Fall District Test Coordinators Meeting

Alexandria, LA

November, 2005

BESE Approved Requests for

Waivers

October, 2005

High School Diplomas for Displaced Students

For 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, BESE will allow students who were displaced to earn a Louisiana high school diploma, if they: • Earn the 23 required Carnegie units (or the

equivalent)• Pass the Louisiana GEE

The Department is setting up procedures to notify students of this option

We will work with officials in other states and the affected districts to evaluate student records, provide the GEE, and send their diplomas.

Instructional Time Policy and statute require 177 days

of instruction (which may be converted to 63,720 minutes)

BESE granted authority to Superintendent Picard to approve revised school calendars for 2005-2006.

That authority is contingent upon legislative approval (R.S. 17:154.1)

Districts are revising calendars now and are being advised to make up as many days as possible.

Class Size

BESE granted authority to the Superintendent to approve waivers of the maximum class size, up to the following: • LA 4 and other early childhood programs: 11:1 student to

adult ratio (was 10:1.) • Grades K-3, up to 28 students per class (was 26 students

per class)• Grades 4-12, up to 35 students per class (was 33 students

per class)

This waiver is contingent on suspension of Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:151, 17:174, and 17:24.10, which stipulate maximum class size requirements.

High Stakes Testing

Policy requires students to pass LEAP to be promoted to 5th or 9th grade.

BESE waived this policy, for one year, for all Louisiana 4th and 8th graders• Decision is deferred to local school districts. • Some districts are implementing a modified

high-stakes policy Seniors must still pass GEE

• English and Math, along with Science or Social Studies

• Multiple testing opportunities are provided

Louisiana Teacher Assistance

and Assessment Program Current policy requires all new teachers

to complete the two-year program, beginning with their first year. • BESE is allowing flexibility regarding the

implementation timeline with the option of full implementation, partially delayed implementation, or a full delay of implementation.

• On a case-by-case basis, special exclusions will be considered for those teachers who have experienced significant hardship and/or displacement.

LA Principal Induction Program

Policy requires all newly appointed principals and assistant principals to participate.

In districts with significant impact, districts may fully participate, partially delay participation, or fully delay participation.

In other districts, deadlines have been extended and orientation meetings are being modified.

On a case-by-case basis, special exclusions will be considered for administrators who are being temporarily assigned to “temporary schools” – that is, schools designated specifically for displaced students.

Policy Waivers Requested from USDE and USDE Response

Offer Supplemental Education Services (SES) in place of School Choice• Under discussion.

Reading First Reallocation• Under discussion.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)• “Displaced” subgroup allowed by USDE.

Highly Qualified Teachers• One-year extension under discussion.

Limited English Proficient• Under discussion.

Homeless Education Placement• No authority to waive.

Participation in NAEP 2006 (National NAEP)• Participation in national NAEP is a state option.

Charter Schools BESE allowed the International School of Louisiana (a

Type 2 charter) to temporarily relocate for the remainder of 2005-06.

Relative to Type 1 and Type 3 Charter Schools, BESE requested that the Governor temporarily suspend (through Executive Order) timelines spelled out in the charter school law in order to allow the implementation of locally approved charters.

Regarding Type 4 Charter Schools, BESE requested that the Governor temporarily suspend (through Executive Order):• timelines spelled out in the charter school law in order to allow

the implementation of LEA-sponsored charters• the requirements that prior to a preexisting public school

being converted into a Type 4 charter school, it shall be approved by the professional faculty and staff of the preexisting school and approved by the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the school.

• The Board authorized staff to submit a request to the United States Department of Education for additional federal charter school grant funds, up to $20 million, to assist new and existing charter schools with hurricane-related expenses.

Spring 2006 Testing GEE (Grades 10 and 11) LEAP (Grades 4 and 8) iLEAP

-- Grades 3, 5, 6, 7: four subjects-- Grade 9: English language arts and math

Note: calculators on different day

Option 2 (8.5) Students in 2006

Take LEAP in the 8th grade subject failed Take iLEAP in the 8th grade subject

passed

For example, a current 8.5 student who failed 8th grade math, and passed 8th grade ELA would take:• 8th grade LEAP Math• 9th grade iLEAP ELA

Special Populations Assessment

LAA 1 (Grades 3–11) LAA 2

• Grades 4, 8, 10 – ELA & Math• Grade 11 – Science & Social Studies• Other grades will be tested next year.• FAQ will be posted soon.

ELDA (Grades K–12) • DRC will handle test administration.• Grade cluster: K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12

NAEP 2006

NAEP 2006 is National NAEP•30 schools selected for sample

•LA has requested a waiver of NAEP for this year (2005-2006)

NAEP 2005 Exclusion Issue•Students who participate in

LEAP/iLEAP should participate in NAEP

Field Testing 2006

GEE field testing will occur only for •Grade 10 (ELA and Math), and

•Grade 11 (Science and Social Studies)

Item development continues for 4 and 8

Practice Tests

Practice Tests (Grades 4, 8, 10, and 11)•November 29th delivery date

•Based on 2004-2005 counts

•Grade 4 written compositions can be mailed in.

Additional Copies for Displaced Students•Call DRC for additional copies

GEE Testing Requirements for Diploma Endorsements

GEE testing requirement for Academic and Career/Technical Endorsement•One additional retest is allowed for

students who have already met the passing requirement but who have not met the endorsement requirement

•Typically, October retest

•For 2005-2006, February retest

Out-of-State Seniors and Louisiana Graduation

Requirements•23 Carnegie units

•GEE (ELA, Math, and S or SS)

Procedures for out-of-state students

LA diploma is allowed.