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Valenzuela /California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) Lawsuit Settlement. California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) January 15, 2008. Lawsuit Background.
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Valenzuela/California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)Lawsuit Settlement California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) January 15, 2008 © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Lawsuit Background • In February 2006, Morrison & Foerster LLP representing California students unable to graduate as a result of failing the CAHSEE, filed a class action lawsuit against the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State of California, the California Department of Education, and the California State Board of Education • The lawsuit alleged that the State failed to provide students, especially those living in poverty, with an equal and reasonable opportunity to pass the CAHSEE © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Implementing Legislation AB 347 (Nava, Chapter 526, Statutes of 2007) • Requires school districts, charter schools, and county superintendents that participate in a specified categorical funding program -- the intensive instruction and services program -- to offer services to students who did not pass the CAHSEE by the end of grade 12 • Establishes oversight and monitoring responsibilities for county superintendents © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
LEAs Affected by AB 347 • Over 600 LEAs (school districts, county offices, and direct-funded charter schools) were approved for funding from the CAHSEE intensive instruction and services program in 2007-08 • 51 out of 58 County Superintendents secured funding from the intensive instruction and services program for county-operated programs in 2007-08 and are subject to all requirements • 57 out of 58 counties have participating LEAs subject to monitoring and oversight in 2007-08 • 134 direct-funded charter schools are participating © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Key Elements of AB 347 Eligibility for services: • Students who did not pass the CAHSEE by the end of grade 12, beginning with Class of 2006 • Students are entitled to services for two consecutive academic years following grade 12 Basis for Funding Allocation: • Students in grade 12 that have not passed the CAHSEE • Students in grade 11 that have not passed the CAHSEE, if funds are not exhausted © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Key Elements of AB 347 Notification requirements: • Notify students of eligibility for services and the right to file a complaint regarding those services by sending a letter to last known address • Notify students before the end of the school term in sufficient time to register for services • Notify students each term for two academic years after grade 12 • Post notice of eligibility for services at district office, school sites, and on district Internet website • In 07-08, LEAs must notify eligible students in the Classes of 2006 and 2007; Class of 2008 notified before end of June 2008 © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Key Elements of AB 347 (cont’d) Funding may be used for (examples): • Individual or small group instruction • Hiring of additional teachers • Purchasing, scoring, and review diagnostic assessments • Counseling • Designing instruction to meet specific needs of pupils • Appropriate teacher training • Instruction in English Language Arts or Math or both • Services provided by a public or nonpublic entity © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Key Elements of AB 347 (cont’d) Services must: • Be provided until student passes CAHSEE, or a maximum of 2 consecutive academic years of service after grade 12 • Be based on diagnostic assessments and prior results of the CAHSEE • Be provided to English Learners to improve English proficiency, as needed, to pass the CAHSEE • Employ strategies that are most likely to result in students passing the CAHSEE © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Key Elements of AB 347 (cont’d) Examples of services provided to students distinct from prior comprehensive high school services (e.g. time of services): • Diagnostic assessment • Individual instruction in CAHSEE academic content areas • Group instruction in CAHSEE academic content areas • English language development for English learners geared to passage of the CAHSEE • Instruction in test taking skills, individual or group • Academic counseling services, individual or group • Online instruction © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Key Elements of AB 347 (cont’d) Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) Revised Classroom Notice requirements: • Use revised Williams UCP policy and classroom notice at all LEA schools serving students in grades 10-12 to resolve complaints related to the opportunity to receive intensive instruction and services • Immediately forward complaints related to intensive instruction and services to the official designated at the LEA to receive complaints • Submit a quarterly report of summarized data on the nature and resolution of complaints to the governing board and county superintendent © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Key Elements of AB 347 (cont’d) Other requirements: • If the LEA participates in the Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling Program, provide information to pupils in grade 12 about the availability of intensive instruction and services • Submit data annually to Superintendent of Public Instruction and County Superintendent regarding: • Intensive Instruction and Services Program • Middle and High School Supplemental Counseling Program © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Key Elements of AB 347 (cont’d) Establishes County Superintendent monitoring responsibilities: • Verify that all participating LEAs notified eligible students • Verify that students who elect to receive services are served • Contract with another county superintendent to monitor county-operated programs • Include verification information in quarterly reports to local district and county boards for Williams schools in Deciles 1-3 serving students in grades 10-12 and in annual report due in November 2008 © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
Verification Protocolin 2007-08 1. Letter or orientation meeting for all LEAs participating in the CAHSEE intensive instruction and services program (Jan – Feb 2008) 2. Documentation review (March – April 2008) 3. Quarterly and annual reporting for Williams schools in Deciles 1-3 serving students in grades 10-12 • Quarterly (April and July 2008) • Annually (November 2008) 4. Optional Letter of Findings to non-Williams LEAs © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association
2008-09 Visits to Williams Deciles 1-3 Schools • Visits begin in 2008-09 • Coordinate Valenzuela verification visits with Williams and Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) monitoring and oversight • CCSESA will offer Spring 2008 Training for county offices © 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association