Status of the Appeals, PSAT/SAT/ACT and WASL/Grade Comparison Options

1. Status of the Appeals, PSAT/SAT/ACT and WASL/Grade Comparison Options Robert Butts Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction WERA Conference December 8, 2006

2. PSAT/SAT/ACT Math Equivalency • May meet math standard by meeting/exceeding score on PSAT, SAT, or ACT • Must take WASL twice. Need not meet attendance/remediation requirements in SLP • Minimum scores: • PSAT - 47 • SAT - 470 • ACT – 19 • May ”bank” scores earned before taking WASL twice • Form being developed to document student has met standard – see website after February 15 • Will need copy of original score report • Need to develop a process for including in Student Information Systems

3. PSAT/SAT/ACT Math Equivalency • Of 24,000 matched students (2003 WASL/2005 SAT), 2,049 met/exceeded 470 on SAT and did not meet the WASL math standard • Reimbursement/Fee Waivers • Legislation requires school districts to reimburse students for taking these tests “for the purposes of an alternative assessment” • OSPI exploring feasibility with ACT and SAT of providing fee waivers for eligible students in lieu of reimbursement • Must have taken WASL twice, not met standard • Funding currently available through June 2007 • Check website in January for more information

4. WASL/Grades Comparison • Must take WASL twice and meet any attendance and remediation requirements in Student Learning Plan • Compares the course grades of the applicant with the grades of students who: • Were in same school • Took same courses (e.g., Algebra 1); and • Met or slightly exceeded standard. • Compares applicant’s grades with mean grades of this “comparison cohort” • Use equivalent of classes that earn 2 credits • For mathematics, reading, writing • Been concerns about correlation, esp. in reading/writing

5. Students in the high school who took Algebra I and Geometry Frank Students who met or slightly exceeded the math standard (scores of 400-420) Mean grades of this “cohort”: 2.7 Frank’s average grades: 2.9 Meets the mathematics standard WASL/Grades Comparison • Highest Math WASL score = 390 • Took Algebra I and Geometry • Average grades for the two classes: 2.9

6. WASL/Grades Comparison • Draft rules distributed for comment prior to January 2 • Goal is to adopt rules by early spring • Will not be ready for use until this spring or fall • Outstanding issues: • Are data for prior school years available and accessible? • Can a statewide electronic tool be developed? • Should this be available only after junior year?

7. Transfer Students and Special Cases • SB 6475 requires OSPI to develop guidelines and appeal procedures for waiving CAA/CIA requirement for students: • Who transfer into a WA school in junior or senior year; and • Who have special, unavoidable circumstances

8. Transfer Students • Principles • Makes sense and considered to be fair by students, parents, educators • Not overly complex and can successfully be implemented • Maintains the integrity of the CAA • Recognizes transfer student may not have had a opportunity-to-learn • Must work for children of parents in the military and others who relocate frequently

9. Transfer Students • Two different options currently under consideration: • Waive CAA/CIA requirement for students who arrive after October 1 in junior year or in senior year • Would be able to graduate, but would not get a CAA/CIA • Waive CAA requirement only for students who have passed another state high school assessment or out-of-country students who demonstrate skills • Math/Reading-Writing-English language Arts • Would be able to graduate, but would not get a CAA/CIA

10. Transfer Students • Option 1 (Broad Waiver) • Clearer and easier to implement • Recognizes lack of opportunity-to-learn for transfer students • Raises issues regarding fairness to students who have been in WA but not met standards • Option 2 (Other state tests/out-of-country) • More difficult to implement, esp. out-of-country • Does require that students demonstrate skills, but not necessarily “comparable skills”

11. Special Circumstances • Current Draft: • Students with “special, unavoidable circumstances” could file an appeal to SPI • Would go to a statewide Appeals Board • Principals/teachers • Meets 3 - 4 times a year • Makes recommendation to SPI • Definition • No fault of their own • Include, but not limited to: • Could not take assessment in senior year due to illness, injury, or loss of a parent • Major error in test administration • Accommodations not provided

12. Timeline for Appeals • Draft rules distributed for comment prior to January 2 • Goal is to adopt rules by early spring.