CTAE End-of-Pathway Assessment: Student Credentialing Opportunities Mamie Hanson

1. CTAE End-of-PathwayAssessment: Student Credentialing Opportunities Mamie Hanson State CTAE Assessment Coordinator (404) 657-6279 mhanson@doe.k12.ga.us

2. Georgia’s End-of-Pathway Assessment Process • Initiated in response to Perkins IV Legislation • Core Indicator 2S1: Technical Skill Attainment • Mandates states to measure technical skill attainment using industry validated standards

3. Georgia’s End-of-Pathway Assessment Process • Use data from measurements to demonstrate student achievement and foster program improvement • Report test data based on student demographics

4. Perkins IV LegislationCore Indicator 2S1 Measures must be “valid and reliableand include at a minimum challenging academic standardsand attainment of skill proficiencies, including achievement on technical assessments that are aligned with industry recognized standards.” [b.2.A] Section 113: Accountability(Secondary Indicators-Core Indicator 2S1)

5. Identification Activities • Convened program area specialists & other Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) • Researched and evaluated existing national assessments • Identified over 60 credentialing exams for pathway completers offered through 25 vendors

6. Credentialing Opportunities • Over 60 credentialing opportunities • Credentials: • a document attesting to the trust of certain stated facts • certification • certificate • high school diploma • licensure • 4-year degree

7. Georgia’s End-of-Pathway Inventory Listing

8. FY2011 End-of-Pathway Assessment Activities • Includes assessing all CTAE students: • Who have successfully completed the three or four designated courses in the pathway, OR students • Who are enrolled in the last designated course (and on track) • Where an assessment has been identified

9. End-of-Pathway AssessmentInventory Manual • Provided to CTAE Administrators • Complete Inventory Listing • Assessment Information Sheets & Blueprints • Funding Request Document • Student Demographic Reporting Document

10. FY2010 & FY2011 Testing Activities • During the FY2010 school year • Tested approximately 700 students • 29 participating systems • 40 high schools • Based on documentation submitted by LEAs: • Over 6,000 students will be tested • December 2010 – June 2011 testing window

11. Assessment Information Sheet • designated courses • credentialing exam • testing agency • exam blueprint • exam cost • duration of exam • number of questions • test ordering information • proctoring guidelines • testing format • software specifications • test availability • testing agency contact

12. Types of Credentialing Exams • Credentialing Exams: • Several credentialing options • Requires a series of exams • Offers a series, but requires taking and passing only one • Pre-requites for some exams: • Requires student participation in accredited programs • Age requirement for some healthcare science pathways

13. Assessment Blueprints • Blueprints • serves as foundation of development • includes competencies tested; weighted; number of questions; duration of exam • Provided hard copies in manuals • Provided electronically through links on CTAE Website as of September 1st

14. Exam Costs • Exam Costs: • Range between $10 - $336 per student • Lower costs on occupational assessments • Higher costs on stipulated industry certifications

15. Exam Specifications • Number of Questions: • Typically 50 - 60 • Can range up to 250 – 300 • Duration of Exam: • Ranges 1 hour – 3 hours • Allows multiple testing sessions • Not timed, allow 50 - 60 minutes • Cut-Score: • 70% average pass rate • May not be published by testing agency

16. Test Ordering Information • Ordering Information: • Before ordering exams, many testing agencies may require: • Schools to establish locations as testing sites by: • completing a testing agreement form and other forms of documentation • creating a user account • verifying a secure testing environment • signing a proctor’s agreement form or oath

17. Administering Exams • Proctoring Guidelines: • Most agencies allow any professional staff member to serve as proctor: • testing coordinator • administrator • media specialist • administrative assistant • Agencies typicallydo not allow instructor of students tested to serve as proctors • Check proctoring guidelines links

18. Testing Format • Testing Format: • On-line testing • Helps alleviate some security concerns • Provides quicker results to students & administrators • Limited number of paper & pencils exams listed

19. On-Line Testing Requirements • Computer Specifications: • Minimum hardware and software specifications required by testing agency • Test Availability: • Most exams available year-round • Some exams offered during a specific time-frame NOTE: Check assessment information sheets

20. Testing Agency Contacts • Administrative contact: • Credentialing information • Testing agency policies • Technical support contact: • Issues with on-line testing • Other technical inquiries

21. CTAE Assessment Funding Support for Student Testing • To assist systems with EOPA expenses: • Funding will be provided to support student testing • Funding request documents were due in August 31st • Seeking State Board of Education (SBOE) Approval in November for requested funding • Funding amounts will be placed in GAORS by mid-December

22. FY2011 CTAE Assessment Funding Request Document

23. FY2011 CTAE Assessment Funding Request Document

24. PERKINSplus Reserve Grant Funds • Available to systems to assist with preparing students to take end-of-pathway assessments • Deadline for submission: September 15th • Maximum amount: $7,500 per application • Can not be used to pay for student exams

25. Reporting FY2011 Test Data:Student Demographics • Reported at the end of school year (June 2011) • Data Requested: • System Name • System Code • Number Tested • Number Passed • Number Failed • Demographic Breakdown • Female/Male • Ethnicity: • African-American • American Indian • Asian • Caucasian • Hispanic • Pacific Islander

26. Reporting FY2011 Test Data:Student Demographics