Assessment & Accountability: The Next Generation June 2007

2 Challenge Create high school accountability systems that more fully reflect the goal of college and work readiness for all students

3 What do current systems value? n “Proficiency” on tests measuring knowledge & skills students should learn by early in high school n Graduation rates n Other measures, such as attendance… n But college & work readiness rarely measured & valued

4 Only 10 States Hold High Schools Accountable for College/Work Readiness

5 What’s Needed? n Statewide assessments that measure college & work readiness n Additional performance measures beyond large scale, standardized tests n Accountability metrics that calculate and place greater value on college & work ready graduation rates n Incentives for schools to improve on these metrics n Supports & interventions for low performing students and schools

6 Questions to consider n What are most promising strategies for building college & work readiness assessments into state testing systems? n What other indicators are needed, beyond assessments? n How can states put the pieces together to create a coherent system of indicators and incentives? n How should new accountability systems be phased in? n What are the capacity & resource implications if the bar is raised for schools? n What relation, if any, should there be to federal accountability ratings?

Assessment & Accountability: The Next Generation June 2007

8 Getting Smarter & Creating a Roadmap

9 Assessments n What are most promising strategies for building college & work readiness assessments into state testing systems? n What other measures are needed beyond large scale assessments? l Performance based assessments? l Portfolios? l Senior projects? n Is there a need for more formative assessments? n What are state vs. local responsibilities?

10 Additional indicators n Percent of students successfully completing college/work prep curriculum n Percent of students earning college credit while in high school n College going & remediation rates n Percent of students earning industry recognized credentials n Graduation rates, including incentives for drop out recovery