ALTERNATE DIPLOMA OPTIONS

2. ALTERNATE DIPLOMA OPTIONS High School Redesign Commission June 11, 2008

3. LAA 2 • Louisiana’s criterion-referenced testing program for students with persistent academic disabilities • LAA 2 assessment comes directly from the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) • Format has been modified to make the test more accessible to students with disabilities • Fewer items per page • 2-point short answer items rather than 4-point short answer items

4. LAA 2 Achievement Levels • Basic • A student at this level has demonstrated only the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the next level of schooling • Approaching Basic • A student at this level has only partially demonstrated the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the next level of schooling • Foundational • A student at this level has not demonstrated the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the next level of schooling but has demonstrated the foundational knowledge and skills that can be built upon to access the grade-level curriculum • Pre-Foundational • A student at this level has not demonstrated the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the next level of schooling. However, the student may be developing the foundational knowledge and skills that can be built upon to access the grade-level curriculum.

5. How many students have taken LAA 2?

6. LAA 2 Students Scoring Proficient

7. HS Students taking LAA 2 and Scoring Basic or Approaching Basic

8. GEE Waivers • Criterion for granting GEE Waivers • Minimum of 23 Carnegie Units • Passed two of three required components of the GEE (ELA, Math, and either Science or Social Studies) • Exhausted all opportunities available through the Seniors Only retest • LDE on behalf of superintendent may waive the component not yet passed if it is determined that the student’s disability significantly impacted their ability to pass the GEE component

9. 2008 GEE Waivers Granted • 266 applied for • 208 granted • 48 denied • ≈ 400 received waiver since inception

10. LAA 2 Standard High School Diploma • Complete Carnegie Units • Score AB or higher on LAA 2 in required components • Pass 2 of the 3 required components of the LAA2 and be eligible to have part of the graduation requirement waived if documentation that the disability directly impacts the section not passed • Budget Impact; need retest • Could be implemented in 2008-2009 school year • Support this option

11. Certificate of Achievement • Currently available for students who are eligible for LEAP Level 1 (LAA1) • Support continuing to offer to students who are eligible, those with significant disabilities • 423 awarded in 2007

12. Consideration of GED for a Standard High School Diploma • GED Test • General Educational Development Test • Product of GEDTS, Inc. in Washington, DC • Consider a Standard High School Diploma • Written permission of the parent and/or student • Completion of required Carnegie units • Passage of the GED

13. GED for a Standard High School Diploma Specific components: • Must have failed at least one of the required components of the GEE • Must continue to take the GEE and all available retests through the senior year • Must attend classes the entire senior year and complete all coursework with passing grades, including GEE remedial classes. • Must attain a passing score on the GED

14. Issues for Consideration of the GED • Would require permission from GEDTS • Current policy doesn’t allow the GED Test to be given to students enrolled in K-12; only the 11 states with approved “Options” programs can administer the GED to high school students • We have requested permission and are awaiting their decision • The GED can not be used as a substitute for an exit exam according to GEDTS policy • The ability of students to benefit • Represents major and lasting outcomes of a 9th -12th education • Normed annually - 42% of graduating seniors do not pass

15. OCCUPATIONAL DIPLOMA • Alternative pathway to a standard high school diploma • Allows pursuit of general education course of study with a focus on occupational skills • Participation in statewide assessment • Emphasis on essential skills for employment

16. Occupational Diploma, cont. • Participate in GEE in 10th and 11th grade • If student fails GEE, it is an IEP decision to retake • Electives will focus on career pathways and transition • Participate in community-based training or document previous work experience

17. Occupational Diploma, cont. • Recognize rigor and relevancy are issues • Some areas have merit, such as linking occupational skills to curriculum • Leads to waiving the test • Needs further study • Not prepared to move forward at this time • Can’t place in same categories as first three

18. Existing and Planned Initiatives that Support Diploma Options • Literacy Strategies into every course of the revised Comprehensive Curriculum; Access Guide accommodations readily available for every teacher • Revision of Standards and GLEs; essential GLEs and a more extensive list of GLEs for every course; will include the identification of essential content and skills for employment • Expand Career and Technical Education including development of credit bearing courses that do not meet the more rigorous requirements of the new Perkins law • Support internship and or work opportunities