REPORTS TO THE BOARD

Teaching and Learning Report

To: Michael Green

From: Asha Riley 

Date: June 20, 2018 

Re: Teaching and Learning

The most recent Smarter Balanced Assessment results are posted below. At this time, most student scores have been scored in each grade.  When I review and present the data in the fall, I expect some subtle shifts in the numbers but these are fairly good idea of our achievement results for the 2017-18 school year.

Five:

Five is a small but significant number. As in years past, we had a handful of students who achieved all graduation requirements except passing their state tests.  After repeated attempts to pass state tests, five students in the class of 2018 still had this single barrier to their diploma. I am happy to report that we were able to help all five students in this situation achieve their high school diploma through a new avenue created by the legislature.  Last year, the legislature passed ESHB 2224 which created an expedited appeal process for waiving specific assessment graduation requirements for eligible students in the class of 2014-2018. I have outlined below how a student can qualify to apply for the waiver and the approval requirements that must be met for their waiver to be granted.  

Congratulations to the high school counselors who worked diligently to demonstrate each of these five students qualified for the waiver and met the approval requirements!

Expedited Assessment Appeals Waiver:

Some students in the classes of 2014 through 2018 may be eligible to have their assessment graduation requirements (English language arts (ELA), math, or both) waived. The waiver requires that the student, through one of several pathways, demonstrate that he/she has attained the skills and knowledge to meet the high school standards and possesses the skills necessary to successfully achieve the college or career goals established in his or her high school and beyond plan.

• For the Classes of 2014 through 2017: An eligible student must have completed all other applicable graduation requirements (e.g., all graduation credits, High School and Beyond Plan, etc.).
• For the Class of 2018: An eligible student must:
  1. Have completed all other applicable graduation requirements (e.g., all graduation credits, High School and Beyond Plan, etc.);
  2. -AND-
  3. Have attempted an alternative assessment option as established in RCW 28A.655.065 prior to submitting a waiver request. Alternative assessment options include SAT, ACT, AP, or IB tests; GPA comparison; Collections of Evidence submitted by June 2017; or Certificate of Individual Achievement options (for applicable students with IEPs). Documentation may be required to verify an attempt at an alternative.

Approval Requirements

RCW 28A.655.065 states that an Expedited Assessment Appeals Waiver can only be approved if the eligible student has, through use of the pathways listed below, demonstrated the “the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the high school graduation standard and that the student has the skills necessary to successfully achieve the college or career goals established in his or her high school and beyond plan.”

Pathways for demonstrating include, but are not limited to:

(A) Successful completion of a college level class in the relevant subject area

(B) Admission to a higher education institution or career preparation program

(C) Award of a scholarship for higher education

(D) Enlistment in a branch of the military