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   The mission of Independent School District is to develop and implement goals that will create an education environment which enhances student achievement.
   The mission of Independent School District is to develop and implement goals that will create an education environment which enhances student achievement.

Just what is high stakes testing?
Just what is high stakes testing?
NCLB
High stakes testing and learning
Implications
Duties/Responsibilities of participants
Cans/Cannots
Consequences? You’re kidding, right?

Just what is High Stakes Testing?

NCLB

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
Addressed standards and testing as the primary approaches to increasing achievement.
Established state-wide educational outcomes for all students.
Holds schools and students accountable for the results.
Every school that receives federal funds is affected.
Schools must make adequate yearly progress (AYP) for five (5) years.
Levine. A. (2003). Tests find USA, not students lacking. Retrieved January 23, 2009 from http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2003-01-07-levine_x.htm

High stakes testing and learning

Supporters of high stakes testing believe the quality of learning will improve. Educators and students will work harder and more effectively.
Critics believe the quality of learning will deteriorate. Students and educators will become focused only on the tested content.
Supporters argue that students will tend to task and receive more support from teachers.
Critics argue that high stakes testing sets up the poorer student to fail.

Implications
The ways high stakes testing influences our school:
Assessment changes instruction.
Accountability means responsibility. Schools, teachers, and students will be held accountable for test scores.
High stakes testing + extra resources = Improved Performance.
Increased motivation – Students will be motivated if they value the goal and they believe the goal is attainable.
Increased self-efficacy – You can do it outlook.
Emphasis on individual rather than group performance.
Data-driven
The sharing of tools, strategies, and techniques in the school community.

Duties/Responsibilities of Participants
Teachers who believe they can make a difference do make a difference.
Motivate.
Encourage students as active participants in the learning process.
Foster connections within & across all units to allow access & reflection on information.
Communicate – ideas, concerns, successes, failures.
Differentiate instruction to address all learners.
Foster a sense of direction and a purpose for what education stands for.

CAN
CAN

Promote inquiry and practice.
Hold high expectations.
Be proud of what you do.
Teach to understanding.
Keep students active & participating
Keep abreast of current research.
Engage in knowledge work
Knowledge of how to
Knowledge of when to
Knowledge of why
Knowledge of self & others
Roll up your sleeves & teach like your students’ lives depend on it.

Consequences?
You’re kidding, right?

School report cards.
Labeling of needing improvement.
Questioning of teacher quality.
Denial of high school diploma.
Program eligibility.
Grade retention.
College admission.

Staying On Track Checklist
___ Plan classroom instruction around National and State Standards.
___ Address measurable goals and objectives in your planning.
___ Use assessments to guide instruction and enhance student learning.
    Scores should be used as a roadmap for improvement.
___ Differentiate instruction according to students’ needs.
___ Remain open to constructive criticism.
___ Reteach. Reteach. Reteach.
___ Remember – If what you’re doing doesn’t work, do something else!

Employee Packet

All new employees will be required to attend a MANDATORY curriculum alignment workshop on Monday, August 13th at 8:15 AM in the administration building, Room C.
A representative from Breaking Your Wallet Health will be available to answer your questions and process your enrollment.
A data driven decision-making roundtable will meet Thursday noon in the high school cafeteria. Lunch will provided.