Maine Department of Education Informational Letters on Learning Results Implementation Issues May 12, 2004

Informational Letters on Learning Results Implementation Issues “Batch” distribution of informational letters on related topics designed to avoid “death by a thousand cuts” approach. Opportunities for deeper discussion will be provided at Commissioner’s Conference and at summer Curriculum Coordinator workshops. Each informational letter begins with “key points covered in this informational letter.”

Coming Attractions: Additional Updates Forthcoming Update and findings from the Local Assessment Implementation Study (LASIS) A guidance paper on establishing reliability in the Local Assessment System Detailed implementation plan for MEA Online for Detailed update on Department plan to review performance standards for the MEA and the GLE assessment.

Informational Letters on MLR Implementation Issues Learning Results Implementation Timelines (#117) Using the MEA in Local Assessment System (# 118) GLE Assessment Plan (Letter # 119) MEDMS Local Assessment System Module (#120) Learning Results Review Process (#121) MEA Administration Update (#122)

Learning Results Implementation Timelines ELA and mathematics graduation requirement delay until Now ELA, math, social studies, science, and health/ PE, will now be the basis for graduation in The Legislature did not, however, extend the timeline for Local Assessment System (LAS) completion. Specific expectations have been outlined on what superintendents should use as a basis for signing this year’s blue form. Superintendents will be able to request a waiver if minimal expectations have not been met.

Using the MEA in the Local Assessment System Policy Advisory Committee recommends method for using MEA scores in the Local Assessment System (LAS). Since the MEA has no replacement, it is recommended that the test score be used only if it helps a student’s overall achievement record. In order to achieve the proper balance of purposes, the MEA score count no less than 15% and no more than 20% of the overall LAS body of evidence.

GLE Assessment Plan GLEs in reading and math are posted on the Department website. The GLEs represent a subset of the MLR, which will result in a more compact assessment than the 4 th and 8 th grade MEA. The GLE assessment will be similar to the Measured Progress “Progress Toward Standards” (PTS) test. The GLE assessment will provide a national comparison score. The initial field test and pilot of the GLE assessment will take place in March 2005, but will not be used in AYP calculations until 2006.

MEDMS Local Assessment System Module The Department will soon release an RFP for the MEDMS local assessment system module. The MEDMS LAS module will be made available at little or no cost to the SAUs. MEDMS LAS will permit aggregation of statewide data in all five content areas required to be implemented this year. Local class data from SIS systems will be exportable to the MEDMS LAS module. Our current expectation is that MEDMS LAS will be delivered to SAUs by December 2004.

Learning Results Review Process Statute and rule require review process for Maine Learning Results to begin this year. Review process will include all eight content areas, content standards and performance indicators for each, but not the Guiding Principles. Review process will take 2-3 years and will then require action by the Maine Legislature prior to implementation of any revisions, which will not begin until at the earliest.

Learning Results Review Process (continued) Any changes to the standards will be phased in over a period of years to ensure fairness to students and to allow districts ample time to make modifications to curriculum, instruction and assessment. A Distinguished Educator and the Maine Learning Results Review Committee will guide review process.

MEA Administration Update MEA School and Student Reports will be released July 15, 2004 Local validation of MEA data will precede calculation of AYP status AYP status should be announced by August 15. MEA Test Dates are March 7 – 18, 2005 MEA Format Unchanged in th grade MEA Online Certification by May 28, th grade MEA Online to include writing, reading, mathematics and science in 2005

Department Contact Information Learning Results: LAS: MEA: MEDMS: Learning Results Review: GLE Assessment: