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MN State Testing: Past, Present, and Future

MN State Testing: Past, Present, and Future. September 30, 2013. History of MN State Testing. BST tests (1997-2005): Basic evaluation of student skills Grade 8 Reading & Math Grade 10 Writing

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MN State Testing: Past, Present, and Future

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  1. MN State Testing: Past, Present, and Future September 30, 2013

  2. History of MN State Testing • BST tests (1997-2005): Basic evaluation of student skills • Grade 8 Reading & Math • Grade 10 Writing • MCA (2006-present) tests replaced the BST tests and used for school accountability (NCLB) and how well school curriculum addressed school standards • Grade 3-8 Reading & Math • Grade 5 Writing • Grade 5 Science • Grade 10 Science • GRAD testing (came into play as students were not taking the MCA tests seriously – added student accountability piece) • Grade 9 Writing • Grade 10 Reading • Grade 11 Math • Issues: • One general cut score was set so high for all students • Math 40% state average not pass • Reading 22% state average not pass • Generic test that doesn’t take into account individual learners

  3. . . Marshall High School Graduation Requirements • Four credits of Language Arts (must include English 9, English 10 or Honors English 10, American or British Literature, .5 credits of a Literature elective and 1 credit of writing) • * Four credits of Social Studies (must include Social 9, U.S. History or AP U.S. History, World History or AP European History, Senior Economics, Business Economics or Ag Economics, and Senior Government or AP Govt & Politics) • Three credits of Mathematics (must include Algebra IB, Geometry, Algebra II, or Short-course Geometry and Short-course Statistics) • Three credits of Science (must include Physical Science and Biology) • One credit of Fine Arts • * One credit of Physical Education • * One credit of Technology • *1/2 credit Career Education • * 1/2 credit in Consumer Awareness • *1/2 credit in Health • 12 credits of Electives Class of 2015 & beyond: Same as above plus 1 credit of Chemistry or Physics and 1 credit of Algebra II • Students must pass the MCA-II/GRAD tests in addition to earning 30.5 credits to graduate • * Requirements exceed state graduation requirements • The following credits are required for students graduating in 2013 - 2014:

  4. State testing and the impact on MHS students • Students enrolling in area districts not requiring a cut score/passing GRAD scores • Who will be affected? • Minority students • ELL students • During the 2012-2013 school year of the 51 students identified as LEP, 15 left to another state without testing requirements • Students who struggle in school but don’t qualify for services. • Because of the need to take remedial test prep courses, these students have fewer opportunities to take career pathway classes. • “Gray area kids” • 7 students in two years

  5. Higher Education • SMSU • Not accepted without HS diploma or GED • MN West • Open door policy • Not eligible for Federal Financial Aid (need HS diploma/GED)

  6. Current Testing & Scoring System Plus Delta Integrity of the diploma Benchmark ourselves with other schools Curriculum accountability – how ours addresses state standards in those areas Students transferring to other area districts Make MHS requirements stricter than state requirements How would one universal cut scores be established to accommodate the variety of student ability One test would be the final determining factor of graduation instead of performance & growth over 4 years Colleges use performance in high school classes (courses taken & grades earned) rather than just the test score The current state test wording does not account for a culturally unbiased language MDE focus is shifting from high stakes tests to Individualized Learning Plans (ILP) Minimizes the importance of local graduation requirements

  7. Alternative Pathways Plus Delta Measure student growth over 4 years of rigorous curriculum rather than one test Decrease student anxiety by demonstrating course competencies rather than test performance Removal of curriculum that focuses on test preparation, creating opportunities for more college level and career preparatory courses Increased emphasis on careers and post secondary plans • Development of new processes which continue to develop rigor • This is an educational paradigm shift that will require a different way of thinking • Learning • Teaching • Parenting

  8. Surrounding School Districts

  9. The Future • The state recommends the focus shift from the current form of state testing to “college & career preparation” • Ramp up to Readiness (University of MN program) • MHS participation starting in the 2014-2015 school year • By allowing a variety of tests (ACT, ASVAB, PLAN) to replace the GRAD test requirement we are able to choose the best plan for each individual student • Individual Learning Plans that focuses on success of each individual student • This will likely eliminate the need for test cut scores and establish an individual learning plan for each student rather than placing all students into two testing groups • This process will measure student growth and performance over time

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