Revised October 20, 2014
LEARNING SERVICES
UPDATE
FALL 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
Federal Programs
Alternative Education
Curriculum & Instruction
• Professional Development
• Learning Services Support
• 21st CCLC
• Even Start
• McKinney-Vento
• SI Grants
• Title I
• Title IV
• Title VI
Gifted/Talented & Advanced
Placement
Distance Learning Services
Guidance/School Counseling
Educational Options
•
•
•
•
•
Charter/Home Schools
Educational Renewal Zones (ERZs)
Scholastic Audit
School Health Services
Schools of Innovation
Migrant Education
Special Education
Student Assessment
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
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.
Revised October 20, 2014
Virtual Arkansas
• Core
• Alternative Education
• Career & Technical
• Concurrent Credit
• Content only
• Home-Grown
http://virtualarkansas.org/
Cathi Swan, State Coordinator of K12 Distance Learning
Revised October 20, 2014
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
http://virtualarkansas.org/
Cathi Swan, State Coordinator of K12 Distance Learning
Revised October 20, 2014
SCHOOLS OF
INNOVATION
Innovation not Evasion
Application Due: March 1, 2015
Application
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
ASSESSMENT UPDATE
What to Plan for in 2014-2015
Hope Allen, Director of Assessment
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Spring PARCC PBA &
EOY
Significant Cognitive Disabilities (1%)
3-10 ELA, 3-8 Math, Algebra I, Geometry
*Algebra II & 11 ELA Optional
Science Portfolio
Grade 5, 7 and 10
Science Benchmark
Explore/Plan/ ACT or
PSAT
Grade 5 and 7
Grade 8/Grade 10/ Grade 11
Highlighted fields indicate changes from 2013
Revised October 20, 2014
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.
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
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.
Revised October 20, 2014
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.
Revised October 20, 2014
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.
Revised October 20, 2014
PARCC Assessment Design
Summative Assessments
Performance
-Based
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
End-of-Year
Assessment
 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
Revised October 20, 2014
Scheduling PARCC - Unit Times
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
Scheduling PARCC
• 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
Revised October 20, 2014
Preparing for 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
Revised October 20, 2014
PARCC ACCESSIBILITY POLICIES
Built into the test
Available to All Students
Features for
All Students
Accessibility
Features
Identified in advance
Accommodations
Example: magnification, highlighting,
eliminate answer choices, line reader
Available to All Students
Must be turned on in Advance
Example: answer masking, text-to-speech
for mathematics, background/font color
Available through LPAC/IEP/504
Must be identified in Advance
Example: Word to word dictionary, small
group testing, extended time
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
Accessibility Features for All Students
Built in Tools
• Eliminate Answer Choices
• Flag Items for Review
Other
• Audio Amplification
• Blank Paper
• Highlight
• Line Reader
• Magnifications/Enlargement Device
• NotePad
• Pop-up Glossary
• Spell Checker
• General Administration
Directions Clarified
• General Administration
Directions Read Aloud and
Repeated as Needed
• Writing Tools
• Headphones or Noise Buffers
• Math Tools
• Redirect Students to the Test
Revised October 20, 2014
PARCC Accessibility
Revised October 20, 2014
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
• Do not require IEP/504/LPAC
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
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)
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
PARCC Accessibility
• 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/#
Revised October 20, 2014
Administrative Considerations
• Principal’s discretion
• Must be documented prior to testing
• Do not require IEP/504/LPAC
• Small group testing
• Frequent breaks
• Time of day
• Separate or alternate location
• Specified area or seating
• Adaptive and specialized equipment or furniture
Revised October 20, 2014
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-accessibilityfeatures-and-accommodations-manual
*the appendices are separate documents and contain vital information
for planning
New version coming in Fall 2015
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
Revised October 20, 2014
NCSC* Alternate Assessment

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* is pronounced like “nick-sick”
Revised October 20, 2014
NCSC Alternate Assessment
Math and ELA testing


Grades 3 – 8

Grade 11

Administered online

Approximately 1.5 - 2 hours per content area
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
Assessment Contacts
• Hope Allen – Director
• Hope.Allen@arkansas.gov
• 501-682-5762
• Susan Gray – PARCC
• Susan.Gray@arkansas.gov
• 501-682-4559
• Charlotte Marvel - NCSC
• Charlotte.Marvel@arkansas.gov
• 501-682-5296
Revised October 20, 2014
CURRICULUM AND
INSTRUCTION UPDATE
Revised October 20, 2014
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.
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
Universal Screening
Who 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
Revised October 20, 2014
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)
Dyslexia Therapist
A.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. § 6-41607).
• Dyslexia Therapy Program and Therapist Fact Sheet
Revised October 20, 2014
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. § 641-602).
Three Approved Pathways
1. Temporary Approval
2. IDA and IMSLEC Certification
3. Program of Study Endorsement
Revised October 20, 2014
Approved Programs
If 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 ADE.dyslexia@arkansas.gov.
OR
ADE approves dyslexia therapy programs that are nationally accredited by International
Dyslexia Association (IDA) or International Multisensory Language Education Council
(IMSLEC).
Revised October 20, 2014
ACT 1294 Dyslexia Reality
• ADE Dyslexia Webpage
The reality for schools:
• Strong core reading programs
• Response to Intervention
• Early intervention for students in reading
Revised October 20, 2014
ACT 1294 Dyslexia
• ADE Dyslexia Webpage
• ADE.Dyslexia@arkansas.gov
• ADE Dyslexia Specialist
-Vicki King vicki.king@arkansas.gov
Revised October 20, 2014
College & Career Readiness
A.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
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
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)
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
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
Revised October 20, 2014
NEED MORE
INFORMATION?
CONTACT LEARNING SERVICES:
Debbie.Jones@arkansas.gov
Hope.Allen@arkansas.gov
Stacy.Smith@arkansas.gov