2012
- Secretary's Column:
Moving away from NCLB, toward more credible system
- Flexibility waiver receives federal stamp of approval
- 2012 Report Card will have new look
- Education Reform Advisory Council named
- Dakota STEP results now online
- South Dakota receives grant for longitudinal data system
- Principal Standards & Evaluation Work Group meets
- Upcoming Events
- South Dakota Board of Education
July 16, Pierre
- CTE Conference
July 29 – Aug. 1, Pierre
- Using Literature to Teach Health
Aug. 13-14, Spearfish
- 9th Annual Indian Education Summit
Sept. 23-25, Chamberlain
- 13th Annual Systems Change Conference
Oct. 10-12, Chamberlain
Secretary's Column:
By Dr. Melody Schopp
Department of Education
Moving away from NCLB, toward more credible system
I knew when we first embarked on the journey to apply for a waiver that would provide flexibility from key provisions of No Child Left Behind, that it would be a long and sometimes rocky road. But it was a journey worth taking.
With our flexibility waiver approved, South Dakota is no longer tied to the goal of 100 percent proficiency for all students – which was certainly lofty but not practical. Another key flexibility is the move away from adequate yearly progress determinations. Both flexibilities have afforded us, as a state, the opportunity to think differently about what is a reasonable goal and how we measure school performance.
That said, there will be pieces of the new accountability system that still look the same. We will still report out much of the same data, and the state is still required to classify schools and provide interventions and support to those who most need it. But our measurements for accountability will be spread across multiple indicators, instead of relying so heavily on a once-a-year assessment.
The new system is built around a 100-point scale, called the School Performance Index, which uses multiple indicators to measure performance. Five key indicators make up the scale, and these indicators will be phased in over time – with full implementation in the 2014-15 school year.
Under the new system, schools will have unique goals and targets based on the goal of reducing, by half, the percentage of students who score basic and below basic within six years. Each school will have unique annual targets for each of its subgroups, as well as a new Gap Group and Non-Gap Group, based on this overarching goal.
The Gap Group is an aggregate of student subgroups that have historically not performed well on the statewide assessment – in other words, those students who need some extra assistance. The Non-Gap Group is the remainder of the subgroups.
The concept of a Gap Group serves South Dakota well for two reasons. First, by aggregating the count of students in the subgroups, more schools will have the opportunity to focus on those groups of struggling students. Second, by using the Gap and Non-Gap Group for accountability purposes, we are ensuring that each student counts only once when considering student achievement (i.e., test scores). Under the old system, a student might fall into several subgroups (eg., economically disadvantaged, limited English proficient, and students with disabilities) and be counted in each of those subgroups. Under the new system, students are counted only once – in either the Gap Group or Non-Gap Group – for student achievement purposes.
The School Performance Index will be used to identify Title I schools for federally required intervention and supports. Per the waiver requirements, the state will begin working with a certain number of Priority and Focus schools beginning in the 2012-13 school year.
Recognition of Exemplary schools also will be determined using the School Performance Index. Any school, regardless of its Title status, is eligible for Exemplary status.
One final thing that I like about the new system is that it offers an additional five points to any school that meets both its Gap and Non-Gap Group targets in reading and math in any given year.
The approval of the federal waiver was just one of several steps in a move toward a new, more credible accountability system for South Dakota. I’ll be the first to admit that the new system is not perfect – no system ever is – but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
My thanks to all those who have provided guidance, input and feedback throughout the process. We will be looking for feedback again soon when we take administrative rules before the Board of Education.
Flexibility waiver receives federal stamp of approval
South Dakota’s application for flexibility from certain provisions of No Child Left Behind has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education. At the center of the new accountability model is a 100-point index that uses multiple indicators to determine performance.
“This model offers a balanced and meaningful approach to measuring school performance. Rather than focusing almost exclusively on a single indicator, it encompasses multiple measures that indicate how well a school is performing. It also sets goals for continuous improvement that are lofty and yet attainable,” said Dr. Melody Schopp, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education.
According to Schopp, components of the model will be phased in over time, with full implementation in the 2014-15 school year. “We wanted to be thoughtful and purposeful and take our time in order to do this right, which is why we have delayed implementation of certain pieces of the model,” she said.
The model is based on a School Performance Index, or SPI, which consists of five key indicators. Each year, schools will receive an SPI score of 0 to 100, with each of the indicators worth a certain number of points. Indicators are different at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
At the elementary and middle school levels, the five indicators include: Student Achievement, which measures proficiency on statewide assessments in reading and math; Academic Growth, an indicator of student growth over a period of time; Attendance; Teacher and Principal Effectiveness; and School Climate.
At the high school level, the Academic Growth indicator is replaced by a High School Completion indicator, and the Attendance indicator is replaced by an indicator of College and Career Readiness.
“The annual SPI score is the first lens through which we can look at schools. It’s designed to be a broad picture of key indicators, and it will give school leaders, teachers, parents and the public an idea of how their schools are performing against these criteria,” Schopp said.
The SPI score will be reported annually and will be used to recognize schools whose scores rank among the top 5 percent (Exemplary Schools) and to identify those Title I schools that rank among the bottom 5 percent (Priority Schools) for targeted interventions and support.
“The model also incorporates a second lens that allows us to delve more deeply into what’s happening with groups of students,” Schopp said.
This “second lens” focuses on the Student Achievement indicator and how subgroups of students perform on assessments. Under the new model, South Dakota has set a goal of reducing by half the percentage of students who score below the proficient level on the state tests in reading and math within six years. The 2012-13 school year will be the baseline year.
Within each school, each subgroup of students will have unique annual targets to get them to that point.
“This approach continues to shine a spotlight on student groups that need extra attention and support, but it also recognizes that all of our students and student groups have different starting points,” Schopp said.
South Dakota’s model includes the use of what is referred to as a “Gap Group,” which is an aggregate of student subgroups that have historically experienced achievement gaps. It also uses an unduplicated count of students. Under the old system, a single student may have been counted multiple times depending upon the number of subgroups he or she belonged to. The new system will count each student only once.
Schools that make their annual targets in reading and math will be able to earn additional SPI points for that accomplishment.
South Dakota also will use student achievement, attendance and graduation rate data to identify additional Title I schools (Focus Schools) for targeted assistance and support.
“This model sets high but realistic goals for continuous improvement. It relies on multiple indicators, and recognizes schools that are high performing as well as those making significant academic gains,” Schopp said. “While we have much more work to do, it’s a huge step in the right direction.”
To view a summary of the new model, go to http://www.doe.sd.gov/secretary/documents/AccounSum.pd.
To access the application in its entirety, go to http://www2.ed.gov/policy/eseaflex/approved-requests/sd.pdf.
2012 Report Card will have new look
The state Report Card, issued by the Department of Education, will have a new look this year, due to a new vendor and the transition to a new accountability system. While it will contain much of the same data as previous years, data will be presented in a different format, and there will be no determinations of adequate yearly progress.
“This year’s Report Card will still show how schools performed relative to AMO targets set under No Child Left Behind, but there will be no determinations of AYP,” said Judy Merriman, who oversees the department’s Data Office. “The elements of the new accountability model will kick in with the 2012-13 school year, and that year’s data will serve as a baseline moving forward.”
The department will give superintendents an overview of the new Report Card at an informational session slated for July 18, 1:30-3 p.m., at the Clubhouse Hotel & Suites in Pierre, immediately following the Superintendents’ Conference. The session will help administrators understand the newly redesigned Report Card and its functionality.
A public version of the Report Card is expected to be launched on the department’s website at the end of this month. Schools will receive access to a secured version of the Report Card, which will offer “drill down” capabilities to the student level.
For more information, contact Judy Merriman, South Dakota Department of Education, at (605) 773-4737 or Judy.Merriman@state.sd.us.
Education Reform Advisory Council named
The legislature has appointed the South Dakota Education Reform Advisory Council, one of six work groups outlined in House Bill 1234. Appointments were announced last month. The group will meet for the first time July 18-19 in Pierre. Members represent a variety of constituents including teachers, school administrators, school board members, and leaders of key educational associations.
This group has been charged with examining education reform issues and specifically reforms related to teacher compensation, teacher recruitment and retention, and student achievement.
Council members:
Sandy Arsenault
Bev Banks
Dean Christensen
Mary Day
Fred Deutsch
Pam Espeland
Cooper Garnos
Joe Graves
Mark Greguson
James Hansen
Jeff Holcomb
John Julius
Heath Larson
Rob Monson
Kristin Morse
Jeff Nelsen
Wade Pogany
Samantha Walder
Paula Weeldreyer
Legislators/Council members:
Sen. Jim Bradford
Sen. J. Mark Johnston
Rep. Larry Lucas
Rep. Tad Perry
Sen. Bruce Rampelberg
Rep. Jacqueline Sly
Go to: http://www.doe.sd.gov/secretary/iitsderac.aspx for more information.
Dakota STEP results now online
Last month, your district testing coordinator should have received an email from the Department of Education announcing that the 2012 Dakota STEP results are now available on the South Dakota Assessment Portal (old eMetric site).
Within that site, districts also can see how students performed on the Common Core standards that were embedded into this year’s Dakota STEP.
Each district has a single log-in/password for the South Dakota Assessment Portal. Your testing coordinator should have that information, or you can contact Matt Gill at Matthew.Gill@state.sd.us.
If you have questions about the data within the site, please contact Gay Pickner at (605) 773-3247 or Gay.Pickner@state.sd.us.
South Dakota receives grant for longitudinal data system
South Dakota has been awarded one of 24 state-level grants from the Institute of Education Sciences. The three-year, $3 million grant will support ongoing development and implementation of a statewide longitudinal data system for the state’s K-12 schools.
The grants are authorized by the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002. Grantees were selected through competitive process, with award decisions based on the merits of the applicants’ proposals and available program funding.
Currently, 10 South Dakota school districts have been selected to participate in a pilot project that will begin this summer. The pilot is expected to be completed by early 2013, at which point the data management system will be rolled out to other districts.
Go to: http://www.doe.sd.gov/ofm/lds.aspx for more information.
Principal Standards & Evaluation Work Group meets
The Principal Standards and Evaluation Work Group met for the first time June 19-20 in Pierre. The group is charged with developing standards and a statewide evaluation system for principals. Dr. Rick Melmer and Dr. Fred Aderhold of the University of South Dakota are facilitating the work.
Go to http://www.doe.sd.gov/secretary/iitpsewg.aspx to follow the work of the group. Meeting agendas and notes will be posted on the right side of the page under documents as they become available.
The Teacher Evaluation Work Group also met for the first time last month. Go to: http://doe.sd.gov/secretary/iittewg.aspx to follow the work of that group.
Pictured in the foreground during last month’s meeting of the Principal Standards & Evaluation Work Group are (from left) Deb Johnson, Chamberlain; Mark Rockafellow, West Central; Melinda Jensen, Brookings; Shelly Munson, Tea.
Upcoming Events
- South Dakota Board of Education
July 16, Pierre
- CTE Conference
July 29 – Aug. 1, Pierre
- Using Literature to Teach Health
Aug. 13-14, Spearfish
- 9th Annual Indian Education Summit
Sept. 23-25, Chamberlain
- 13th Annual Systems Change Conference
Oct. 10-12, Chamberlain
South Dakota Board of Education
July 16, Pierre
The Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled meeting July 16 at the Governors Inn in Pierre. The meeting begins at 8 a.m. To view the agenda, go to: http://doe.sd.gov/board/packets/July12.aspx.
CTE Conference
July 29 – Aug. 1, Pierre
The South Dakota Department of Education and SDACTE co-sponsor the annual SDACTE Conference. SDACTE handles all of the registration information. The conference is held in Pierre each summer, typically in late July or early August. This year, it runs from July 29 until Aug. 1.
If you’re a middle or high school teacher, school counselor or administrator, come find out what’s new in career and technical education. Find more information and details on how to register at http://www.lakeareatech.edu/sdacte/.
Using Literature to Teach Health
Aug. 13-14, Spearfish
Planning for instruction that will advance the health literacy of students is just a page turn away. Elementary, middle and high school teachers responsible for health education in their school district as well as librarians, nurses, counselors and curriculum directors are encouraged to attend this two-day training on the campus of Black Hills State University.
Participants will receive the Using Literature to Teach Health Teacher’s Guide as well as $250 toward the purchase of books that include a health content area or health skills. In addition, Coordinated School Health will cover travel expenses (meals, mileage, lodging and any substitute teacher fees) for all participants.
9th Annual Indian Education Summit
Sept. 23-25, Chamberlain
This year’s Indian Education Summit will be held at the Cedar Shore Resort, located right on the Missouri River near Chamberlain and Oacoma. This event is quickly becoming a staple to bring partners from across South Dakota together to learn and to share ideas and insights to address the educational needs of American Indian students. Many sessions will be geared for K-12; many others will emphasize preschool and higher education strands. Watch www.doe.sd.gov for more information.
13th Annual Systems Change Conference
Oct. 10-12, Chamberlain
This year’s Systems Change Conference will be held at the Cedar Shore Resort, located on the Missouri River near Chamberlain and Oacoma. Long regarded as one of the region’s premier professional development events for educators, this event also features the announcement of the South Dakota Teacher of the Year, during a special recognition banquet. Graduate credit and DOE contact hours are available. For more information, or to register, watch www.systemschange.midwestmaple.org.
