The Why Report - Recommendation #3
NSBA RECOMMENDATION #3
Multiple Assessments – States should have the option to count the highest score achieved by a student who is assessed more than once on the same content prior to the start of the next school year for AYP.
STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE
The U.S. Department of Education’s policy does not allow tests that are taken after the “official” assessment date to count toward AYP. Hence if a student fails the test during the official spring administration of the test but scores proficient in a subsequent test after remediation, the proficient score cannot be used for AYP that year. This policy is particularly troubling in states where students are given multiple opportunities to pass a test on the same subject. Why identify a school as not making AYP -- and spend limited resources on sanctions – if a group enters the next school year making AYP after retesting? And why should the school move to the next level of sanctions that incur more spending?
Schools that use remediation programs in the spring or summer to help students make AYP within the same school year should be credited for their success. Under NSBA’s proposal, a school and district would be able to revise its AYP data based on the scores from retests given by the state that take place after the official testing period. The school or district would be credited for AYP if as a result of retests specific subgroups that previously failed AYP become proficient. More importantly, the new AYP data will determine whether it moves to the next level of sanctions and how sanctions would be applied the following year.
In cases where the eligibility for transfer and supplemental educational services is announced prior to the availability of revised AYP data that change a school’s AYP status, regulations can determine whether sanctions would proceed -- as long as the school is appropriately credited based on the revised data.
LEGISLATIVE REMEDY
NSBA’s bill gives states the option to count toward AYP the highest score achieved by a student who is assessed more than once on the same subject prior to the following school year.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
In 2006, ED approved Delaware’s request to recalculate AYP if a student attending summer school retests and achieves proficiency. However, the practice is limited to that state and certain grade levels. Delaware’s approval should be expanded to all states and all grade levels. This retesting policy will ensure that schools and districts using post-test remediation programs in the spring or summer to successfully help students reach proficiency are credited in the calculation of AYP for that school year.
Many states already established policies for summer programs: 34 states and the Districts of Columbia have such policies; 12 states operate programs designed specifically to ensure their students are reading at proficient levels; and 14 states included math and science as subjects in the summer program policies (Education Commission of the States 2005). NSBA’s proposed policy will recognize these states’ efforts to help students reach proficiency through post-test programs in the spring or summer by allowing them to include the proficient scores from retests in AYP. It also will create more incentives for states that do not yet offer any post-test remediation programs to begin offering them.
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This Why Report addresses 1 of 40 provisions contained in NSBA’s bill, No Child Left Behind Improvements
Act. To review other Why Reports on key provisions, go here.