Final
Academy School District 20
COMMITTEE ON
JOINT EDUCATION
Votes:
Action Taken:
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07:36 AM -- Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Representative Merrifield.
07:36 AM
Dr. Ken Vedra, Academy School District 20 Superintendent, introduced himself and Dr. Ken Turner, Deputy Superintendent. He acknowledged the other Academy School District 20 representatives in the audience. Dr. Vedra made opening comments to the committee.
07:38 AM
Dr. Vedra described the background of content standards and accountability for public school students in Colorado. He commented on student growth measurement and assessments. He described a study conducted by the district and its effect on his district's decision not to administer the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). He noted that the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) does not adequately measure the growth of advanced students. Dr. Vedra described the accreditation process in his district.
07:43 AM
Dr. Vedra continued his remarks. He noted that the district's accreditation has been threatened due to failure to administer NAEP. He noted that NAEP does not provide diagnostic information to students, parents, or teachers, and causes disruption to classroom time. He commented on state standards and how they are measured against NAEP. Dr. Vedra said that because NAEP has no diagnostic value, the district made a decision to forego federal funds and refuse to administer NAEP. He noted that the funds comprise approximately four tenths of one percent of the district's budget. He said that the decision has not been popular with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and that the district's accreditation has been threatened.
07:48 AM
Dr. Vedra commented that administration of NAEP is not a part of his district's accreditation agreement with CDE, but that the district's accreditation was threatened. He provided clarification to Representative Merrifield. Dr. Vedra continued with his presentation. Dr. Vedra introduced Dr. Ken Turner, who provided the next portion of the presentation.
07:51 AM
Dr. Turner spoke to accountability. He commented on longitudinal analysis of student growth. Dr. Turner noted that he would address ten points in his presentation on student growth and assessment. Dr. Turner said that students enter the assessment pipeline either below proficient, or at or above proficient, and that the district's aim is to ensure that lower performing students catch up and that higher performing students do not lose ground.
07:56 AM
Dr. Turner commented that in the early years of CSAP assessment, more growth is expected than in the later years of assessment. He described the reasons that unadjusted scores should not be relied upon. He remarked on the need to create a model for growth. Dr. Turner said that the prior achievement of young people is the greatest indicator of a student's future growth.
08:00 AM
Dr. Turner continued his presentation, remarking on the lessons the district learned from their study. Dr. Turner responded to questions from Senator Williams regarding adjustments in the study for student and school background characteristics described in his presentation.
08:05 AM
Dr. Turner continued his presentation. He displayed data for the district, showing examples of achievement of students in a school in the district. He noted that individual student data is available showing the student's growth over time. He noted that this data is available for every student for which there are two years of data. Dr. Vedra remarked that this data is very helpful diagnostic data.
08:10 AM
Dr. Turner continued his presentation, highlighting individual student data. Dr. Turner responded to a question from Senator Williams about the reason for the trajectory of particular students who started out as proficient and advanced and were not continuing that growth. Dr. Vedra commented on the ceiling effect of CSAP testing.
08:12 AM
Dr. Vedra remarked that his district is focused on being able to look at diagnostic data to help children and that NAEP does not provide the needed information. Dr. Vedra responded to a question from Senator Williams regarding NAEP. Dr. Vedra remarked on the loss of instructional time. Representative King described NAEP testing. Dr. Vedra commented on a letter to Representative King, who serves on the NAEP board. Dr. Vedra noted that NAEP is based on a different set of standards than state testing.
08:17 AM
Dr. Vedra asked the General Assembly to address the aspects of the state "No Child Left Behind" contract that involve special education students. He noted that there is a need to revise the plan for updating state standards and that school districts need to be involved in the update process.
08:20 AM
Dr. Vedra responded to questions from Representative King regarding Colorado's state standards and how those standards compare to other states' standards. Dr. Turner provided an additional response to Representative King's questions. Senator Spence remarked on the district's decision to opt out of NAEP and the amount of money lost by the district by opting out. Senator Spence asked how the district is filling in the gap where the federal funding is missing. Dr. Vedra responded noting that the district talked with the community before making the decision and that no programs have been cut. He said that the district has been able to fill the gap with other moneys. He commented on the achievement of the Title 1 schools in the district.
08:27 AM
Dr. Vedra responded to questions from Representative Merrifield and Senator Williams. Senator Williams commented on the presentation. Senator Williams asked if the district has been invited to make their presentation to the State Board of Education. Dr. Vedra responded that they have not. Senator Williams continued her remarks. Representative Solano commented on the presentation and commended the district. Senator Jones remarked on the income level of the district and said that some districts in lower income areas would not have the option of opting out. Dr. Vedra responded to Senator Jones' remarks.
08:33 AM
Senator Spence clarified her earlier remarks. Senator Bacon commented on the presentation and asked if the NAEP test is assessing a different curriculum, so preparing students for the NAEP is taking time away from preparing students for state standards tests. Dr. Vedra responded. Senator Bacon asked a follow-up question to which Dr. Turner responded.
08:37 AM
Dr. Vedra responded to a question from Representative Todd regarding additional testing. Dr. Vedra responded to a question from Senator Windels regarding opting out of NAEP and whether the district has discussed opting out of "No Child Left Behind" in total. Senator Windels asked a follow-up question about loss of funding. Dr. Vedra responded. Representative Merrifield asked for clarification. Representative King asked about standards and Dr. Vedra responded. Dr. Turner responded to follow-up questions from Representative King.
08:43 AM
Dr. Vedra responded to additional follow-up questions from Senator Williams regarding standards. Representative Todd asked a question about how curriculum is being taught versus how it is tested on standardized tests. Dr. Turner responded. Senator Williams asked a question about the alignment of tests and remarked on the need for more information.
08:48 AM
Senator Spence asked if the ACT is aligned with Colorado standards. Senator Windels responded. Senator Williams clarified her earlier question and comments regarding alignment. Dr. Turner responded. Representative Todd commended Dr. Vedra and Dr. Turner. Representative King commented on the 10th grade CSAP and Dr. Vedra responded.
08:52 AM
Dr. Vedra thanked the committee.
08:52 AM
The committee adjourned.