Regional Administrators’ Meeting MDE Instructional Updates

1. Regional Administrators’ MeetingMDE Instructional Updates Kim S. Benton, Ed.D. Interim Deputy State Superintendent

2. Did you know……

3. Hot Topics to Discuss • Literacy Based Promotion Act • High School Assessment Options • Early Exit Diploma Option • Questions and Answers 3

4. Literacy-Based Promotion Act Implementation 4

5. 3rd Grade ELA Assessment Results 2013 5

6. 3rd Grade ELA Assessment Results 2013 Percentage of Students Scoring Proficientor Above KEY: N-IEP - Students without a disability IEP - Students with disabilities B - Black W – White A- Asian H- Hispanic NA – Native American LEP – Limited English Proficient Mig - Migrant EcDis – Economically Disadvantages N-EcDis - Not Economically Disadvantaged 6

7. What Inferences Can We Make from the Data on the Preceding Slides? 7

8. 10,488 4,801 8

9. Targeted Schools • 39 schools in 27 districts • Literacy Coaches • Conduct Professional Development • Model and Co-teach Lessons • Analyze Data • Submit Monthly Literacy Coach Reports • State Directors • Participate in Learning Walks • Conduct Site Visits • Recruit Literacy Coaches • Provide, Approve, and Determine Professional Development 9

10. On-Site Professional Development (September 2013) 10

11. Recruitment of Literacy Coaches • September Recruitment • 24 completed portfolio applications • Cover letter of interest • Resume’ • Two signed letters of reference • Presentation addressing the components of literacy • Example of teaching and/or coaching artifacts addressing the components of reading • 6 part-time coaches and 1 full-time coach begin December 2, 2013 • 50 schools in 31 districts • 2014-2015 Recruitment • Begins January 2014 • Full-time and part-time 11

12. K-3 Literacy Professional Development System (LETRS) 12

13. Cohort Training Model • Cohort 1 – 4,000 educators (literacy coaches, K-3 teachers, IHL faculty, administrators) • December 2013 – June 2014 • Phase 1 ( online coursework + 3 face-to-face PD days) • January – February 2014 • Phase 2 (online coursework + 3 face-to-face PD days) • March – April 2014 • Phase 3 (required follow-up online professional development modules) • May – June 2014 • Certification of Completion (CEUs and SEMIs offered) 13

14. Training Participants • MDE Literacy Coaches • IHL Faculty • Targeted Schools/Districts • All K-3 teachers • Educator in Residence (EIR) Districts • All K-3 teachers • Remaining School Districts • Ten (10) representatives per district 14

15. K-3 Assessment System • Recommendation to the State Board in December • Selection of Third Grade Summative Assessment • Selection of Universal Screening Assessments for targeted schools • Selection of Statewide Kindergarten Readiness Assessment 15

16. Public Awareness Campaign • Regional Meetings for Targeted Schools • Encourage Parent Awareness Meetings • 2013-2014 Schools are required to provide parent notification of the law through School / District Handbook Addendums • America-Reads Mississippi (ARM) • Regional Literacy Coordinators conducted regional tutor trainings in the five components of reading for ARM tutors in K-3 classrooms • ARM tutors are located in 42 schools across the state, 10 of which are MDE target schools. • New Literacy Web Page • Technical Assistance/ Implementation Guide (release pending) 16

17. Contact Information Office of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Kymyona Burk – State Literacy Director kymyona.burk@mde.k12.ms.us Dr. Tenette Smith – Assistant State Literacy Director tenette.smith@mde.k12.ms.us 17

18. Proposed Mississippi Graduation Assessment Options 18

19. Proposed Mississippi Graduation Assessment Options Purpose • Outline proposed options for students to meet the existing graduation assessment requirements • Revisions to the existing high school graduation requirements are twofold: 1. to affirm the importance of other existing academic measures which indicate a student’s readiness for entry into college or the work force 2. to maintain a rigorous standard for students to meet in order to earn a high school diploma 19 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

20. Meaningful High School Diploma To be meaningful, a high school diploma should indicate that students are: • Prepared to enter credit-bearing courses in postsecondary education institutions • Prepared academically to enter military service • Prepared to be productive entry-level employees in the workforce 20 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

21. Process for Identifying Graduation Options • An extensive review was conducted by examining graduation requirements across the nation. • Consideration was given to making logical connections to the proposed Mississippi School Accountability Model. • A key criterion in the selection of options was the extent to which the option enables students to demonstrate college and career readiness. • Graduation Options are currently out for APA. Comments will be used to make modifications for consideration by the State Board. 21 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

22. Proposed Mississippi Graduation Assessment Options • It is not assumed that the approved options provide information or scores that are interchangeable with the state assessments. • The intent of these options is to provide evidence from widely accepted measures that students have met a minimum standard for entry into college or the work force. • After failing to pass a subject area exam, a student may demonstrate graduation readiness through successful completion of one of the proposed options. 22 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

23. Proposed High School ModelEach category has 100 possible points(percentage of students) Math 50% R/E 50% Y1 15-16 Y2 16-17 Y3 17-18 23 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

24. Proposed Mississippi Graduation Assessment Options 24 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

25. ACT ACTcut scores represent the minimum accepted level of performance for admission to an IHL in Mississippi. A 16 may require remediation at the postsecondary level. Further, students who earn an ACT score of 15 are eligible to receive the MTAG scholarship 25 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

26. Dual Credit Dual CreditStudents must earn a “C” or higher in an entry level credit-bearing dual credit college course with the following prefix: • For Algebra I – MAT • For Biology I – BIO • For English II – ENG • For U.S. History – HIS 26 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

27. International Baccalaureate (IB) International Baccalaureate (IB)Assessment scores range from 1-7. The MDE initially recommended a minimum score of 3; however the Accreditation Commission approved a score of 2 or higher. 27 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

28. Advanced Placement (AP) Advanced Placement (AP) assessment scores of 2 or higher indicate a student has skills necessary for college level work (Source: College Board). MDE initially recommended a minimum score of 3; however the Accreditation Commission approved a score of 2 or higher. 28 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

29. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) AFQT An Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) cut score of 50 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) indicates a student has met the requirements of the armed services to enter officer training program. The Accreditation Commission recommended an alternate score. 29 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

30. ASVAB Plus CPAS2 or Industry Certification • A cut score of 36 on the ASVAB indicates a student has met requirements of the armed services for enlisted personnel to enter 4 of the 5 branches • Attainment of set scores on the Mississippi Career and Planning Assessment System 2 (MS-CPAS2) demonstrates career readiness in a career and technical field of study • A passing score on a MDE approved industry certification indicates a student has demonstrated career readiness in a career and technical field of study 30 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

31. Workkeys Plus CPAS2 or Industry Certification • ACT WorkKeys: • Indicates a student has met the requirements for entry-level employment, • Provides a job skills assessment system that measures foundational skills such as applied mathematics, and reading for information, and soft skills such as fit, talent, and performance • Serves as an entry assessment for teacher assistants in Mississippi 31 Pre-Decisional – Not Yet Approved

32. APA Deadline Proposed State Board of Education Policy 3804: Additional Assessment Options for Meeting End-of-Course Subject Area Test Graduation Requirements http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/public-notices/apa-process You may submit comments in writing by mail or e-mail accountability@mde.k12.ms.us, or they may be faxed to 601-359-1979 and received in the Office of Accreditation and Accountability no later than 5:00p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. 32

33. Early Exit Diploma Option 33

34. Early Exit Diploma Option • The Mississippi Early Exit Diploma was approved by the State Board of Education on August 16, 2013. • To offer this option to students, a district must establish a local graduation policy that follows the minimal requirements set forth by the State Board of Education. • Qualification for a Mississippi Early Exit Diploma signifies to students that they are ready to do college-level work without remediation. 34

35. Early Exit Benchmarks In order to qualify for the Mississippi Early Exit Diploma, students must meet fourspecific requirements. • Earn a minimum of 17.5 Carnegie Units as specified by the State Board of Education • Meet college and career qualification scores in all core content areas on a series of end-of-course exams • Meet the required benchmarks for college readiness on the ACT or Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) approved college entrance exam • Complete the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) requirements of the receiving postsecondary institution 35

36. Carnegie Units Graduation Requirements 36

37. Qualification Scores 37

38. Early Exit Diploma Option Complete the required College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) which includes 15 ½ Carnegie Units with a 3.2 GPA in the CPC required courses. Details are included in Appendix C-1 of the Mississippi Public School Accreditation Standards, 2012. 38

39. Mississippi Principal Evaluation (MPES) • MPES Reminders and Updates • The MPES is a research-based instrument to evaluate principal effectiveness • MPES’s Goal: To achieve a higher level of academic success for every student • MPES: • Five conferences between superintendent and principal • Four deadlines for submission • Identifies areas of strength and challenge, and • Helps track educational progress to improve the performance of student achievement.

40. MPES Components 4 goals  • 1 - Language Arts Goal         25%  • 1 - Mathematics Goal          25% • 2 - Organizational Goals       20% • Circle Survey                            30% ESEA Flexibility Waiver • What does this waiver do for schools? • Allows districts to postpone making personnel decisions based upon the evaluation until the 2016-17 school year • The waiver does NOT postpone educator evaluation implementation. Schools must still implement the educator evaluation systems following the state’s approved timeline.

41. Goals Training Bringing it all together: The Goals Implementation Process to Support Schoolwide Plans, M-STAR, and MPES     Training Dates • October 29-30: Meridian • October  31- November 1: Ellisville •  November 7-8: Greenville • November 14-15: Oxford • November 21-22: Jackson • December 5-6: Gulfport Tentative additional trainings  • Feb 6-7 : Natchez  • March 5-6: Tupelo  • March 25-26 : Gulfport

42. ESEA Flexibility Request • Mississippi’s approved ESEA Flexibility Request provides waivers through the end of the 2013-2014 school year. As part of the Request, Mississippi assured implementation of four principles: • College- and Career-Ready Standards and Assessments • Differentiated Recognition, Accountability, and Support • Educator Effectiveness • Reduced Burdensome Paperwork

43. ESEA Flexibility Request • In order to continue implementing the approved Request for the 2014-2015 school year, and to continue waiving the more burdensome provisions of No Child Left Behind, Mississippi must submit a one-year extension by February 28, 2014. • Please help the MDE strengthen the renewal by providing input on the ESEA Renewal Survey at http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/federal-programs/the-esea-flexibility-waiver.

44. Additional MDE Updates 44

45. Contact Information Kim S. Benton, Ed.D. Interim Deputy State Superintendent kbenton@mde.k12.ms.us 601.359.3077 Jean Massey, Associate State Superintendent Office of Career and Technical Education jmassey@mde.k12.ms.us 601.359.3048 Debbie Murphy, Bureau Manager Office of Federal Programs and Principal Evaluation dmurphy@mde.k12.ms.us 601.359.3499 45