Quarterly Update

Quarterly Update Blue Ribbon Commission’s Recommendations of the 2009 Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT)

Erasure InvestigationDr. Beverly L. HallSuperintendent

Atlanta Public Schools

November 1, 2010

Quarterly UpdateAgenda

▪Background▪Overview▪Update on BRC Recommendations▪Next Steps

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Background▪Blue Ribbon Commission’s report included 29

recommendations:–Security (including Caveon’s recommendations)–Process–Leadership–Comparison

▪Recommendation Owners–Each recommendation was assigned to a division and

individual owner–Each owner is a member of the senior leadership

team with functional responsibility that aligns with the recommendation

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Overview

▪Twenty-nine recommendations outlined in the BRC report–Each recommendation to date has a status of

one of the following:• Complete• In Progress•On Hold

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Security Recommendations

▪Security recommendations encompass:–Developing a comprehensive test security

plan that includes best-in-class test administration procedures–Continuing to research and understand the

high number of erasures–Reinforcing and communicating existing

testing policies and any new policies or changes

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BRC Security Recommendation 1– Implement a well-defined program for follow-up and continued

monitoring of CRCT Test Security. A commitment by APS to a thorough follow-up should be formal and public. These efforts should be implemented by the next testing period if possible and evaluated subsequently for effectiveness

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update– An updated program has been disseminated and will be enhanced

annually with appropriate guidelines–Work is ongoing to develop a plan to conduct regular internal audits

for each CRCT – The APS Test Security Manual will be posted on the district website


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BRC Security Recommendation 2–Research and identify causes of the unusually high number of

erasures within the district and identify and implement best practices in test preparation across the district

Status: On Hold

Administration’s Update–The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement has only

partially fulfilled the district’s requests for 2009 CRCT erasure data–Limited CRCT test data for 2009 has been analyzed to the

extent possible–The district will continue to implement best practices in test

preparation and administration


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BRC Security Recommendation 3– Reinforce APS' testing policies and procedures, and ensure that all

appropriate training takes place for employees involved in the administration of the CRCT

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update– Standardized school-level pre-administration protocols and forms

have been updated – A year-long training schedule has been enhanced for all main test

administrations– Security measures and annual enhancements are posted to the

district website annually– All APS staff involved with testing have more clearly defined

security duties and responsibilities


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BRC Security Recommendation 4– Communicate a policy that emphasizes ethics and accountability

for adherence to the policies and training requirements -- as well as the ramifications for violating such policies and requirements

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update– Communication regarding policy training, inclusive of ethics and

accountability, has been been provided to employees district-wide– Testing workshops reinforce and review ethics policies– Employees are required to annually acknowledge receipt and

understanding of district ethics policies


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BRC Security Recommendation 5–Formally document any policy or schedule changes

related to the CRCT test materials (i.e., changes in return time or dates of the delivery of the CRCTs to/from the Brewer Test Center)

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update–A plan has been implemented to formally document

changes in test distribution and collection schedules


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BRC Security Recommendation 6–Establish a test security plan and ongoing budget

for test security

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update–The APS Test Security Manual (comprehensive test

security plan) is completed–Test security budget is established and will be re-

evaluated annually–Completed a facilities assessment to determine

opportunities for improved security


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BRC Security Recommendation 7–Implement annual compliance and ethics certifications

and approvals (for all employees involved in testing – including central office personnel, teachers, test coordinators, assistant principals, principals, and School Reform Team executive directors)

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update–Ongoing testing workshops reinforce and review

ethics policies–Employees are required to acknowledge receipt of

training before they are involved in any testing


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BRC Security Recommendation 8–Establish ongoing external monitoring and reporting

for standardized testing at all APS schools

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update–The district trains all APS testing monitors–External monitors will be requested from the Georgia

Department of Education annually

Process Recommendations

▪The process recommendations involve:–Following up to ensure immediate assistance

is given to students impacted by testing irregularities–Developing a plan to track implementation of

all of the recommendations–Following up on the results of the

investigation–Enhancing existing protocols for future CRCT

administrations and new audit routines

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BRC Process Recommendation 1– Commit publicly to aggressively follow-up on the results of the

investigation by establishing a well-defined plan to consider the findings and recommendations in this report, conduct additional investigations where necessary, and take whatever administrative, legal, and professional action that APS considers appropriate

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update– Presented a response and plan of action to the ABE and public on

August 16, 2010– Presenting first quarterly report today, November 1, 2010– Full cooperation with investigations conducted by the Governor’s

Office


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BRC Process Recommendation 2–Develop a plan that includes a project leader, clear

objectives, work plan, schedule and deliverables

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update–A project leader has been appointed–APS Project Management Methodology has been

implemented


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BRC Process Recommendation 3–Conduct further investigation of the referred

individuals within the Identified Schools and take whatever administrative, legal or professional action APS considers appropriate

Status: On Hold

Administration’s Update– The PSC approved 27 of 108 referred individuals– APS is providing full cooperation with the special

investigation


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BRC Process Recommendation 4–Conduct an analysis of individual student performance of

those students APS determines may have been impacted by testing irregularities to determine if additional academic assistance and support are needed. If support is warranted, immediate action should be taken to mobilize appropriate assistance for the students for as long as necessary

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update–All identified students received services in the 12-week

Accelerated Academic Recovery Program–Regular communications with parents


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BRC Process Recommendation 5–Develop protocols to pro-actively conduct erasure

analysis after future CRCT administrations

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update–District has protocols to request CRCT data files and

to conduct erasure analysis–APS will continue to research and implement best-

in-class security and testing practices


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BRC Process Recommendation 6–Develop regular internal audit routines for each

administration of the CRCT focused on: test security protocols; test administration; and detailed APS erasure analysis

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–APS Internal Auditor is developing a plan to conduct

regular audits for each CRCT test administration


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BRC Process Recommendation 7–Document any testing irregularities identified and specific

plans for follow-up and resolution, including referrals to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and/or Fulton County District Attorney's Office, as appropriate

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–Cross-divisional meetings are taking place to document

process flow for reporting irregularities

Leadership Recommendations

▪Leadership recommendations involve–Driving culture change–Re-assessing current incentive, performance

and evaluation systems–Utilizing new forms of review and feedback–Publishing and addressing any additional

findings related to the 2009 testing period–Reinforcing and communicating existing,

supporting policies

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BRC Leadership Recommendation 1–Drive culture change throughout the district to create an

environment that effectively balances attention to measurable student outcomes with attention to positive, ethical behavior

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–Modified the APS Balanced Scorecard objective of building

a culture of alignment and accountability to include ethics–Aligning with the Effective Teacher in Every Classroom

(ETEC) and Race to the Top initiatives


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 2–Proactively re-assess incentive systems and

performance evaluation processes for all district employees with a focus on achieving this appropriate balance

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–Planning for this recommendation is in progress as

part of the Effective Teacher in Every Classroom (ETEC) and Race to the Top initiatives


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 3–Establish annual goals and performance plans that

include a significant emphasis on leadership, integrity and ethics

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–Align annual performance goals and objectives to the

APS Balanced Scorecard–Leadership emphasis on ensuring implementation of

the test security plan with integrity and providing site-based ethics training


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 4–Incorporate self-assessment into the annual plan

evaluation processes for leadership (i.e. principals, assistant principals, curriculum leaders, School Reform Team executive directors and central office personnel)

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–The district is incorporating the GA DOE Leader Keys

Self-Assessment tool into the annual plan evaluation process for leadership (school, SRT and CLL)


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 5–Incorporate surveys of teachers and support staff

into annual performance planning for principals to provide qualitative evidence on principal performance

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–The school climate survey instruments are currently

being reviewed


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 6–Provide observations of principals, which may include

shadowing or other efforts, for assessments of leadership ability compared to the critical skills determined for the position. Incorporate data on observed behaviors into the annual assessment process for leaders to assess their competency relative to those skills deemed to be critical for each position

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–The 2010-2011 instructional site visit schedule has been

finalized and visits are in progress–Category I Schools are the focus of these audits


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 7–Provide opportunities for regular, anonymous peer and

upward feedback (i.e. teacher-to-teacher, teacher-to-assistant/principal, teacher-to-test coordinator, principal-to-executive director) as well as processes for following through and managing this information

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–Standardizing school climate surveys–Administering systemic climate surveys in district schools– Implementing recommendations for improvement and

leadership professional development


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 8–Conduct principal peer reviews and incorporate this

information into annual evaluation processes

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–Principals will visit each other’s schools and make

observations (peer review process)


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 9–Provide the ABE additional recommendations on

plans to monitor the principals and other leaders of the schools being referred by the BRC

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–Reassigned 12 principals–Provided additional monitoring and instructional

support to those schools


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 10–Reinforce and publicize externally and internally APS'

policies that protect APS employees who report misconduct or violations from reprisals, retaliation, and other hostile workplace actions

Status: Complete

Administration’s Update–Launched the new external hotline and updated information

on district’s website–Policies specific to work place ethics have been shared

through appropriate notice to all employees and enhanced with appropriate training


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 11–Publish additional findings made with respect to

events that may have occurred during the 2009 testing period

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update–A communication plan has been developed and is

being implemented–The district website is being utilized for regular

updates


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BRC Leadership Recommendation 12–Given that the findings relate to events that may have occurred

during the 2009 CRCT and that personnel changes may have occurred since that time period, APS must provide appropriate support for the implementation of recommendations by the current leadership of schools

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update– Leadership and staff are being provided support and training– Resources have been identified to implement the

recommendations– An educational specialist is supporting and monitoring

implementation of recommendations

CRCT Comparison Recommendations

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▪BRC CRCT Comparison recommendations encompass:–Additional recommendations focused on the

findings related to the comparison of the 2009 and 2010 CRCT results


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BRC CRCT Comparison Recommendation 1– Given the high number of declines in Math, the BRC recommends that APS

conduct a broad assessment of Math outcomes to further determine the root causes of the declines. This assessment should include, but not be limited to, a review of the curriculum and schools/teachers where the declines were most dramatic, as well as an assessment of the effectiveness of current teaching methods

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update– Analyses to determine probable root causes are in progress– Updated APS alignment of math curriculum to mirror GA DOE Scope and

Sequence– Training of mathematics coaches in new alignment and areas of content

weakness is in progress– 12 week Accelerated Academic Recovery Program (Mathematics Navigator)

supports this recommendation


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BRC CRCT Comparison Recommendation 2– There are 33 schools that demonstrated a significant decline in the

2010 CRCT test results. The BRC computed this number by looking at two factors - - the number of declines in grade/subject combinations, as well as 10% or greater increase in failure rates. The BRC recommends that the District conduct a further in-depth assessment in these schools

Status: In Progress

Administration’s Update– A list of variables required to begin research has been developed–Once the assessment is complete, the district will provide support,

progress monitoring and targeted intervention strategies for the selected schools to improve instructional quality

Next Steps

▪Remain committed to implementing 100% of recommendations

▪ Continue collaborative effort across divisions and departments as appropriate

▪ Ensure full implementation, continue to utilize:–APS Project Management Methodology–Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for reporting progress in the

various departments/divisions▫Weekly reports to senior staff▫Quarterly reports to ABE

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Our highest responsibility is to provide the bestpossible education for our students in everyclassroom and in every school. We will continuethe implementation of the recommendationsfrom the BRC investigative report while stayingfocused on our main purpose – greater studentachievement

Closing

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Quarterly Update

Documents

Transcript of Quarterly Update