July+01,+2013

This week's topic is standardized testing. You will need the website below to respond to the discussions. @http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/default.aspx
 * Testing blueprint due today.**


 * __Responses to discussion questions are due July 5__**** __.__ **

Below is the rubric for the essay. Samples are also provided. The samples are listed as NCLB, from when Georgia public schools were under the federal mandate of No Child Left Behind. Since NCLB was never reauthorized, it is now refered to as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (EASA). Georgia just received a waiver for meeting the criteria of meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Now, Georgia public schools are held accountable using the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI). I find it incredibly interesting that the Georgia Department of Education finalized the criteria for determining a school's status using the CCRPI in January 2013. Schools received their CCRPI scores this spring. The CCRPI score was based 2012 performance data when no one knew what the criteria would be. Poorly performing schools will move from being a Needs Improvement school to a Focus school. Incredibly interesting semantics....
 * __Accountability Essay: Due July 8.__ **

For this assignment, you will still focus on the use of standardized tests to determine school accountability. Even though schools are no longer under the pressure of making AYP as mandated by NCLB, there is still a great deal of pressure to perform on standardized test since test scores comprise 70% of the CCRPI score. Use the guidelines set forth in the rubric to help you write the essay. The purpose of this essay is to help you understand how educational reform policies filter down to the classroom and how the intended and unintended outcomes of those policies impact teaching and learning.

Write a 3-4 page essay discussing the impact of standardized testing at your school. Use the following questions to guide your writing:
 * Accountability Essay**
 * How much importance is placed on standardized assessment at your school? Identify which assessment appears to be most important.
 * How does the emphasis on this assessment impact your instructional decisions?
 * What is your school's history of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)? How did your school perform under the Career and College Ready Performance Index? How does school accountability impact school climate?
 * How does standardized testing and school accountability impact students in your classroom?

Here is the rubric for the essay:

Sample essays: These essays are example of when AYP was the accountability measure for schools. You are welcome to use them as models, although the nature of this assignment has changed with the implementation of CCRPI. []