Education Online 2012 - South Dakota Department of Education Newsletter

• Student Achievement

• Academic Growth (elementary and middle schools) OR High School Completion (high schools)

• Attendance Rate (elementary and middle schools) OR College and Career Readiness (high schools)

• Effective Teachers and Principals (implemented in 2014-15)

• School Climate (implemented in 2014-15)

Because the various indicators on the School Performance Index will be phased in at different times, the point system changes in 2014-15, when the full index is expected to be in place.

What’s different?

Educators will see some big changes under the proposed model of accountability; however, the basic concept of accountability remains tight. For example, the annual AYP process will be gone, although there will still be an annual Report Card based on the School Performance Index. And the NCLB “school improvement” process, as we currently know it, also will be gone. Here’s a brief summary of some of the major changes.

Super subgroup, unduplicated student count

While the proficiency levels of the various subgroups will still be reported each year, South Dakota proposes using two subgroups – Subset 1 and Subset 2 – for accountability purposes.

Subset 2 consists of the students who belong in subgroups that have historically experienced achievement gaps. The students in these subgroups will be aggregated into one larger subgroup. Subset 1 consists of the aggregate of the remaining subgroups. The proficiency levels of these two groups would be summed to come up with the score for the Student Achievement indicator.

In addition, the proposed model would use unduplicated counts of students when calculating the Student Achievement indicator. Each student is counted only once, which is contrary to the current system. Under the current system, schools can be “penalized” for one student multiple times if he or she scores below the proficiency mark.

Accounting for growth

At the elementary and middle school levels, the proposed model includes Academic Growth as one of the key indicators on the SPI. Growth is a concept that has universal support among educators, according to Schopp.

High school completion vs. graduation

Under the proposed model, South Dakota would use a High School Completion indicator, compared to the current four-year cohort graduation rate. This High School Completion indicator would include both the four-year cohort grad rate and a high school completion rate that would give schools credit for those students who finish high school, even if it takes longer than four years to complete. The two rates would be weighted, with more weight (75 percent) going to the high school completion rate.

“Schools are doing the right thing by working with students to see that they complete their high school program, no matter what the timeframe,” Schopp said. “We all learn at different rates, and we all have life circumstances that can impact our educational experiences. We think it’s important to acknowledge and recognize that work,” Schopp said.

The proposed new model also includes an indicator for College and Career Readiness – based on college-going rates and ACT scores – at the high school level. Per feedback from the field, the department also is continuing to pursue a way to give schools credit for those students that enter the military, Schopp said.

No AYP; individual school goals

Under the current system, each school and district receives an annual adequate yearly progress determination. With the proposed model, AYP would no longer be determined. Instead, each school would have a five-year goal for growth, as well as yearly targets. The goals would be re-set every five years.

In the first year of the proposed School Performance Index, which could be as early as the 2012-13 school year, all public schools would receive a SPI score. That score would serve as the base, and five-year goals would be set for each school depending upon where it falls on the continuum.

Schools whose scores rank in the top 10 percent would have a goal of maintaining those high scores. Schools that rank in the middle would be expected to make moderate growth. Schools that rank in the bottom 15 and bottom 5 percent would be expected to make greater strides in improving their SPI score. Title I and Title I-eligible schools, called Priority (bottom 5 percent) and Focus Schools (bottom 6 to 15 percent), would implement interventions and supports related to school reform.

Assessment of English language learners

South Dakota proposes that, beginning in 2012-13, the state would not require English language learners to take the Dakota STEP until they are designated as proficient on the WIDA ACCESS test or a limit of three years, whichever occurs first.

Next steps

South Dakota fully anticipates that the U.S. Department of Education will have questions and feedback regarding its waiver application. “We know that there are pieces of our proposal that U.S. Ed will have concerns with, but we’ve heard from other states that there seems to be a willingness to work with states,” Schopp said. “Bottom line: We want to do what’s right for South Dakota.”

During the 2012 legislative session, SB 25 was passed. That bill gives the state Department of Education the go-ahead to begin writing new school accountability rules, based on the proposed model of accountability outlined in the waiver application. “That means educators and others will have another chance to weigh in on the proposed model when the rules go before the state Board of Education,” Schopp said. “And we look forward to getting that feedback and input.”

To view a summary of the proposed accountability model, go to: http://doe.sd.gov/secretary/documents/ProAccMod.pdf.

To view South Dakota’s entire ESEA Flexibility Waiver application, go to: http://doe.sd.gov/secretary/documents/ESEAreqst.pdf.

2012 Legislature: Bills that impact your district

Go to http://doe.sd.gov/pressroom/educationonline/2012/mar/documents/Legisla12.pdf to read summary.

K-12 Education funding summary for FY13

Go to http://doe.sd.gov/pressroom/educationonline/2012/mar/documents/Fundsum12.pdf to ready summary.

PRF database now open

The Personnel Record Form (PRF) database reopened on Wednesday, March 7. You can now use the database to update staffing information or run reports. It can also be used to identify staff who are qualified to teach an assignment. It is recommended that you review the below items before the database closes again in June.

Areas of the PRF to Review and Update

• Employee who is no longer a staff person after working the first part of the school year. Do NOT change their record to reflect No Longer Employed. This will be done in the 2012-13 database.

• New Employee. If a staff person was employed after the database was closed you should add the staff person to the appropriate area of the PRF. The FTE and salary should reflect the time worked. Areas that should be reviewed are: Staffing; Classified Staffing; Paraprofessionals; Bus Drivers; and SPED Contracted Services

• Plans of Intent. Review each Plan of Intent. If the person has completed the requirement’s the Plan Status will show as Completed.

• Bus Drivers. If you employ or contract with a bus driver who had not taken the required Annual Training before the PRF closed, but has since taken that training, you should update their record.

• South Dakota Virtual School. Add new classes which are now offered through the SD Virtual School.

• Program Reviews. If you have had a Program Review since the PRF closed and you have information on the PRF that needs to be updated, you may do this now.

• Other Areas of the PRF. Review each area of the PRF to ensure the data is accurate.

For more information, contact carla.leingang@state.sd.us, (605) 773-4638.

Nominate your teachers for Dakota STEP work groups

While South Dakota is moving to a new state assessment in 2014-15, the state is still required to conduct an annual data review of the existing Dakota STEP.

The South Dakota Department of Education is looking for teachers to serve on the groups listed below. A diverse group of dedicated teachers representing both large and small districts across the state, from various grade levels along with special education and English language learners teachers, is needed.

The Department of Education will reimburse all selected participants for mileage, meals and lodging (at state rates) and will also pay a small stipend of $125 per eight-hour work day. The department will also reimburse each participant's district $70 per day to go toward substitute pay if necessary.

The Data Review Work Groups are charged with the important task of reviewing Dakota STEP field test items to determine whether they should be included in future years’ tests.

The Data Review Work Groups will be separated into the following grade spans:
--Reading (grade spans of 3-6; 7-8 and 11)
--Mathematics (grade spans of 3-6; 7-8 and 11)
--Science (grade spans of 5, 8 and 11).

The Data Review work groups will meet July 10 in Sioux Falls.

Teachers may be nominated for this work using the links below. Selected participants will be notified with more details via email once the work groups have been selected. April 30 is the deadline to nominate. Email Gay Pickner with any questions.

Mathematics Data Review
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dElmOUt0UFJGVXRoclh2emZtNFBtWFE6MA#gid=0

Reading Data Review
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFhZOEF4Y3F5VXpVNG90dTV6UERzMlE6MA#gid=0

Science Data Review
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHhsaU9TV3YzdDhyYThjc1AxcDZkZUE6MA#gid=0

ESA 5 provides anti-bullying training

ESA 5 is pleased to announce its newest training opportunity entitled, "Bullying, Cyber-bullying and 21st Century Citizenship." The training moves beyond statistics and engages students with stories and songs.

The program for PK-6th grade focuses on the story of rescue dog Starbuck. His experiences become the backdrop for online safety, bullying, cyber-bullying and appropriate cell phone behavior.

The program for grades 7-12 focuses on empowering students to make good decisions as they navigate in the digital world. This informative presentation stresses positive behavior while increasing awareness of the responsibilities of having a presence on the Internet or cell phone. ESA 5 tailors their presentation formats to the unique needs of each district.

Go to http://sdesa.k12.sd.us/esa5/resources/AntiBullying_Flyer.pdf or email Erin.Dale@k12.sd.us for more information.

Upcoming Events

Board of Education meeting
March 19, via conference call
Early Childhood Education Conference
April 12-14, Spearfish
26th Annual TIE Conference
April 15-17, Sioux Falls
21st Century Community Learning Centers
May 29-30, Pierre

Board of Education meeting

Early Childhood Education Conference

26th Annual TIE Conference

21st Century Community Learning Centers Conference