Overview of Wyoming Accountability in Education Act (WAEA)

1. Wyoming Department of Education Overview of Wyoming Accountability in Education Act (WAEA) Julie Magee, Ph.D. Division Administrator Standards & Accountability

2. Goals of WAEA • WAEA established during 2011 legislative session (W.S. 21-2-204) with the following goals in mind: • Become a national education leader among states • Ensure all students graduate career or college ready • Recognize and increase student growth for all • Recognize student achievement and minimize gaps • Improve teacher and leader quality • Maximize efficiency of WY education • Increase credibility and support for WY schools

3. Indicators Defined • Indicators for Grades 3-8 • Achievement: performance in reading, math in grades 3-8 (PAWS); science in grades 4, 8 (PAWS); writing in grades 5, 7 (SAWS) • Growth: change in students’ achievement as they progress from year to year (grades 4-8); based on 2 consecutive years of state test scores; “academic peers” • Equity (measured by growth): grades 4-8 based on consolidated subgroup (students who were below proficient in math and/or reading in prior year); proficient within 3 years or by end of grade 8

4. Indicators Defined • Indicators for High Schools • Achievement: performance in reading, math, science, English/writing in grade 11 (ACT) • Readiness: consists of 4 sub-indicators (grad rate, scores on ACT assessments, grade 9 credits earned, Hathaway eligibility) • Equity (measured by Δ achievement gap): consolidated subgroup based on performance on Plan test in grade 10; equity score is measure of subgroup’s achievement level in reading/math at end of grade 11

5. Participation Rate • Participation rate is computed for all enrolled students and all enrolled students in consolidated subgroup • Minimum annual participation of 95% required in both student groups • Participation rate of 90-94.9% results in school performance being docked one level • Participation rate below 90% results in school performance rating of “not meeting expectations”

6. Ratings Defined • 2014 PLDs for Grades 3-8 • Exceeding Expectations: school exceeded targets on achievement and one additional performance indicator while meeting target on other indicator (equity or growth) • Meeting Expectations: school met or exceeded targets on multiple performance indicators • Partially Meeting Expectations: school performed below target on multiple performance indicators or were below target on achievement • Not Meeting Expectations: school had unacceptable performance on all indicators

7. Ratings Defined • 2014 PLDs for High Schools • Exceeding Expectations: school exceeded state targets for overall readiness and performance indicator (achievement + equity) • Meeting Expectations: school met or exceeded target for overall readiness or exceeded target for achievement/equity indicator • Partially Meeting Expectations: school performed below target on achievement/equity indicator • Not Meeting Expectations: school had unacceptable performance on all indicators

8. Role of PJP • Professional Judgment Panel (PJP) is comprised of educators and community members • Role is to establish target levels for school performance for each performance indicator • New target levels are established based on changes to the model or assessments

9. Representatives • Appointed by state superintendent to serve as liaison between school district leadership and department • Review and approve improvement plans • Provide support to schools based on SPR • Meeting Expectations • Partially Meeting Expectations • Not Meeting Expectations