1. and Out of State Transfer Waivers
CAA Options
and Out of State Transfer Waivers
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
School Counselor Summer Institute
June 27, 2013
Laurel Nanke

2. What this Presentation Will Cover
Assessment Graduation requirements for the classes of 2014 & 2015 to earn a CAA
What the CAA Options are and how a student becomes eligible to use them, including Direct Access
The Out of State Transfer Waiver, and how a student becomes eligible to use it

3. What is a CAA? A CAA is a Certificate of Academic Achievement.
To graduate with a CAA a student must earn it by either
Passing all WA high school assessments required for the student’s graduation year, OR
Meeting standard on one of the CAA Options
(if eligibility requirements are met)

4. Why CAA Options?
The CAA Options are alternate ways to meet the state assessment graduation requirements, other than by passing the state tests.
These options have been mandated by the Washington state legislature, their provisions are state law, and they are administered by OSPI.

5. Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements are specific to a student’s graduation year and class
The school year will be especially challenging to track graduation requirements because the class of 2014 (seniors) have one set of assessment requirements and the class of 2015 (juniors) have another

6. Class of 2014 Grad Requirements
The assessment graduation requirements for the class of 2014 are the same as they were for the class of 2013
Students must meet standard on the state assessments or an approved alternative for:
Reading HSPE, Writing HSPE; and
EITHER Math EOC 1, OR Math EOC 2
This is a total of 3 assessments

7. Class of 2015 Grad Requirements
The assessment graduation requirements for the class of 2015 are different, and more extensive than those for the class of 2014
Students must meet standard on the state assessments or an approved alternative for:
Reading HSPE, Writing HSPE; and
BOTH Math EOC 1, AND Math EOC 2; AND
Biology EOC
This is a total of 5 assessments

8. What are the CAA Options?
College Admission and AP Tests
ACT, SAT, and certain Advanced Placement tests
GPA Comparison
Collection of Evidence (COE)
(The Out of State Transfer Student Waiver and the Special, Unavoidable Circumstances Appeal process are also available, although not CAA Options. They will be covered later.)

9. Eligibility for CAA Options
Two gateways to eligibility
Students must be ELIGIBLE for the CAA Options in order to use them

10. Eligibility for CAA Options
To be eligible to earn a CAA by using one of the CAA Options, a student must either
Have taken the state assessment in that content area and generated a scale score, OR
Transfer into a Washington public school in the 11th or 12th grade from out of state or from an in-state home or private school, or have the assessment waived by NNEP status

11. A Note About NNEP Status
Non-Native English Proficiency (NNEP) students are waived from the requirement to take state NCLB assessments in Reading and Writing during the first year after they transfer into a WA school
However, this does not relieve them of the requirement that they meet standard on those tests, or an alternative, in order to graduate from high school

12. 1st Gateway to the CAA Options: After taking the State Assessment
A student must generate a scale score on the HSPE or EOC in a content area in order to be eligible for the CAA Options in that content area
This non-passing scale score makes the student eligible to use the CAA Options, and it automatically registers in the state databases

13. 2nd Gateway to the CAA Options: Direct Access
What is Direct Access to CAA Options?
It is eligibility to use the CAA Options without having to take the state assessment in that content area (HSPE or EOC) first.

14. Direct Access to CAA Options Who is eligible?
Students who transfer into a Washington public school in the 11th or 12th grade from
Out of state or country, or
In-state home or private school, and
Non-Native English Proficiency (NNEP) students in the 11th & 12th grades who were exempt from the 10th grade HSPE because the testing fell within their first year after transfer into the Washington public school system

15. Direct Access to CAA Options Direct Access Eligibility Procedures
Direct Access eligibility to use the CAA Options is NOT an automatic process.
The school must submit a Direct Access application online in the CAA Options database in EDS, and it must be approved by OSPI, before the student is actually eligible to use the CAA Options.
This applies to COE submissions as well as the other Options.

16. Direct Access to CAA Options Who is not eligible?
Students who transfer into a Washington public school in the 9th or 10th grade (even after the HSPE or EOCs has been administered) are NOT eligible and must take the HSPE and EOCs
Students who were in a Washington public school district in the 10th grade, and transfer to another public school district in the 11th grade are NOT eligible

17. Direct Access to CAA Options Who is not eligible?
8th, 9th, and 10th grade transfers into WA public schools are NOT ELIGIBILE to use the CAA Options, nor the Out of State Waivers.
With our state giving Math and Biology EOCs in the 8th and 9th grades, many schools are attempting to submit out of state EOC scores for students transferring in the 9th and 10th grades.
This is not allowed. State law specifically states that only 11th and 12 grade transfers are eligible.

18. Procedures to Obtain Direct Access to the CAA Options
The Direct Access online application form must be completed and submitted in the CAA Options application in the online EDS system. This must be done to register the student’s eligibility for Direct Access to the CAA Options.
If an Out of State Waiver application is submitted online for a student to obtain a waiver based on other state test results, that student automatically is also registered for Direct Access to the CAA Options.

19. Important Reminders about Submitting Direct Access
At the beginning of the school year the CEDARS system does not load information for newly enrolled transfer students until October 15th
Therefore, the student will not be in CEDARS or the CAA Options database until that date, and so the submission of Direct Access or Out of State Waiver applications cannot be made until then

20. Information on the Web
Link for the CAA Options page on the OSPI website
ns/default.aspx

21. The 3 CAA Options

22. Recap: The CAA Options College Admission and AP Tests
ACT, SAT, and certain Advanced Placement tests
GPA Comparison
Collection of Evidence (COE)

23. Changes to the CAA Options for 2013-2014
For the class of 2015 and beyond there will be CAA Options as alternative assessments for the content areas that are now graduation requirements
These content areas are
BOTH Math EOC 1 and Math EOC 1 (instead of just one or the other), and
Biology EOC

24. College Admission &
Advanced Placement Tests

25. College Admission and AP Tests
Allows a student’s ACT, SAT, or AP test scores to meet the reading, writing, and math high school graduation standards
Test scores may be earned before or after taking the HSPE or EOC
Scores can be sent to OSPI and banked until a HSPE or EOC score is generated

26. College Admission Tests
Scores that meet standard for CAA Options
SAT ACT
Reading
Writing
Math EOC
Math EOC
Biology None None

27. ACT Writing Score A Reminder!
Students must take the “ACT Plus Writing” test to generate a Writing score
The score is shown on the score report as “English/Writing”
The regular “ACT” test does not generate a Writing score equivalent to the HSPE Writing test

28. Changes to the College Test Option in Math for 2013-2014
The class of 2015 and beyond must meet at least the minimum scores below for the Math EOCs:
EOC 1: ACT – 16 SAT – 390
EOC 2: ACT – 17 SAT - 400
If a student scores at or above 17 or 400, BOTH EOC requirements have been met
If a student scores at 16 or 390, ONLY the EOC 1 requirement will have been met

29. Important Information about the College Test Option
There are no ACT or SAT tests as a CAA Option to the Biology EOC test
There are AP test Options, the GPA Comparison, and the Collection of Evidence as CAA Options to the Biology EOC test

30. Advanced Placement Tests Math & Biology EOC Alternatives
Students receive a CAA if they score at least a 3 on the grading scale of 1 to 5 on the following Advanced Placement tests:
For Mathematics, the Calculus or Statistics AP tests (either test meets both the EOC 1 and EOC 2 requirements)
For the Biology EOC test, the biology, chemistry, physics or environmental science AP tests

31. Advanced Placement Tests Reading and Writing HSPE Alternatives
Students receive a CAA if they score at least a 3 on the grading scale of 1 to 5 on the following Advanced Placement tests:
For writing, the English Language and Composition examination
For reading, the English Literature and Composition, World History, United States History, United States Government and Politics, Comparative Government and Politics, Psychology, Macroeconomics, or Microeconomics

32. College Admission & AP Tests
The school must submit a College Admission & AP Test application online in the CAA Options database in EDS, and it must be approved by OSPI
The score report from the SAT, ACT or AP Tests must be scanned and uploaded to the online form before it is submitted in the CAA Options
If a student is not eligible to use the CAA Options, the score will be put in “Banked” status

33. College Admission & AP Tests
The Score Verification form needs to be filled out entirely and legibly
The score verification form is on the web at ns/pubdocs/1632.pdf
More information regarding the College Tests: ns/Equivalency.aspx

34. GPA Comparison (Formerly WASL/Grades Comparison)

35. GPA Comparison
May be used for meeting the high school reading, writing and/or mathematics standard
Compares the applicant’s grades in applicable courses with the grades of students who took the same courses and met or exceeded the standard
Applicant’s grade point average is equal to or greater than the mean grade point average of the comparison cohort

36. GPA Comparison Eligibility
Student must be in the 12th grade
District student information system needs to show student as being a senior prior to running the tool
Student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher
Student must have taken the WASL or HSPE once, generated a score and not met standard
Student must have met any attendance and remediation requirements

37. GPA Comparison
A district representative or designee shall determine the comparison cohort and complete the calculation
Credits generated by the courses must equal two annual high school credits and must include the most recent courses taken
The application with the results of the calculation are then sent to OSPI for approval

38. GPA Comparison
If a cohort group cannot be established using the most recent classes, implement the following:
Progressively select earlier classes for a student until a cohort is established. Remember: same class, same year. This is the only way to build a cohort.
Begin by reviewing the junior and senior classes. If a cohort is not established, move on to include sophomore classes. If a cohort is not established, move on to the freshman classes.

39. GPA Comparison Changes for 2013-2014
Math GPA Comparison can be done separately for EOC 1, EOC 2, and Biology, using only one credit for that one course.
Reading and Writing GPA Comparisons will be done as they always have been.

40. Collection of Evidence (COE)

41. What is a COE?
The Collection of Evidence (COE) is a classroom-centered collection of student work that features examples of assignments that align with the state standards.
Contacts for the COE:
Lesley Klenk:
Amanda Mount:
Kim Andersen:

42. Collection of Evidence
For information about COE updates, documents, calendar and forms use the following link: Evidence.aspx OR

43. Out of State
Transfer Waivers

44. Out-of-State Transfer Waivers
Submitting the Transfer Student Options form can serve two purposes for a student:
It provides direct access to the CAA Options without having to generate a HSPE/EOC score (because it provides proof of transfer from out-of-state or an in-state non-public school setting).
It waives the HSPE/EOC requirement in a content area when accompanied by documentation that the student met standard on one of the 50 other U.S. state tests (including District of Columbia).

45. Out-of-State Transfer Waivers
IMPORTANT: The Out of State Waiver does NOT grant a CAA to a student. It only waives the HSPE/EOC requirement for graduation.
However, if the student submits the waiver form, and later meets the cut score on the COE or one of the other CAA Options, and submits that documentation, a CAA will be granted.

46. Out-of-State Transfer Waivers
Students who transfer into a Washington public school in the 11th or 12th grade are eligible to use their other state test scores to waive any or all three content areas of the HSPE/EOC, or to obtain direct access to CAA Options.
Students seeking a waiver must have met standard on the out-of-state test given in that state to meet graduation requirements or NCLB standards.

47. Out-of-State Transfer Waivers
Out of State Transfer Waivers are submitted online in the CAA Options database in the EDS system.
Only students who transfer into the Washington State public school system in the 11th or 12th grade are eligible to use the qualifying test scores from another state.
Even if a 9th or 10th grade transfer has passed an Algebra, Geometry, or Biology EOC exam in another state, he or she cannot use that score and must take the WA state assessments.
It is state law that only 11th and 12th grade transfers can use other state test scores, or be granted Direct Access to the CAA Options.

48. Out-of-State Transfer Waivers
The best documentation of meeting standard on another state’s test is either the student’s score report for the test or the out of state transcript that includes the student’s score or the statement “Passed” or “Met Standard.”
When in doubt as to whether a student’s score meets standard for that state, just submit the documentation and OSPI staff will review it, and if more information is needed, will contact you.

49. Out-of-State Transfer Waivers
The Guidelines and application form can be found at: Waiver.aspx
Contact: Laurel Nanke at (360) or

50. Special, Unavoidable
Circumstance Appeals

51. Special, Unavoidable Circumstance Appeals
Students, who have been unable to demonstrate their skills and knowledge on the high school WASL/HSPE or another assessment due to a special, unavoidable circumstance, may, during their 12th grade year, appeal to an OSPI- appointed review panel.
When submitting a special circumstances appeal it is best to provide documentation:
(1) detailing the student’s situation (i.e., medical information, absentee records, accommodation or IEP annotations, etc.)
(2) that highlights the student’s academic record (i.e., transcripts, other standardized test results, etc.)
With the academic evidence, submit only records from high school.

52. Special, Unavoidable Circumstances Appeals
Reasons a student may not have been able to sit for the WASL or other state-approved alternative, and may request an appeal:
Death of a parent
Unexpected and/or severe medical condition
Irregularity in the administration of an assessment
Loss of assessment material
Failure to receive a documented accommodation
Transfers from out-of-state after March 1 of senior year

53. Special, Unavoidable Circumstances Appeals
Deadlines for filing these appeals are May and October 1 of each calendar year
The guidelines and application form can be found at .aspx
Contact: Michael Middleton at or

54. Contact Information
Laurel Nanke at (360) or
Assessment at (360) or