1 © 2008 california county superintendents educational services association valenzuela/california...

1© 2008 California County Superintendents Educational Services Association

Valenzuela/California High School Exit Exam

(CAHSEE) Lawsuit Settlement

California County Superintendents Educational Services Association

(CCSESA)

January 15, 2008


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


Implementing LegislationAB 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


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


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


Key Elements of AB 347Notification 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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


2008-09 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

1 © 2008 california county superintendents educational services association valenzuela/california...

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