Innovative Learning Opportunities for Students in Arkansas

1. Revised October 20, 2014 Learning Services UpdateFall 2014 Debbie Jones, Assistant Commissioner Stacy Smith, Director Curriculum & Instruction Hope Allen, Director Assessment Arkansas Department of Education

2. Revised October 20, 2014 Learning Services Division Organizational Chart

3. Revised October 20, 2014 Digital Learning • Act 1280-provided for expansion of digital learning opportunities for kids • Blended- instruction in the classroom complimented with online instruction • Online Instruction- instruction & content are delivered online • Approved Provider Courses

4. Revised October 20, 2014 4.04 “Highly Qualified Teacher” means a teacher who holds at least a Bachelor’s Degree and has demonstrated subject area competence in each of the core academic subjects in which the teacher teaches. A highly qualified teacher that delivers digital learning courses under these rules is not required to be licensed as a teacher or administrator by the State Board of Education. Note: Federal laws or regulations may require teachers in certain subject areas to hold a teaching license (e.g., special education teachers who teach core academic subjects). Core Subjects requiring license include: English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science,foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, geography.

6. Revised October 20, 2014 Virtual Arkansas • Core • Alternative Education • Career & Technical • Concurrent Credit • Content only • Home-Grown http://virtualarkansas.org/ Cathi Swan, State Coordinator of K12 Distance Learning

7. Revised October 20, 2014 Virtual Arkansas • Follow iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Courses • 20,000 registered students & 1,900 on waiting list • All courses are ADE approved • Arkansas certified teachers • 2 days/week minimum face to face instruction http://virtualarkansas.org/ Cathi Swan, State Coordinator of K12 Distance Learning

8. Revised October 20, 2014 Schools of Innovation Innovation not Evasion Application Due: March 1, 2015 Application

9. Revised October 20, 2014 Schools of Innovation 2014-2015 Schools of Innovation Posted Goals & Performance Targets • Reduce achievement gap • Increase student participation in curriculum options • College and career readiness • Motivating students by exploring innovative teaching & learning • Transform a school’s culture • Better prepared students for success in life and career • Innovative practices

10. Revised October 20, 2014 Assessment Update What to Plan for in 2014-2015 Hope Allen, Director of Assessment

11. Revised October 20, 2014 Assessments for 2014-2015

12. Revised October 20, 2014 Science • There are no changes in science. • Students will be tested in grades 5, 7 and for Biology with the Augmented Benchmark and End-of-Course Exams. • Students who qualify will complete science-only portfolios in grades 5, 7 & 10.

13. Revised October 20, 2014 Major Changes for 2014-2015 • The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests align to the CCSS • All 3-10 students that do not qualify for NCSC • The National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC) alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities align to the CCSS • Only about 1% of students

14. Revised October 20, 2014 PARCC Assessments • Required • ELA/Literacy at grades 3 – 10 • Math at grades 3 - 8 • End-of-Course • Algebra I • Geometry • District Choice • Grade 11 ELA • Algebra II Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers

15. Revised October 20, 2014 PARCC Updates • Administration of Grade 11 ELA/Literacy and/or Algebra II is optional per the ADE. • Districts may decide to administer one or both assessments • See Commissioner’s Memo LS-15-027 • Students in grade 8 or below enrolled in Algebra I/Geometry/Algebra II will take only the end-of-course assessment. • Change in ELA/Literacy test design at Grades 3 – 5 has reduced the EOY to ONE unit.

16. Revised October 20, 2014 Math Portfolio • The 9th grade math portfolio will no longer be used • Students who have significant cognitive disabilities will be assessed for math in high school in 11th grade with NCSC. • Students who do not have significant cognitive disabilities will take a PARCC high school math assessment… …even if they are in a special education class.

17. Revised October 20, 2014 Changes for Students with Disabilities in High School Math • Students with disabilities can take one, two or three of the PARCC EOC math assessments, as determined by their IEP team. • Only required to take one PARCC EOC math assessment in high school. • Students must receive a full year of instruction in the course that will be assessed. • Algebra 1 is a pre-requisite to Geometry.

18. Revised October 20, 2014 PARCC Assessment Design Summative Assessments Performance-Based Assessment + End-of-Year Assessment • After 75 percent of the school year • Extended tasks, applications of concepts and skills • ELA/Literacy: Writing effectively when analyzing text, research simulation • Math: Solving multi-step problems requiring abstract reasoning, precision, perseverance and strategic use of tools • All grades and courses • After 90 percent of the school year • Innovative, short-answer items • ELA/Literacy: Reading comprehension • Math: Short items that address both concepts and skills • All grades and courses All students take both components for a final PARCC score

19. Revised October 20, 2014 Scheduling PARCC - Unit Times

20. Revised October 20, 2014 Fall Block • PBA Window • December 1 – December 19 • EOY Window • December 15 – January 16 • Schools must schedule all assessments on 10 consecutive days within each window • All tests will be paper based • Schedules submitted to ADE

21. Revised October 20, 2014 Spring • PBA Window • March 9 – April 10 • EOY Window • April 27 – May 22 • Computer Based • Schools can set assessment schedule within the windows • Paper Based • Assessment schedule will be provided by ADE

22. Revised October 20, 2014 Scheduling PARCC • May schedule a grade cohort anywhere within the window • Grade cohort (or course) must test same unit/session in the same day • At the same time • Back-to-back • Morning and afternoon • Make up testing must be completed within the window

23. Revised October 20, 2014 Preparing for PARCC • Practice Tests • Classroom Instruction • Revise all LPAC, IEP and 504 plans • There are changes in the accommodations PARCC will allow • Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual will be released October 29th

24. Revised October 20, 2014 PARCC Accessibility Policies Built into the test Available to All Students • Example: magnification, highlighting, eliminate answer choices, line reader Available to All Students Must be turned on in Advance Example: answer masking, text-to-speech for mathematics, background/font color Available through LPAC/IEP/504 Must be identified in Advance Example: Word to word dictionary, small group testing, extended time

25. Revised October 20, 2014 Features for All • Are operational for all students during Computer Based Testing • Students should determine whether they wish to use the feature on an item-by-item basis • Cannot be turned off • Do not require IEP/504/LPAC

26. Revised October 20, 2014 Accessibility Features for All Students Built in Tools Other Audio Amplification Blank Paper General Administration Directions Clarified General Administration Directions Read Aloud and Repeated as Needed Headphones or Noise Buffers Redirect Students to the Test • Eliminate Answer Choices • Flag Items for Review • Highlight • Line Reader • Magnifications/Enlargement Device • NotePad • Pop-up Glossary • Spell Checker • Writing Tools • Math Tools

27. Revised October 20, 2014 PARCC Accessibility

28. Revised October 20, 2014 Accessibility Features • Are operational for identified students during Computer Based Testing • Students should determine whether they wish to use the feature on an item-by-item basis • Must be indicated in the Personal Needs Profile (PNP) • Turned on prior to testing • Training forthcoming this fall • Do not require IEP/504/LPAC

29. Revised October 20, 2014 Accessibility Features Identified in Advance • Answer Masking • Background/Font Color (Color Contrast) • General Masking • Text-to-Speech for the Mathematics Assessments • Headphone will be needed

30. Revised October 20, 2014 Accommodations • Are available for identified students during Computer and Paper Based Testing • Do require IEP/504/LPAC • It is advised to update all IEP/504/LPAC plans to reflect the PARCC wording of accommodations • Must be documented prior to testing

31. Revised October 20, 2014 English Language Learners • Extended Time • Word-to-Word Dictionary • Scribe or Speech-to-Text: Responses Dictated for Mathematics Assessment in English • General Administration Directions Read Aloud and Repeated as Needed in Student’s Native Language (by test administrator) • General Administration Directions Clarified in Student’s Native Language (by test administrator)

32. Revised October 20, 2014 Special Education • Extended Time • Word prediction on the ELA/Literacy PBA • Scribing or Speech-to-Text for constructed response on ELA/Literacy, mathematics and selected response ELA/Literacy • Calculation Device and Mathematics Tools on Non-Calculator session • Braille Test and/or Note-taker • Additional Assistive Technology • ASL Video for Mathematics and Test Directions • Closed Captioning • Descriptive Video • Paper-and- Pencil Edition • Tactile Graphics • Text-to-Speech or Video of Human Interpreter for ELA/Literacy

33. Revised October 20, 2014 PARCC Accessibility • School personnel must be familiar with the available features well in advance of testing • Students must have the opportunity to use the features available to all before operational testing • Administer tutorial and practice tests • http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#

34. Revised October 20, 2014 Administrative Considerations • Principal’s discretion • Must be documented prior to testing • Do not require IEP/504/LPAC • Small group testing • Frequent breaks • Time of day • Separate or alternate location • Specified area or seating • Adaptive and specialized equipment or furniture

35. Revised October 20, 2014 PARCC Resources Assessment information • http://www.parcconline.org • https://www.pearsonaccess.com (select PARCC) Accessibility and Accommodations Manual and Appendices*: • http://www.parcconline.org/parcc-accessibility-features-and-accommodations-manual *the appendices are separate documents and contain vital information for planning New version coming in Fall 2015

36. Revised October 20, 2014 Upcoming Trainings • PARCC Administration Procedures Training • November 6 – 21 • 9 sites around the state from ADE • Pearson Regional Training • November 3rd • Benton Event Center • 9:00am - 3:00pm • Accommodations Training • Early November • Webinar from ADE Dates will be sent to District Testing Coordinators

37. Revised October 20, 2014

38. Revised October 20, 2014 NCSC* Alternate Assessment • For students with significant cognitive disabilities • An alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards • Will replace the Alternate Portfolio in Literacy and Math • A student’s IEP team will determine if this assessment is appropriate to administer using the NCSC Participation Guidelines • If NCSC is not appropriate the student will take the PARCC Assessment NCSC* is pronounced like “nick-sick”

39. Revised October 20, 2014 NCSC Alternate Assessment • Math and ELA testing • Grades 3 – 8 • Grade 11 • Administered online • Approximately 1.5 - 2 hoursper content area

40. Revised October 20, 2014 NCSC Big shifts • Online test administration • HS math testing at grade 11 • no math portfolio at grade 9 • Resource math class does not determine the math assessment • NCSC – most significant cognitive disabilities ~ 1% • PARCC – resource students not qualifying for NCSC • Refer to Commissioner’s Memos LS-14-076 and LS-14-065 for updated course code and assessment information

41. Revised October 20, 2014 Assessment Contacts • Hope Allen – Director • Hope.Allen@arkansas.gov • 501-682-5762 • Susan Gray – PARCC • Susan.Gray@arkansas.gov • 501-682-4559 • Charlotte Marvel - NCSC • Charlotte.Marvel@arkansas.gov • 501-682-5296

42. Revised October 20, 2014 Curriculum and Instruction Update

43. Revised October 20, 2014 Act 1294 Dyslexia The Arkansas State Legislature enacted Act 1294 of 2013, codified as A.C.A. § 6-41-601, Title 6, Subtitle 3, et al., to ensure that children with dyslexia have their needs met by the public school system.

44. Revised October 20, 2014 ACT 1294 Dyslexia • ADE Dyslexia Webpage The reality for schools: • Strong core reading programs • Response to Intervention • Early intervention for students with dyslexia. • Therapy for students with dyslexia K-12

45. Revised October 20, 2014 Universal Screening Who should be screened? According to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-41-603, a school district shall screen 1)  Each student in kindergarten through grade two (K-2); 2)  Kindergarten through grade 2 (K-2) students who transfer to a new school and have not been screened; 3)  Kindergarten through grade 2 (K-2) students who transfer from another state and cannot present documentation that the student has had similar screening; 4)  A student in grade three or higher experiencing difficulty, as noted by a classroom teacher. Universal Reading Readiness Fact Sheet

46. Revised October 20, 2014 Now What? Universal reading screener Tier I or II RTI What if the student makes insufficient progress? Based on instruction and data (teacher observations, progress monitoring, student work, etc.) Tier II or III RTI What if the student has characteristics of dyslexia? (Dyslexia Resource Guide Section II and Dyslexia Awareness Training) YES characteristics of dyslexia Level 2 Dyslexia Evaluation (This is NOT a diagnosis) Now What?

47. Dyslexia Therapist A.C.A. § 6-41-602 A professional who has completed training and obtained certification in dyslexia therapy from a dyslexia therapy training program approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. Timeline:By 2015-2016, school districts shall have individuals to serve as dyslexia interventionists as defined in the Dyslexia Resource Guide who are trained interventionists by the department or using other dyslexia training programs approved by the department (A.C.A. § 6-41-607). • Dyslexia Therapy Program and Therapist Fact Sheet

48. Revised October 20, 2014 Dyslexia Therapy • Dyslexia Therapy Program and Therapist Fact Sheet • A dyslexia therapist is defined in the law as a professional who has completed training and obtained certification in dyslexia therapy from a dyslexia therapist training program (A.C.A. § 6-41-602).

49. Three Approved Pathways • Temporary Approval • IDA and IMSLEC Certification • Program of Study Endorsement

50. Revised October 20, 2014 Approved Programs If the school district determines the following five (5) criteria are met within a dyslexia program, that program is considered approved and may be used for dyslexia. No application is required. • Training course is delivered by a certified trainer in the selected dyslexia program; • Training and program is systematic and research based; • Instruction is multisensory; • Provides small group instruction in the essential components of reading including phonemic awareness, graphophonemic knowledge, and structure of the English language, linguistic instruction and strategies for decoding, encoding word recognition, fluency and comprehension; and • The program is approved by another state department of education as an approved dyslexia program. If the program meets criteria 1-4 but is not recognized as an approved program by another state department of education, the district must submit the Dyslexia Program Approval Form to ADE.dyslexia@arkansas.gov. OR ADE approves dyslexia therapy programs that are nationally accredited by International Dyslexia Association (IDA) or International Multisensory Language Education Council (IMSLEC).