1. Update on the Implementation of a Vertical Scale as a Measure of Growth
Virginia Board of Education’s
Committee on School and Division Accountability
April 23, 2019

2. Current Use of Progress Tables in Combined Rate for Accountability Calculations for Reading and Mathematics
Integrates achievement, growth, and progress for EL students towards gaining proficiency in reading.
A student will be counted in the numerator of the reading or mathematics combined rate if:
The student passes the assessment*; or
The student does not pass the assessment but demonstrates growth using the progress tables; or
For the reading assessment only, the student does not pass the assessment or demonstrate growth, but is an EL and demonstrates progress as measured by the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 assessment.
*Includes recovery

3. Progress Tables

4. Current SOL Scale
Scores on each SOL test are currently reported on a scale that is specific to that test.

5. Progress Tables
In the Progress Tables student growth is determined by comparing the student’s scaled score in the current year to his/her scaled score from the test taken in the previous year.
To facilitate the measurement of student growth, each of the performance levels used for the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in reading and mathematics, Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced, is divided in half to create two sub-levels.
The resulting sub-levels are: Low Below Basic, High Below Basic, Low Basic, High Basic, Low Proficient, High Proficient, Low Advanced, and High Advanced.

6. Current Performance Sub-Levels for Reading
Virginia Reading SOL Sub-Level Cut Scores
Grade
Below Basic
Basic
Proficient
Advanced
Low
High 3
0-280 4
0-277 5
0-270 6
0-291 7 8
0-293
The interpolated cuts for sub-performance levels were calculated based on the standard setting forms from the most recent standard setting year.
Each performance category has a cut sub-performance level cut score that divides Low and High

7. Current Performance Sub-levels for Mathematics
Virginia Mathematics SOL Cut Scores
Test Level
Fail/Below Basic
Fail/Basic
Proficient
Advanced
Low
High 3
0-305 4
0-310 5
0-312 6
0-331 7
0-303 8
0-323
This table lists the specific performance sublevel cuts for each performance level in grades 3 through 8 mathematics and Algebra I.
Test
Level
Fail
Proficient
Advanced
Low
High
Algebra I
0-375

8. Determination of Student Growth Using Progress Tables
Student progress is measured by whether a student who failed the reading and/or mathematics SOL test the previous year has moved at least one sub-level based on the current year’s data.
For example, a student whose score on the grade 3 reading test in was “high below basic” has moved one sub-level if their score on the grade 4 reading test in was “low basic.”

9. Progress Table Examples

10. Vertical Scale

11. Vertical Scale Example
A vertical scale allows for the reporting of scores across SOL tests and can be used to measure student growth along the scale.

12. Vertical Scale Characteristics
Growth is based on comparing a student’s performance to his/her own previous performance.
Expectations for growth can be defined so that the teacher and student know what is needed at the beginning of the year.
More sensitive measure than progress tables.
Understandable and transparent.

13. Current Status
In spring 2016 a study was conducted to “link” the content of the reading tests for grades 3-8 and the mathematics tests for grade 3 – Algebra I together so that a vertical scale could be created.
In spring 2018 an additional linking study was conducted to address the change in the mathematics SOL adopted by the Board in 2016.

14. Timeline for Implementation of Vertical Scales
Mathematics
Reading

15. Transitioning from Progress Tables to Vertical Scale for Mathematics in 2018-2019
will serve as a transition year for the measurement of growth in mathematics.
Progress tables will be used to measure growth for mathematics for the last time.
will be the baseline year for the vertical scale.

16. Growth in Mathematics: 2017-2018 to 2018-2019
New SOL mathematics tests administered in
Scores from the mathematics test will be mapped onto the scale used for the tests to facilitate measurement of growth.
Resulting scaled score will be called a “transitional scale score.” Used to measure growth in mathematics from to only.

17. Growth Measure for Mathematics: 2018-2019 to 2019-2020 and Beyond
Vertical scale scores for will serve as the first data point in measuring growth in mathematics for and beyond.
Progress tables will no longer be used in mathematics after

18. Implementation of Vertical Scale for Reading
Same process as mathematics but a year later.
Progress tables used to measure growth for reading through
Vertical scale used for growth in to and beyond.

19. Questions?