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General Assembly implements changes to Student Accountability
in 2002
In
2002, students who did not meet the Standards in grades
3, 5 and 8 in Reading, or Grade 8 in Mathematics had
to take the state test(s) again before they can be
promoted. So summer school is now mandatory for some.
Students
who because of a custody agreement or other situation
have to be out of Delaware during summer school should
be exempt. Their school district needs to request
a special exemption.
Students
who take summer school in a different district should
take the test in that district. The two school districts
will need to work together to make sure that the testing
results get back to the home school district.
Although
state testing exists for Mathematics, Reading, Writing,
Social Studies and Science in grades 3-11, as said
above, the state's consequences only relate to
the Reading tests given in grades 3, 5 and 8; and
the Mathematics test in grade 8.
Here's
how student accountability works in Delaware
There
are five levels at which a student may score on the
state tests:
Well
Below the Standard; Below the Standard; Meets the
Standard;
Exceeds
Standard (plaque, certificate, endorsement of student
transcript);
Distinguished
Performance (possible college scholarship, plaque,
certificate, endorsement of student transcript).
READING
A
student who scores Below the Standard on the
grade 3, 5 or 8 state Reading test will either
attend summer school in 2002 and retake the test before
going on to the next grade - OR - be promoted and
complete an "Individual Improvement Plan"
and take the test again. If the parent does not agree
to an IIP, then summer school is mandatory. Summer
School is option for students with an IIP.Anyone who
is promoted with an IIP must be retested during the
following spring's regular state testing administration.
Anyone
who attends summer school will be retested and must
score at least a Level 2 to be eligible for promotion
with an IIP. A score of Level 3 - Meets the Standard
- or better qualifies for promotion with no strongs
attached.
(updated
May 29, 2002)
If
Meets the Standard is still not reached after
this second attempt at the test, an Academic Review
Committee may use other evidence of the student's
performance to determine if he/she has met the standards.
Parents and guardians have the right to appeal the
contents of an Individual Improvement Plan to the
district's Academic Review Committee.
In
either case, if the second test results are still
not satisfcatory, the student is retained.
A
student who scores Well Below the Standard
must attend summer school and pass the test.
Promotion with an Improvement Plan is not an option.
If the test is not passed, an Academic Review Committee
may look at other indicators to decide if he/she does
meet the reading standard.
The
good news here is that additional indicators besides
the state test may be used to evaluate a student -
but only after summer school and re-testing is completed.
MATHEMATICS
The
same consequences will apply to eighth grade students
whose results are Below or Well Below the Standard
in the Mathematics Test.
ALTERNATIVE
ASSESSMENTS
In
order to accomodate physically-challenged students,
the state shall identify and certify alternative reading
and mathematics assessments for those students with
disabilities who are unable to take the state assessment
as it is currently administered.
ANNUAL
ASSESSMENTS
The
state is also to conduct ANNUAL testing in grades
K through 10 in those grades currently not tested
in reading and math.
Real
student consequences were to happen at graduation
with diplomas and high school transcripts, beg. in
2004. The Governor issued an Executive Order which
suspended the three-tier diploma system pending recommendations
from a panel of national experts.
Following
is a description of the three-tiered diploma system
that is currently suspended:
Basic
Diploma, Standard Diploma and a Distinguished Achievement
Diploma.
The
type of diploma issued and requirements for each will
be clearly indicated on the face of these new diplomas.
And, local school districts are to include a statement
of a student's performance relative to the high school
content standards on each student's transcript.
Basic
Diploma: Awarded if student does not meet the
10th grade Standards on the state Reading and/or Mathematics
tests but does meet course requirements of the state
and school district.
Standard
Diploma: Awarded to a student who successfully
completes course requirements, and demonstrates a
Proficient level on the state reading and mathematics
tests in Grade 10..
Distinguished
Achievement Diploma: Awarded for a high level
of individual performance, yet to be established by
the Dept. of Education
A
student who receives a Basic or Standard Diploma shall
be eligible at his or her own expense within five
years to upgrade to the Standard or Distinguished
Achievement Diploma by successfully completing a test
approved by the Department of Education.
A
student who has met the requirements of his/her Individualized
Education Plan (IEP) but has not completed the high
school graduation course credit requirements, and
has not scored at a Proficient Level on the state
tests, will receive a Certificate of Performance.
Click
on the Dept.
of Education's Student Testing web site
for more information.
The
National Education Association has produced a guide
with information for parents on Testing and Accountability
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