I am personally soo excited about this news. I recieved this via email,and thought I would share the info. The email has an attachment that I would be happy to share,just email me. But one BIG thing I had to copy and paste is about accountability for remediating our kids so their FCAT scores would mean something:-) Remember a few weeks back someone was discussing the fact that ESE student scores didn’t count? Well keep reading:-)
God Bless all the parents out there who participated in the blue ribbon task force. Moving mountains for our kids:-)
From: KOSTRUB.ANNA [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 10:36 AM
Subject: FCAT Update
As you may be aware, the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Accommodations has completed their work. Chairwoman Jan Rouse presented the report and recommendations to the Florida Board of Education last week. I have attached a copy of the Executive Summary in PDF format. It does not seem to be available on the DOE website.
Many thanks go to the Governor, the members of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, and the DOE staff for their efforts on behalf of Florida’s disabled students. I attended almost every meeting and watched and listened as these Task Force members deliberated over very complex, emotional issues. I am pleased to report that the panel has done excellent work. Key recommendations include:
—multiple assessment options including expanded accommodations, as well as an alternate assessment option leading to a standard diploma
—creation of an accommodations panel to review, consider and approve or disapprove of new testing accommodations
—clearly defined appeals process
—improved communication and coordination across all school districts of policies and rule changes regarding these recommendations
This list is by no means comprehensive, but it gives you an idea of the breadth and scope of the report and its recommendations.
NEXT STEPS
Some of these recommendations will require Board action, others will require legislative changes. In its executive summary, the Task Force clearly identified those recommendations requiring immediate attention and implementation so as not to harm current seniors in the class of 2002-2003.
It is my hope that the Board of Education will act swiftly to make the changes that are within their authority to make. I am preparing legislation to implement those recommendations requiring legislative changes and will need support from across the state to ensure that my legislative colleagues are aware of the importance of this issue. I will be talking to the Governor’s Office and the Speaker later this week to ask for their support and advice on how best to move these critical issues forward.
Thanks again to the Task Force members who spent most of their summer away from their families working on these issues.
Best wishes to you and your families for a Happy Holiday season. I look forward to working with you over the coming months!
Sincerely,
Rep. Loranne Ausley
This is just one part of the summary and it is discussing results and accountability,YES!!!
F. Reporting of FCAT Results and Accountability
The Florida Legislature, Florida Board of Education, and/or Florida Department of
Education shall ensure that the following are implemented:
1) School districts shall be held accountable for the academic progress of all
students and for any needed remediation for students who do not meet grade
level benchmarks relative to the Sunshine State Standards. Therefore,
consistent with No Child Left Behind, assessment scores for all students with
disabilities shall be included in the Statewide Assessment Program in
Florida’s reporting procedures as well as accountability system.
To that end,Rule 6A-1.09982, F.A.C shall be amended.
2) Until broader assessment accommodations have been provided and
additional Alternate Assessment options leading to a standard high school
diploma have been developed and implemented within the Statewide
Assessment Program, public schools should not be penalized within the
accountability system, based on the scores of students with disabilities.
3) A methodology shall be developed for reporting student scores in a manner that
ensures score comparability across assessment options and formats within the
Statewide Assessment Program.
4) A more comprehensive and diagnostic reporting system of FCAT scores is needed
to include statistical data such as item analysis so that instructional targets for
remediation can be easily identified.
5) Technical support and guidelines for test score interpretation and use shall be
developed for parents, teachers, and educators in order to facilitate and promote
the proper use of test data to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses and
target instruction.
6) General and special education teachers must work closer together within school
districts in utilizing the reports/results of the FCAT and alternate assessment
results to develop and implement needed remediation for students with
disabilities.
Hello! read that? Needed remediation!!! Did I hear an AMEN?
n./t