6A-1.09981: Implementation of Florida's System of School Improvement and Accountability
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To amend the adequate progress provision of school grades to accommodate schools that improve the percentage of their lowest performing students who make learning gains, yet fall below the currently specified minimum requirement of at least fifty (50) percent of such students making learning gains.
SUMMARY: This amendment modifies a component of the school grades calculation requiring adequate progress for the lowest performing quartile of students in reading and in math. Under the current rule, for schools that have earned enough points to receive a school grade of “C” or higher, adequate progress is demonstrated if at least 50 percent of these students make learning gains in each subject. If adequate progress is not demonstrated, the school will receive a final grade that is one grade lower than the school would have received otherwise. The amendment allows schools that fall short of the 50-percent mark in this category to demonstrate adequate progress if (1) for schools with at least 40 percent of such students making learning gains, there is annual improvement in the percent making learning gains; or (2) for schools with less than 40 percent making learning gains, there is at least a five-percentage-point annual improvement in the percent making learning gains.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1008.34 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1008.34 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: April 15, 2008, 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: 325 West Gaines Street, Department of Education, Tallahassee, Florida
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Juan Copa, Chief, Bureau of Evaluation and Reporting, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 844, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
6A-1.09981 Implementation of Florida’s System of School Improvement and Accountability.
(1)(a)1. through 2. No change.
3. Schools designated as Performance Grade “C” or above shall be required to demonstrate that adequate progress in reading, defined as annual learning gains in paragraph (5)(b) of this rule, has been made by the lowest twenty-five (25) percent of students in the school who scored at or below FCAT Achievement Level 3, based on their previous year’s FCAT score. The minimum requirement for adequate progress is deemed to be met when at least fifty (50) percent of such students make learning gains as defined in paragraph (5)(b) of this rule. If the percent of such students making learning gains is below fifty (50) percent in the current year, adequate progress can be met if:
a. Schools demonstrate a one (1) percentage point improvement in the percent of such students making learning gains over the prior year, if the percent of such students making learning gains is at least forty (40) percent in the current year; or
b. Schools demonstrate a five (5) percentage point improvement in the percent of such students making learning gains over the prior year, if the percent of such students making learning gains is below forty (40) percent in the current year.
If the minimum requirement for adequate progress in reading among the lowest twenty-five (25) percent of students in the school is not met, the School Advisory Council shall amend its School Improvement Plan to include a component for improving learning gains of the lowest performing students. If a school otherwise designated as Performance Grade “B” or “C” does not make adequate progress, as defined above demonstrate learning gains for at least half of the lowest performing students, in at least one (1) of two (2) consecutive years, the final Performance Grade designation shall be reduced by one (1) letter grade. No school shall be designated as Performance Grade “A” unless the adequate progress criterion in reading, learning gains for at least half of the lowest performing students, is met each year.
4. through (b) No change.
(2) through (8)(a) No change.
(b) Math lowest twenty-five (25) percent will be added as an additional category of performance beginning in 2006-07. For this category of achievement, schools will earn one (1) point for each percent of students in the lowest twenty-five (25) percent in mathematics reading in the school as defined in paragraph (5)(c) of this rule who make learning gains as defined in paragraph (5)(b) of this rule. Improvement of the lowest twenty-five (25) percent of students in mathematics in each grade, as defined in paragraph (5)(b) of this rule, shall be aggregated for each school, unless the students so designated are performing above proficiency, defined as FCAT Achievement Levels 4 and 5.
1. Schools designated as Performance Grade “C” or above shall be required to demonstrate that adequate progress in mathematics, defined as annual learning gains in paragraph (5)(b) of this rule, has been made by the lowest twenty-five (25) percent of students in the school who scored at or below FCAT Achievement Level 3, based on their previous year’s FCAT score. The minimum requirement for adequate progress is deemed to be met when at least fifty (50) percent of such students make learning gains as defined in paragraph (5)(b) of this rule. If the percent of such students making learning gains is below fifty (50) percent in the current year, adequate progress can be met if:
a. Schools demonstrate a one (1) percentage point improvement in the percent of such students making learning gains over the prior year, if the percent of such students making learning gains is at least forty (40) percent in the current year; or
b. Schools demonstrate a five (5) percentage point improvement in the percent of such students making learning gains over the prior year, if the percent of such students making learning gains is below forty (40) percent in the current year.
If the minimum requirement for adequate progress in mathematics among the lowest twenty-five (25) percent of students in the school is not met, the School Advisory Council shall amend its School Improvement Plan to include a component for improving learning gains of the lowest performing students. If a school otherwise designated as Performance Grade “B” or “C” does not make adequate progress, as defined above demonstrate learning gains for at least half of the lowest performing students, in at least one (1) of two (2) consecutive years, the final Performance Grade designation shall be reduced by one (1) letter grade. No school shall be designated as Performance Grade “A” unless the adequate progress criterion in mathematics, learning gains for at least half of the lowest performing students, is met each year.
2. No change.
(c) through (d) No change.
(9) through (15) No change.
Specific Authority 1001.02, 1008.22, 1008.33, 1008.345 FS. Law Implemented 1000.03, 1001.42, 1003.63, 1008.33, 1008.34, 1008.345, 1008.36 FS. History–New 10-11-93, Amended 12-19-95, 3-3-97, 1-24-99, 2-2-00, 2-11-02, 12-23-03, 5-15-06,_________.