American Diploma Project:Aligning high school standards and

assessments with postsecondary and new economy needs

Kentucky P-16 Council Meeting

June 10, 2003

ADP State Policy Panels

• Review Research Findings: Legal, Workplace and Postsecondary (“Gap Analysis”) Studies

• Consider policy options for meeting ADP goals– Use of standards-based assessment data in

high school graduation, college admissions/placement and hiring decisions

• Develop plan for meeting ADP goals and closing gaps between current standards/assessments and postsecondary and employer expectations over time

Summary of Gap Analysis: Kentucky ELA• Some essential content missing in core

content standards• Standards could be more precise• Quality and complexity of reading not

defined

• Cognitive challenge of tests doesn’t align to postsecondary expectations

• Writing assessment might be useful now for placement purposes (scoring guide good)

• “Proficient” anchors don’t reflect P.S. needs• Need analytical writing component

Summary of Gap Analysis: Kentucky Math

• Some content (math-dependent fields) is missing in core content standards

• Math assessment missing essential algebra II content

• Cognitive challenge of tests doesn’t align to postsecondary expectations

• Disconnect between math assessment, core content standards and program of studies

Other Issues: Math and ELA

• Tests do not generate individual scores

• Scores are not reported by domain and item type

• Some assessments administered too early?

• Consistency between the recommendations of ADP and KY’s P-16 Alignment Teams

KY ADP Policy Panel Recommendations

• Comprehensive

• Short- and long-term needs addressed

• Shared responsibilities

• Emphasis on communications

Developing ADP Draft Benchmarks

• Synthesize workplace and postsecondary expectations (Create draft benchmarks) (Winter 2003)

• Supervise Content Expert/Employer Panels (Spring - Summer 2003)

• Circulate draft benchmarks (Spring – Summer 2003)

• Establish National Annual Forum (Fall, 2003)• Conduct campaign encouraging use of

benchmarks by all states

Outstanding Issues/Next Steps

• Including rationale statements

• Describing quality and complexity of reading

• Defining quantity of writing assignments

• Describing math content v. course names

• Identifying strong examples from the workplace and postsecondary classrooms (where appropriate, cross-domain examples)

Circulation of Draft Benchmarks in KY

• Northern Kentucky P-16 Councilo -- Math Taskforce (K-12 and

Postsecondary)o -- Writing Portfolio Project Committeeo -- Employers Advisory Council

• KY Chamber of Commerce• -- June 16th and 17th Discussion

Groups

National Circulation of Benchmarks: Summer 2003

• ADP partner-state meeting June 23

• Web-based survey

• Distribution via national organizations

• Further distribution via ADP partner-

state networks