Good afternoon. I’m pleased to be able to report on some
very important accomplishments during the past week and to let you know about
several upcoming events. Today’s
message will discuss:
Assessment
and Accountability Task Force
The Task Force met in
ISAT
and PSAE –
The Task Force received more than 332 responses to its draft proposal (see SBE
website – insert link), with comments ranging from “Go for it!” to “No
assessments are acceptable.” After
reviewing this input, as well as that received during the hearings and earlier
meetings of the Task Force, the group affirmed the sense of direction
presented in the draft proposal and approved the following recommendations
to the State Board.
o
On
or about July 2003, a contract will be awarded via RFSP to develop an enhanced
ISAT (ISAT 2006) criterion-referenced test for reading, math, science, social
science and writing based on the Illinois Learning Standards, and writing at
grades 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 (grade 10 on a voluntary basis) [see
chart].
o
This
task force recommends to the State Board of Education adoption and
implementation of the following chart (including its footnotes) by
2005-06.
Chart
of Subject Matter and Grade-level Assessment
Proposal******
|
GRADE |
2* |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11** |
|
Required |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
X |
x |
x |
X |
|
|
x |
|
Mathematics |
x |
x |
x |
X |
x |
x |
X |
|
|
x |
|
Writing*** |
|
x |
x |
|
x |
|
X |
|
|
x |
|
Science**** |
|
|
x |
|
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
|
Social Science**** |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
|
|
x |
|
Voluntary/State
Paid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPLORE***** |
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
x |
|
|
|
PLAN***** |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
x |
|
|
Writing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
x |
|
*
In order to hold all schools accountable, school buildings which have second
grade as their highest grade and are Title I funded must offer a standard
assessment as required by ISBE.
**
The
***
The writing assessment shall be sequenced at grades 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 (voluntary),
and 11. Grade 3 students will write
one expository essay; grade 4 students will write one essay in either the
expository or persuasive mode; grades 6 and 8 students will write two essays in
the expository, persuasive or narrative mode. Tenth grade students on a voluntary
basis will write two essays in the expository, persuasive or narrative
mode. Grade 11 students will write
as part of the PSAE. The writing
assessment in grades 3, 4, 6 and 8 will include selected response language items
assessing such areas as spelling, capitalization, mechanics/usage, and editing,
as may be appropriate.
****ISAT
Science tests include sampling items for Physical Development and Health, and
ISAT Social Science tests include sampling items for Fine Arts. The Fine Arts will continue to be
included within the social science assessments, and Physical Development and
Health will continue to be included within the science assessment, both as is
done presently at grades 4 and 7. A
grade 9/10 physical development and health and fine arts assessment will
continue on a voluntary basis.
*****
The EXPLORE and PLAN tests are preparatory tests for the ACT. Both are broad tests of student
learning, and assess students in reading, English, mathematics and science. The EXPLORE Test is shown on the chart
as voluntary at both grades 8 and 9.
The intent is to allow school districts to decide which grade level would
best fit the needs of their students.
Some may choose to give the test at grade 8 for diagnostic purposes. Some may choose to give the test at
grade 9 to fit into their high school program. The student should not take the same
test in both grades 8 and 9. The
PLAN would be given voluntarily at Grade 10 to prepare for the ACT. These tests would be offered for local
choice, to be used on a voluntary basis and at no cost to
districts.
o
For
clarification, all tests/scoring/reporting in the chart are state and federally
funded, and not to be funded locally.
o
The
Task Force is not recommending changes in the PSAE at this
time.
o
The
Assessment and Accountability Task Force members shall remain as
technical/policy advisors from January 2003 through at least July 2003 so that
the aforementioned motions and subsequent implementation will be reviewed by the
task force prior to decision points.
These recommendations will be
presented to the State Board next week.
The Task Force will then develop a long-term strategy for additional
improvements to the state’s alternative assessment of students with
disabilities.
Adequate
Yearly Progress – The Task Force endorsed the “stair step” model
developed in
The State Board met in special
session on Monday, December 9, to establish formally a School Finance Authority for
Within the next few days, I will
appoint five individuals, including two residing in the district, to serve on
the Authority. If you would like to
suggest one or more individuals who are qualified and might be willing to serve
on this important group, please let me know as soon as possible.
Although all of us wish this
situation had not occurred, the General Assembly’s
discussions about Hazel Crest did provide an opportunity to focus on the
financial crisis facing a majority of
State
Board of Education Meeting – December 18-19
(
The State Board meeting next week
includes several important items in addition to the recommendations of the
Assessment and Accountability Task Force.
This includes:
The Board will also hear a
“showcase” report by the South Cook Education Consortium, accept the report of
the State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities,
receive the draft 2003 Cumulative Waiver Report and hear an update on universal
preschool.
This Board meeting will be the last
for three members appointed in 1997:
The full agenda may be viewed at: http://www.isbe.net/board/meetings/dec02meeting/schedule.html
Board
Appointments
Two appointees to the State Board of
Education have been approved by the Illinois Senate and will assume office in
January.
Joyce Karon of
Gregory
Kazarian of Lake Forest Is a partner at Pedersen and Houpt and a member of the
Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group. He holds an undergraduate degree in
Biophysics and a law degree, both from the University of Illinois. He is the Chair and Founder of
Leadership for the Future of Illinois, a volunteer advocacy group committed to
advancing fiscal responsibility in government.
Dean Clark, a third appointee to the
State Board, will be considered by the Senate in early January. He lives in
State
Board Student Advisory Council
Twenty-two students from throughout
the state have been appointed to this year’s Student Advisory Council
(SAC). This group provides the
Board with a student view of educational issues, works on projects associated
with State Board goals and makes recommendations for new, expanded and/or
modified Board initiatives.
Plans for this year include
continued work on the SAC-developed “Student School Safety Audit” (see topic
below), development of an instrument for student appraisal of teacher quality,
advocacy for a proposed Learning Standard on global education, and collaboration
with the Illinois Association of Student Councils to add a student voice to
legislative debate.
This group inspires and re-energizes
those of us who have an opportunity to meet with them, and we look forward to
their contributions this year. For
more information about the SAC, contact Board Services Executive Patrick Mogge
at 217/782-2223 or pmogge@isbe.net.
Violence
Prevention Activities
Although most of our attention has
been focused on the financial and academic challenges facing
A one-day school safety conference
will be held on
Workshops designed to help your
schools organize student school safety teams will be held on January 27 in
The 5th Annual Partners
for Peace Conference will be held on March 18 in Effingham and March 20 in
Robert
Schiller
State
Superintendent
of
Education
statesup@isbe.net