Phase 2 Recommendations

Recommendation 1Increase the Graduation

Requirements•Require a 4th year of math for all students

•Highest level of math attainment-strongest predictor of BA attainment

•Well-paying jobs that earn living wage and allow for career advancement require math, problem solving and reasoning skills

Recommendation 2 Implement LA Core Curriculum to better

prepare students for college and/or careers•Connects curriculum to admissions to most

colleges

•Coursework qualifies students for TOPS Tech/TOPS Opportunity

4 years of math, science, social studies/social sciences and English

•Flexibility to allow students to earn IBCs

•Coursework in LA Core required for entry to LA 4-year colleges

Recommendation 2 (cont’d)

LA Core Curriculum•Require all students to enroll in

LA Core beginning with 9th grade class of 2008-09

•Students may “opt out” of LA Core

After completion of Grade 10 Must have parental/guardian permission Must have valid reason

•Expand LA Virtual School

Recommendation 3 Strengthen Louisiana’s Career and

Technical Endorsement•Align Career and Technical

Endorsement with TOPS Opportunity

•(See Handout)

Recommendation 4 Implement End-of-Course Tests to

Improve Rigor and Consistency of HS Courses•Replace GEE with EOC Tests aligned

with LA’s Comprehensive Curriculum More reflective of the curriculum taught Help improve the consistency and rigor of

courses across the state

•Tests begin with Algebra I in 2007-2008•Tests begin to “count” with 9th Grade

Class of 2009-10

Recommendation 4 (Cont’d)

Implement End-of-Course Tests •To graduate, student must have

“verified credit” in English and Math and either Science or Social Studies

A credit is verified when student passes EOC test

•State will offer at least 2 EOC tests in each of the core subject areas

•All students must pass Algebra I EOC Test

•Students will have multiple opportunities to pass

Recommendation 4 (Cont’d)

Implement End-of-Course Tests•Three performance levels

Fail Pass (upper range of “Approaching Basic”) High Pass (upper range of “Mastery” or standard

required by Higher Ed for placement/credit purposes)

•EOC test results must be included in student’s course grade with BESE setting minimum %age

•Accountability Commission to recommend how to integrate EOC tests into HS Accountability, beginning with 9th grade class of 2009-10

End-of-Course Tests Implementation Schedule

Year 2007-08

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Course

Algebra I

Algebra IGeometryEnglish IIPhy. ScienceCivics

Algebra IGeometryEnglish IIPhy. ScienceEnglish IIIBiology

Algebra IGeometryEnglish IIPhy. ScienceEnglish IIIBiologyAm. History

*Bold indicates the initial year of the EOC Test.

Recommendation 4 (Cont’d)

Implement End-of-Course Tests•Funds Needed for Implementation

Test Development and Administration Teacher/Student Supports

On-line tutoring – begin with Math Professional development for teachers

On-line summer institutes – begin with Math Technology funds for High Schools

Support on-line EOC Tests, distance learning, video conferencing and smart classrooms

Recommendation 5

Modify the Graduation Index•Encourage more Dual Enrollment and Articulated Credits

•Encourage more IBCs

•Encourage more AP Coursework

Commission Recommendation:

Graduation Index Student Result

Points

Academic Endorsement OR Career/Technical Endorsement

180

TOPS Opportunity Award 160

BESE Approved Industry Based Certification OR TOPS Tech and Dual Enrollment OR TOPS Tech and Articulated Credit

140

Regular HS Diploma 120

GED 90

Skills Certificate/Certificate of Achievement 60

Attender 30

Dropout 0

Recommendation 6Support Dropout Prevention

and Recovery•9th Grade Initiative

$5 million 8(g) over 3 years Target 40-50 High Schools/9th grade

focus

• Credit recovery/remediation Target 9th graders who are falling behind

•Other Programmatic Efforts Literacy and Math Catch Up Curriculum Lighthouse Schools

Questions