Subject Area Testing Program

1. 1 Subject Area Testing Program Began in 1994 4 courses: Algebra I, Biology I, English II, and U.S. History from 1877 Replacing Functional Literacy Exam begun in 1987 Phased in as graduation requirement Class of 2006 first required to pass all 4 courses

2. 2 Subject Area Testing Program Algebra I, Biology I, and U.S. History are multiple-choice with one open-ended item English II � three parts Multiple-choice Informative writing Narrative writing

3. 3 Subject Area Testing Program Participation 2003-04 (first-time test takers) Algebra I � 27,500 Biology I � 28,500 U.S. History � 25,500 English II Multiple-Choice & Writing � 29,000

4. 4 Subject Area Testing Program State Board policy requires three administrations per year (summer, fall, and spring) Currently, five test administrations per year Two administrations given with paper & pencil Three test administrations given online

5. 5 Meeting the Graduation Requirement Achieve a passing score on the test Achieve a passing score on the alternate assessment (open to special education students only) Request a substitute evaluation (open to any student)

6. 6 Alternate Assessment for Subject Area Tests � Planning Process The student must have an IEP. The IEP Committee must determine the student cannot participate in the regular assessment even with allowable accommodations before the student takes the course. The request to participate in the alternate assessment is made by the IEP Committee.

7. 7 Alternate Assessment for Subject Area Tests � Planning Process Subject specific content standards are the same as for all students. The IEP Committee determines appropriate assessment methods.

8. 8 Alternate Assessment for Subject Area Tests � Planning Process The request to conduct the alternate assessment is submitted to the DOE (late spring previous school year or early fall) An external committee (content area teachers) reviews the request and determines if the assessment plan will provide appropriate evidence (by end of first nine weeks) If approved � collect evidence If denied � apply again or re-evaluate alternate assessment decision

9. 9 Alternate Assessment for Subject Area Tests � Evidence Process The student�s teacher(s) responsible for collection of evidence during the school year. Other teachers, parents, school administrators, or other personnel may be involved in the collection of evidence. The body of evidence is documented and teacher, principal, and special education supervisor certify accuracy and integrity of data.

10. 10 Alternate Assessment for Subject Area Tests � Evidence Process It is recommended that each competency have a minimum of five (5) work samples as primary evidence. Primary evidence is evidence that clearly documents the student�s mastery of the specified competency. District personnel must be able to verify that the work is independently produced by the student.

11. 11 Alternate Assessment for Subject Area Tests � Evidence Process Secondary evidence is optional. Secondary evidence is supporting evidence for the primary evidence and may include letters of support, descriptions by teacher, homework, group assignments, and/or other tools used by the student.

12. 12 Alternate Assessment for Subject Area Tests � Evaluation Process Evidence is submitted to DOE (beginning of the fourth term). External committee (content area teachers) reviews evidence of student meeting standard. Committee members rate independently and scores are averaged. Pass/fail determined by cut score.

14. 14 Meeting the Graduation Requirement � Substitute Evaluation Open to any student The student must have passed the course and failed, or failed the test at least twice. The student, parent, or school personnel can submit a written statement with supporting evidence of mastery and reason for a substitute evaluation.

15. 15 Meeting the Graduation Requirement � Substitute Evaluation Appeal is submitted to the local school district for determination of merit. If the appeal is denied at the local level, the appeal can be submitted directly to the state DOE. Appeal is considered by the state.

16. 16 Meeting the Graduation Requirement � Substitute Evaluation The student, parent, or school personnel can submit a written statement with supporting evidence of mastery and reason for a substitute evaluation. If the appeal is granted, a substitute evaluation can be used to demonstrate mastery of the course. If the appeal is denied, the student must continue to take the Subject Area Test.

17. 17 Challenges IEP Committees understanding the purpose the alternate assessment Quality of evidence submitted � for alternate assessment and substitute evaluation Scoring guidance for external committee Communication � getting information to the teacher conducting the alternate assessment

18. 18 Refinements Requiring five pieces of primary evidence for alternate assessment Developing training materials for external review committee Additional criteria to request appeal for substitute evaluation � attendance, must pass the course, failed at least three times, must have participated in remediation, must score within a range of passing