March Update: State Testing and Graduation Requirements
- WAC and district testing compliance
- Testing students who are not on a high school diploma track
- Graduation Requirements
- Using results for IAPs
- Best practices around state testing
It's that time of year for state testing!
When students enroll in your program, they need to have a standardized assessment administered within the first 30 days of enrollment, or valid scores (any standardized test that measures ELA and math) from the prior 6 months.
In addition, each spring we administer the Smarter Balance (SBAC) and End of Course (EOC) state assessments, and Open Doors students are required to be included in that process. Data for the Open Doors students is included in the school and state accountability metrics.
The date for recording an IAP is upon receipt of the state assessment result - not when the test was taken. An IAP may be earned for each assessment passed.
Statewide student assessment.
(1) All reengagement programs will ensure that students participate in the statewide assessment of student learning to fulfill the minimum requirements for high school graduation and comply with state and federal school accountability requirements.
(2) A district, tribal compact school, charter school, direct funded technical college, or educational service district that has been assigned a school code by OSPI is required to administer the required statewide assessments for each enrolled student and cohort as defined by WAC 392-700-035 (1)(c).
(3) The program staff is not required to be direct-test administrators but may act in this capacity with the approval of the district, tribal compact school, charter school, direct funded technical college, or educational service district that has been assigned a school code, which will be responsible for the appropriate training of agency or college staff.
(4) Program students will be included when calculating school and state statistics in relation to the statewide assessments.
District assessments
In addition to the WAC, your district may have other required assessments that your program will need to administer: MAP, STAR, benchmark, etc.
Use scores for IAPs!
Once you receive the results of these assessments, passing scores on the SBAC/EOC and leveled-up scores on district standardized assessments can make an IAP!
Testing students who are not on the high school track
Students who are not on a path toward a high school diploma (GED, Job skills only) are not required to pass the state assessments, however, as stated in the WAC, they are required to participate with their cohort for federal and state accountability purposes. This does not prevent parents/adult students from choosing to refuse participation in the testing (in writing, and saved in the student's cumulative file).
Your district has a state and national requirement for a minimum of 95 percent of enrolled students to take the state assessments. [WA ESSA Consolidated Plan A.4.vii, per ESSA 1111(c)(4)(E)(iii)]. If you help your district, they will be more inclined to help you!
Plus, these scores could result in an IAP!
Some districts provide credits for passing state assessments, but note that reaching one achievement is one IAP - a student cannot earn two IAPs (credit + passing score) for one test result.
Supporting students & programs
State assessments also provide a basis to intentionally improve both academic and non-academic supports that may more broadly improve academic growth; and, they are extremely helpful for programs to
understand how well they are preparing individual students.
The data:
- provides where they student is toward the grade level expectations;
- demonstrates if the student is showing growth compared to their peers;
- helps schools identify where challenges exist overall, and with specific
student groups.
When considering the assessments as one of their tools of continuous
improvement, schools have seen benefits in how they approach and track
improvements to their existing system of supports.
Graduation Requirements
Upon enrolling a student into your Open Doors program, be sure to use the graduation requirements of the student's grad year as assigned by their first entry to 9th grade.
State Board of Education's graduation requirements:
http://www.sbe.wa.gov/graduation.php
OSPI's graduation requirements:
http://www.k12.wa.us/GraduationRequirements/default.aspx
Core 24: Beginning with the class of 2019 and beyond, Core 24 is in place for graduation credit requirements, unless your district has received a waiver for the district/program/individual student: http://www.sbe.wa.gov/waivers.php#graduationwaiver
http://www.sbe.wa.gov/documents/GradRequirements/GradFAQ062016.pdf
(#18-19)
District graduation requirements: Some districts also require a culminating project for a high school diploma - be sure you know your district's requirements beyond the state requirements, and how they may have been adapted through board policy for students in reengagement programs.
Using the Results for Indicators of Academic Progress (IAPs)
As mentioned above, IAPs can be attained:
- upon receipt of passing SBAC/EOC scores
- through increased level achievement in district standardized assessments
- completion of any graduation requirement, including
- High School & Beyond Plan,
- state test,
- culminating project, or
- each 0.25 credit earned.
Be sure to have a solid practice in place for documenting these IAPs in the student file.
Best Practices for State Testing in Open Doors Programs
- Include staff from on- and off-site Open Doors programs in
all district assessment trainings.
- Find
out who the District Testing and School Coordinators are, and work with them ahead of time to plan for testing outside
of normal school hours, to ensure staff have access to technology and software
such as TIDE, and that computers are ready with testing software, rosters, and logins.
- Allow students to test at the site they attend on a regular basis.
- Every day in the state testing window is an opportunity. Give students that opportunity
even if they enroll on the last day of the window.
- Work with special education case managers to review IEPs and ensure
students have access to any off grade level testing and/or accommodations.
Next Month: Special Education & 504 Plans
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