NCAE State Board of Education Review Testing issue connected to Math I in grades 8 and 9 The current practice in North Carolina: eighth grade students taking NC Math 1 take both the “regular” state end-of-grade (EOG) assessment for eighth grade and the end-of-course (EOC) test for NC Math 1. Section §200.5 of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) codifies an exemption for students enrolled in advanced mathematics while in middle school to avoid double-testing. The exemption applies only to eighth graders and only to states in which the EOC math assessment is the same assessment that the state administers to high school students. The student’s performance on the high school assessment will be used in the year in which the student takes the assessment for purposes of measuring academic achievement and participation. To avoid double-testing of students taking advanced mathematics coursework, DPI staff recommend that the ESSA middle school mathematics exemption be included in State Board of Education policy ACCT-021 and become effective with the 2017–18 school year. Additionally, it is recommended that the policy specifies that NC Math 1 students in eighth grade must take the NC Math 3 end-of-course assessment for federal accountability in high school.
REVISED English Language Arts standards are approved by the State Board with a vote of 8 to 4 The revised ELA standards were a compilation of work completed by several stakeholder groups. A Data Review Committee (DRC) reviewed data from ELA teacher focus groups, educator and community surveys, and the work of the Academic Standards Review Commission (ASRC). Recommendations from the DRC were provided to Writing Teams composed of ELA teachers, ELA district leaders, and professors from North Carolina colleges and universities. More than 10,000 responses received from surveys, 99 LEAs provided feedback, community and business stakeholders provided feedback as well. The third ELA draft was approved with an 8-4 vote. The staff at DPI will move forward to align curriculum for implementation in 2018-19 and will collaborate with a peer review process as needed.
Discussed the NC Check-Ins and received data on how positive the process works and supports student achievement. Based on the feedback regarding the process over the last two years, DPI staff recommends the following:
Participation in the NC Check-Ins is voluntary The NC Check-Ins ae expanded over two years: 2017-18 adding ELA/Reading for grades 5 & 7, and Math for grades 4 &6. In 2018-19 adding ELA/Reading for grades 4 & 8 and Math for grades 3 & 7 NC Check-Ins will be available online and in paper-and-pencil formats LEAs/Schools are encouraged NOT to administer an additional benchmark assessment in the same subject as the NC CheckIns
Low-Performing Schools Reform Models and LEAs The SBE policy on recurring low-performing schools allows LEAs the opportunity to apply for one of four Reform Models to utilize innovative school reform and reverse a history of low performance. The Restart Reform Model allows the LEA to hire an Education Management Operator or the Local School Board can continue running the school. Of the following approved plans using the following Restart Reform Model not one LEA selected an EMO: Bertie County Schools Bertie High School Weldon City Schools Weldon Elementary Global Academy and Weldon Stem High School Career Academies Johnston County Schools Cooper Elementary and North Johnston Middle Northampton County Schools Northampton County High Iredell-Statesville Public Schools NB Mills School, Statesville Middle School, Troutman Middle School and Statesville High School Halifax County Schools Davie Middle School, Northwest High School, Scotland Neck Elementary School and Everetts Elementary Cleveland County Schools Graham Elementary School, and James Love Elementary School
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NCAE SBE Review for April 2017