ATTACHMENT 3: Waiakea HS Town Hall Mtg ESSA Specific Worksheet 1, from 9-1-2016 post

Town Hall Meeting Feedback Sheet

SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY:    The new ESSA law sets new requirements that will require each state to make changes to its current school accountability system.  In Hawaii, the system is called the “Strive HI Accountability System.”  The present system is to a large extent based on the results of test scores.                        

QUESTION: What do you think a school should be held accountable for?

Elementary School:

Middle School:

High  School:

According to ESSA, states need to incorporate at least four indicators into their accountability systems.   The ESSA menu includes the following three (3) indicators listed below and requires each state to select one additional indicator.

(1) proficiency on state tests,

(2) English-language learner proficiency on state tests

(3) plus some other academic factor that can be broken out by subgroup, which could be “growth” indicator of state tests.

QUESTION:  Of the following possible indicators that could be added, which one (1) would you support the most?

___ How engaged students are in learning

___ How engaged teachers and educators are in teaching and learning

___ School climate and safety

___ Access to and completion of advanced coursework by students

___ Post-secondary readiness of students

___ Results of WASC accreditation review by WASC Visiting Team

___ Measure of school’s culture

___ Other

QUESTION:   What are your thoughts about a proposal to have two (2) accountability systems – (#1) one that complies with the federal ESSA law and is used for federal reporting purposes, and (#2) a second accountability system based on what all stakeholders in Hawaii feel schools should be held accountable for and is used to set high expectations, monitor, support, and hold schools accountable to Hawaii’s own requirements?

TESTING:   Under ESSA, states still have to test students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8 and once in high school, and break out the data for whole schools, plus different “subgroups” of students (English-learners, students in special education, racial minorities, those in poverty). ESSA maintains the federal requirement for 95 percent participation in tests.  In addition:

·       States are prohibited from combining different sets of students into so-called “super subgroups” for accountability purposes.

·       Up to seven states can apply to try out local tests for a limited time, with the permission of the U.S. Department of Education. (SEE BELOW)

·       Districts can use local, nationally recognized tests at the high school level, with state permission, such as the SAT or ACT.

·       States can create their own testing opt-out laws, and states decide what should happen in schools that miss targets.

INNOVATIVE TESTING PILOT:   The U.S. Department of Education has proposed rules for states hoping to snare one of seven spots in its new Innovative Assessment pilot program, which would let them design their testing programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act.   These proposed rules were released on July 6 and public comments are accepted for 60 days.  “Experts say the pilot has the potential to help point the way to brand new methods of measuring student learning.”      Among the highlights in the proposed rules:

·     States that want in on the pilot don’t have to come up with a new testing system for every subject and every grade—they could try a more innovative format just for 3rd grade science tests, for instance.

·     The goal is one system eventually; the draft regulations make it clear that states are supposed to come up with one system that can eventually be scaled statewide.

·     Districts could try a handful of schools at first, rather than districtwide, or all at once.

·     The department would offer states four options to show that these new systems produce results comparable to those of their state’s test. Among them: giving the state test once in each grade where there is an innovative test, and giving the state test to a representative sample of students in certain grades.

·     States hoping to be selected for the pilot will have to lay out in detail what they intend to do, show their plans have support from the field, describe their budget, timeline, and evaluation plans, and how they intend to support teachers and students in using these new tests.  (From Education Week, July 20, 2016)

QUESTION:  Should Hawaii apply to be one of seven states to participate in the Innovative Assessment Pilot?          ____ Yes        ____ No           ____ No Opinion

Comments:

           

SCHOOL & COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

QUESTION:   Currently, do you feel the Hawaii State Department of Education empowers schools, principals, teachers, and students …

… through transparency about funding, expenditures, and resources? Yes        No        No Opinion	Please share your input, comments, or suggestions on transparency.
… where available resources are provided closest to the classrooms and students? Yes        No        No Opinion	Please share your input, comments, or suggestions on resources.
...and provide a system of support to support innovation and flexibility? Yes        No        No Opinion	Please share your input, comments, or suggestions on a system of support.
… where decisions about teaching and learning are made closest to the classroom and to students? Yes        No        No Opinion	Please share your input, comments, or suggestions on decision-making closest to the classroom.

TEACHER QUALITY

QUESTION:  What is needed to eliminate the teacher shortage in the public schools as a long lasting problem affecting public education in Hawaii?  Please share what you feel might be the main causes and possible solutions.