Learning Services Update Fall 2014

LEARNING SERVICES UPDATEFALL 2014

Debbie Jones, Assistant Commissioner

Stacy Smith, Director Curriculum & Instruction

Hope Allen, Director Assessment

Arkansas Department of Education

Revised October 20, 2014

Learning Services Division Organizational Chart

Alternative Education

• Professional Development• Learning Services Support

Curriculum & Instruction

Distance Learning Services

• Charter/Home Schools• Educational Renewal Zones (ERZs)• Scholastic Audit• School Health Services• Schools of Innovation

Educational Options

• 21st CCLC• Even Start• McKinney-Vento• SI Grants• Title I• Title IV• Title VI

Federal Programs

Gifted/Talented & Advanced Placement

Guidance/School Counseling

Migrant Education

Special Education

Student Assessment


Digital Learning

• Act 1280-provided for expansion of digital learning opportunities for kids

• Blended- instruction in the classroom complimented with online instruction

• Online Instruction- instruction & content are delivered online

• Approved Provider Courses


http://www.arkansased.org/public/userfiles/Learning_Services/Digital_Learning/ADE_Approved_Digital_Provider_Courses.pdf

4.04 “Highly Qualified Teacher” means a teacher who holds at least a Bachelor’s Degree and has demonstrated subject area competence in each of the core academic subjects in which the teacher teaches. A highly qualified teacher that delivers digital learning courses under these rules is not required to be licensed as a teacher or administrator by the State Board of Education.

Note: Federal laws or regulations may require teachers in certain subject areas to hold a teaching license (e.g., special education teachers who teach core academic subjects).

Core Subjects requiring license include: English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, geography.


Virtual Arkansas

• Core• Alternative Education• Career & Technical• Concurrent Credit• Content only• Home-Grown

http://virtualarkansas.org/

Cathi Swan, State Coordinator of K12 Distance Learning




Virtual Arkansas

• Follow iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Courses

• 20,000 registered students & 1,900 on waiting list• All courses are ADE approved• Arkansas certified teachers• 2 days/week minimum face to face instruction


Cathi Swan, State Coordinator of K12 Distance Learning




SCHOOLS OF INNOVATIONInnovation not Evasion

Application Due: March 1, 2015

Application


http://www.arkansased.org/public/userfiles/Learning_Services/Schools_of_Innovation_Plan/SOI_instructions.pdf

Schools of Innovation

2014-2015 Schools of Innovation Posted

Goals & Performance Targets• Reduce achievement gap• Increase student participation in curriculum options• College and career readiness• Motivating students by exploring innovative teaching &

learning• Transform a school’s culture• Better prepared students for success in life and career• Innovative practices


http://www.arkansased.org/public/userfiles/Learning_Services/Schools_of_Innovation_Plan/2014_2015_Schools_of_Innovation.pdf

ASSESSMENT UPDATEWhat to Plan for in 2014-2015

Hope Allen, Director of Assessment


Assessments for 2014-2015 Test Audience

Fall PARCC PBA & EOY 9-12 on 4x4 Block

ITBS Grade 1-2

QELI Kindergarten

ELDA ELL Students

Biology EOC Biology Students

NCSC Significant Cognitive Disabilities (1%)Spring PARCC PBA & EOY

3-10 ELA, 3-8 Math, Algebra I, Geometry *Algebra II & 11 ELA Optional

Science Portfolio Grade 5, 7 and 10

Science Benchmark Grade 5 and 7 Explore/Plan/ ACT or PSAT Grade 8/Grade 10/ Grade 11

Highlighted fields indicate changes from 2013


Science

• There are no changes in science.

• Students will be tested in grades 5, 7 and for Biology with the Augmented Benchmark and End-of-Course Exams.

• Students who qualify will complete science-only portfolios in grades 5, 7 & 10.


Major Changes for 2014-2015• The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College

and Careers (PARCC) tests align to the CCSS

• All 3-10 students that do not qualify for NCSC

• The National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC) alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities align to the CCSS

• Only about 1% of students


PARCC Assessments

• Required

• ELA/Literacy at grades 3 – 10

• Math at grades 3 - 8

• End-of-Course

• Algebra I

• Geometry

• District Choice

• Grade 11 ELA

• Algebra II

Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers


PARCC Updates• Administration of Grade 11 ELA/Literacy and/or Algebra II is

optional per the ADE.

• Districts may decide to administer one or both assessments

• See Commissioner’s Memo LS-15-027

• Students in grade 8 or below enrolled in Algebra I/Geometry/Algebra II will take only the end-of-course assessment.

• Change in ELA/Literacy test design at Grades 3 – 5 has reduced the EOY to ONE unit.


Math Portfolio

• The 9th grade math portfolio will no longer be used

• Students who have significant cognitive disabilities will be assessed for math in high school in 11th grade with NCSC.

• Students who do not have significant cognitive disabilities will take a PARCC high school math assessment…

…even if they are in a special education class.



Changes for Students with Disabilities in High School Math

• Students with disabilities can take one, two or three of the PARCC EOC math assessments, as determined by their IEP team.

• Only required to take one PARCC EOC math assessment in high school.

• Students must receive a full year of instruction in the course that will be assessed.

• Algebra 1 is a pre-requisite to Geometry.


PARCC Assessment Design

Summative Assessments

Performance-Based

Assessment

End-of-Year Assessment+

After 75 percent of the school year Extended tasks, applications of concepts and

skills ELA/Literacy: Writing effectively when analyzing

text, research simulation Math: Solving multi-step problems requiring

abstract reasoning, precision, perseverance and strategic use of tools

All grades and courses

After 90 percent of the school year Innovative, short-answer items

ELA/Literacy: Reading comprehension

Math: Short items that address both concepts and skills

All grades and courses

All students take both components for a final PARCC score


Scheduling PARCC - Unit Times


Fall Block

• PBA Window

• December 1 – December 19

• EOY Window

• December 15 – January 16

• Schools must schedule all assessments on 10 consecutive days within each window

• All tests will be paper based

• Schedules submitted to ADE


Spring • PBA Window

• March 9 – April 10

• EOY Window

• April 27 – May 22

• Computer Based

• Schools can set assessment schedule within the windows

• Paper Based

• Assessment schedule will be provided by ADE


• May schedule a grade cohort anywhere within the window

• Grade cohort (or course) must test same unit/session in the same day • At the same time • Back-to-back• Morning and afternoon

• Make up testing must be completed within the window

Scheduling PARCC


• Practice Tests• Classroom Instruction• Revise all LPAC, IEP and 504 plans

• There are changes in the accommodations PARCC will allow

• Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual will be released October 29th

Preparing for PARCC


PARCC Accessibility Policies

Accommodations

Built into the testAvailable to All Students

Example: magnification, highlighting, eliminate answer choices, line reader

Available to All StudentsMust be turned on in Advance

Example: answer masking, text-to-speech for mathematics, background/font color

Available through LPAC/IEP/504Must be identified in Advance

Example: Word to word dictionary, small group testing, extended time


Features for All• Are operational for all students during Computer Based

Testing

• Students should determine whether they wish to use the feature on an item-by-item basis

• Cannot be turned off

• Do not require IEP/504/LPAC


Accessibility Features for All Students

Built in Tools

• Eliminate Answer Choices

• Flag Items for Review

• Highlight

• Line Reader

• Magnifications/Enlargement Device

• NotePad

• Pop-up Glossary

• Spell Checker

• Writing Tools

• Math Tools

Other

• Audio Amplification

• Blank Paper

• General Administration Directions Clarified

• General Administration Directions Read Aloud and Repeated as Needed

• Headphones or Noise Buffers

• Redirect Students to the Test


PARCC Accessibility


Accessibility Features• Are operational for identified students during Computer

Based Testing

• Students should determine whether they wish to use the feature on an item-by-item basis

• Must be indicated in the Personal Needs Profile (PNP)

• Turned on prior to testing

• Training forthcoming this fall



Accessibility Features Identified in Advance

• Answer Masking

• Background/Font Color (Color Contrast)

• General Masking

• Text-to-Speech for the Mathematics Assessments• Headphone will be needed


Accommodations• Are available for identified students during Computer and

Paper Based Testing

• Do require IEP/504/LPAC

• It is advised to update all IEP/504/LPAC plans to reflect the PARCC wording of accommodations

• Must be documented prior to testing


English Language Learners

• Extended Time

• Word-to-Word Dictionary

• Scribe or Speech-to-Text: Responses Dictated for Mathematics Assessment in English

• General Administration Directions Read Aloud and Repeated as Needed in Student’s Native Language (by test administrator)

• General Administration Directions Clarified in Student’s Native Language (by test administrator)


Special Education

• Extended Time

• Word prediction on the ELA/Literacy PBA

• Scribing or Speech-to-Text for constructed response on ELA/Literacy, mathematics and selected response ELA/Literacy

• Calculation Device and Mathematics Tools on Non-Calculator session

• Braille Test and/or Note-taker

• Additional Assistive Technology

• ASL Video for Mathematics and Test Directions

• Closed Captioning

• Descriptive Video

• Paper-and- Pencil Edition

• Tactile Graphics

• Text-to-Speech or Video of Human Interpreter for ELA/Literacy


• School personnel must be familiar with the available features well in advance of testing

• Students must have the opportunity to use the features available to all before operational testing

• Administer tutorial and practice tests

• http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#

PARCC Accessibility

http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/

http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/


Administrative Considerations • Principal’s discretion

• Must be documented prior to testing


• Small group testing

• Frequent breaks

• Time of day

• Separate or alternate location

• Specified area or seating

• Adaptive and specialized equipment or furniture


PARCC Resources

Assessment information• http://www.parcconline.org • https://www.pearsonaccess.com (select PARCC)

Accessibility and Accommodations Manual and Appendices*: • http://www.parcconline.org/parcc-accessibility-features-and-accommodations-manual

*the appendices are separate documents and contain vital information for planning

New version coming in Fall 2015

http://www.parcconline.org/

http://www.parcconline.org/

https://www.pearsonaccess.com/

http://www.parcconline.org/parcc-accessibility-features-and-accommodations-manual

http://www.parcconline.org/parcc-accessibility-features-and-accommodations-manual


Upcoming Trainings• PARCC Administration Procedures Training

• November 6 – 21• 9 sites around the state from ADE

• Pearson Regional Training• November 3rd

• Benton Event Center • 9:00am - 3:00pm

• Accommodations Training• Early November• Webinar from ADE

Dates will be sent to District Testing Coordinators


For students with significant cognitive disabilities

An alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards

Will replace the Alternate Portfolio in Literacy and Math

A student’s IEP team will determine if this assessment is appropriate to administer using the NCSC Participation Guidelines

If NCSC is not appropriate the student will take the PARCC Assessment

NCSC* Alternate Assessment

NCSC* is pronounced like “nick-sick”

http://www.ncscpartners.org/Media/Default/PDFs/Resources/NCSC_Participation_Guidelines-Nov-2013.pdf


Math and ELA testing

Grades 3 – 8

Grade 11

Administered online

Approximately 1.5 - 2 hours per content area

NCSC Alternate Assessment


NCSC Big shifts

• Online test administration

• HS math testing at grade 11

• no math portfolio at grade 9

• Resource math class does not determine the math

assessment

• NCSC – most significant cognitive disabilities ~ 1%

• PARCC – resource students not qualifying for NCSC

• Refer to Commissioner’s Memos LS-14-076 and LS-14-065

for updated course code and assessment information

http://adesharepoint2.arkansas.gov/memos/Lists/Approved%20Memos/DispForm2.aspx?ID=1218

http://adesharepoint2.arkansas.gov/memos/Lists/Approved%20Memos/DispForm2.aspx?ID=1187


Assessment Contacts• Hope Allen – Director

• [email protected]• 501-682-5762

• Susan Gray – PARCC• [email protected]• 501-682-4559

• Charlotte Marvel - NCSC• [email protected]• 501-682-5296

mailto:[email protected]




CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION UPDATE


Act 1294 Dyslexia

The Arkansas State Legislature enacted Act 1294 of 2013, codified as A.C.A. § 6-41-601, Title 6, Subtitle 3, et al., to ensure that children with dyslexia have their needs met by the public school system.


ACT 1294 Dyslexia• ADE Dyslexia Webpage

The reality for schools:• Strong core reading programs• Response to Intervention• Early intervention for students with dyslexia. • Therapy for students with dyslexia K-12

http://www.arkansased.org/divisions/learning-services/curriculum-and-instruction/dyslexia


Universal ScreeningWho should be screened? According to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-41-603, a school district shall screen

1) Each student in kindergarten through grade two (K-2);

2) Kindergarten through grade 2 (K-2) students who transfer to a new school and have not been screened;

3) Kindergarten through grade 2 (K-2) students who transfer from another state and cannot present documentation that the student has had similar screening;

4) A student in grade three or higher experiencing difficulty, as noted by a classroom teacher.

Universal Reading Readiness Fact Sheet

http://www.arkansased.org/public/userfiles/Learning_Services/Dyslexia/Reading_Readiness_Screening.pdf


Now What?

Universal reading screener Tier I or II RTI

What if the student makes insufficient progress?

Based on instruction and data (teacher observations, progress

monitoring, student work, etc.) Tier II or III RTI

What if the student has characteristics of dyslexia? (Dyslexia Resource Guide Section II and Dyslexia Awareness Training)

YES characteristics of dyslexia Level 2

Dyslexia Evaluation (This is NOT a diagnosis)

Now What?

Dyslexia TherapistA.C.A. § 6-41-602

A professional who has completed training and obtained certification in dyslexia therapy from a dyslexia therapy training program approved by the Arkansas Department of Education.

Timeline:By 2015-2016, school districts shall have individuals to serve as dyslexia interventionists as defined in the Dyslexia Resource Guide who are trained interventionists by the department or using other dyslexia training programs approved by the department (A.C.A. § 6-41-607).

• Dyslexia Therapy Program and Therapist Fact Sheet

http://www.arkansased.org/public/userfiles/Learning_Services/Dyslexia/Therapist_Training_Approved_Programs_Fact_Sheet.pdf


Dyslexia Therapy• Dyslexia Therapy Program and Therapist Fact Sheet

• A dyslexia therapist is defined in the law as a professional who has completed training and obtained certification in dyslexia therapy from a dyslexia therapist training program (A.C.A. § 6-41-602).

http://www.arkansased.org/public/userfiles/Learning_Services/Dyslexia/Therapist_Training_Approved_Programs_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Three Approved Pathways

1. Temporary Approval

2. IDA and IMSLEC Certification

3. Program of Study Endorsement


Approved ProgramsIf the school district determines the following five (5) criteria are met within a dyslexia program, that program is considered approved and may be used for dyslexia. No application is required.

1. Training course is delivered by a certified trainer in the selected dyslexia program;

2. Training and program is systematic and research based;

3. Instruction is multisensory;

4. Provides small group instruction in the essential components of reading including phonemic awareness, graphophonemic knowledge, and structure of the English language, linguistic instruction and strategies for decoding, encoding word recognition, fluency and comprehension; and

5. The program is approved by another state department of education as an approved dyslexia program.

If the program meets criteria 1-4 but is not recognized as an approved program by another state department of education, the district must submit the Dyslexia Program Approval Form to [email protected].

OR

ADE approves dyslexia therapy programs that are nationally accredited by International Dyslexia Association (IDA) or International Multisensory Language Education Council (IMSLEC).



ACT 1294 Dyslexia Reality• ADE Dyslexia Webpage

The reality for schools:• Strong core reading programs• Response to Intervention• Early intervention for students in reading



ACT 1294 Dyslexia

• ADE Dyslexia Webpage

• [email protected]

• ADE Dyslexia Specialist

-Vicki King [email protected]



College & Career ReadinessA.C.A §6-15-2012

• High school shall assess student’s college readiness

• High school shall provide one or more transitional courses

• High school shall award 4th year math credit• Higher Education Coordinating Board shall exempt

from placement exam first time entering freshman those who meet readiness standards


College and Career Readiness

College and Career Readiness Assessment

• Administered PRIOR to senior year

• Approved Assessments:• PARCC 11 Grade ELA/Literacy & Algebra 2

• ACT

• PLAN

• PSAT

• ACCESS

• Compass


ACT 585 Transitional Courses:Math Ready & Literacy Ready

• Will be available in the spring of 2015 as a pilot if districts are interested (contact ADE for course code)

• 6-15-2012(e) “high schools shall award the same credit for a full mathematics transitional course as it does for a fourth-year mathematics course” (will count as Smart Core 4th math course)


Math Ready-Transition to College Algebra

• Professional Development will be offered in the summer of 2015

• Approximately 3-5 days, materials provided by SREB• Curriculum is written as a blended course taught with a

math teacher. Approximate cost to districts for curriculum $200.00 • District would need technology• Students need TI84 Calculator• Will count as student’s digital course• Link to course information: http://www.sreb.org/page/1684/

math_ready.html

http://www.sreb.org/page/1684/math_ready.html

http://www.sreb.org/page/1684/math_ready.html


Literacy Ready-Transition to College Algebra

• Professional Development will be offered in the summer of 2015

• Approximately 3-5 days, materials provided by SREB• Curriculum is written as a blended course taught with a

certified teacher• Local Credit (Not English replacement)• District would need technology

• 6 Units: 2 social science, 2 English, 2 Science

http://www.sreb.org/page/1683/literacy_ready.html




NEED MORE INFORMATION?CONTACT LEARNING SERVICES:[email protected]@[email protected]




Learning Services Update Fall 2014

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