised and comments shared about exit standards: Will there be funding for this? Will there be intervention plans for students who fail? How does this fit Leandro? What is the time line for senior projects? How will the current stress and demands on AP students be addressed with the addition of another requirement? 26

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION How will this affect the dropout rate? What considerations will be given limited English proficient students and students with disabilities? Can writing be added as one of the required tests? Can students begin the senior project prior to the senior year ? Questions/Comments (continued) 27

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Are elementary and middle school students being adequately prepared for high school? How do we ensure consistency in senior projects across the state? It is important to have parental involvement if the projects are to be successful. Separate the senior project from English IV. Questions/Comments (continued) 28

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Questions/Comments (continued) Ensure that students in all school systems have the opportunity to succeed. Include an appeals process. 29

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Media Representation Approximately 20 media representatives attended the media briefing and/or input sessions. Newspapers, television stations and one radio station were represented. 30

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION High School Exit Standards Online Survey Results Wandra Polk 31

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Online Survey December 7, 2004 – January 24, ,209 Respondents 32

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Parents/Guardians/Community Members Teachers/Instructional Staff School Administrators Central Office/NCDPI Superintendents Survey Results: By Respondent 33

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION High School Exit Standards Survey Part I: Meeting the End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments and Senior Project Components: Proposal 1: Students should be required to pass all five required EOC assessments (Algebra I, Biology, English I, Civics & Economics, and U.S. History) and the senior project. The senior project will be developed, monitored, and scored at the local level using rubrics developed or endorsed by the NCDPI. Proposal 2: Students should be required to pass at least four out of five required EOC assessments (Algebra I, Biology, English I, Civics & Economics, and U.S. History) and the senior project. The senior project will be developed, monitored, and scored at the local level using rubrics developed or endorsed by the NCDPI. 34

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION High School Exit Standards Survey EOC Assessments and Senior Project Results: ProposalTotal of ResponsesPercent % % No Preference % Total

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Part II: Retesting and Review Process for students who do not pass the first administration of the EOC assessment.| Retesting Proposal 1: Consistent with the current retesting opportunities for end-of-grade assessments at grades 3, 5, and 8, students should be given a maximum of two retest opportunities. The second retest opportunity must be preceded by focused intervention/remediation. Retesting Proposal 2: Consistent with the current retesting opportunities for the competency and computer skills assessments, students should be given at least one retest opportunity per year. Each retest opportunity must be preceded by focused intervention/remediation. High School Exit Standards Proposals Survey 36

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION High School Exit Standards Survey ProposalTotal of ResponsesPercent % % No Preference % Total2209 Retesting Proposal Results: 37

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Review Process: Review Process Proposal 1: On a course-by-course basis, if a student does not meet the passing criteria for the EOC assessment but passes the course, the review of the students documentation begins after the second retest. Review Process Proposal 2: If a student does not pass an EOC assessment but passes the course, interim reviews will take place throughout the students high school experience and a final review of documentation related to all the EOC assessments that were not passed occurs in the senior year. High School Exit Standards Proposals Survey 38

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION High School Exit Standards Survey Review Process Results: ProposalTotal of ResponsesPercent % % No Preference % Total

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Next Steps Lou Fabrizio 40

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Next Steps Implementing these new exit standards would require changes to State Board of Education policy HSP-N-004 (16 NCAC 6D.0503) regarding state graduation requirements and GS §115C (b) regarding the use of competency tests must be amended. 41

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SBE/DPI meets with legislative leadership on proposed exit standards Use legislative report on exit exams as vehicle Return to SBE with implementation plan; particularly for the Senior Project Next Steps 42

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION G.S. §115C-12(9b) called for exit exam(s) General Assembly suspended development pending report on compliance with NCLB SB 1115, SL : Exit Exam The Board shall not adopt any revisions prior to reporting them…to the [Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee (JLEOC)]. Next Steps 43

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Report on Exit Exam must include US Department of Education approval of using Algebra I, and English I and grade 10 Writing, for AYP determinations at the high school level. Next Steps 44

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION Questions? 45