(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- At its regular meeting Wednesday and Thursday, the Kentucky Board of Education heard presentations and had in-depth discussions on a number of items, including the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and the state's school assessment and accountability system.
The board discussed options for earlier reporting of Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS) data, which will be used to provide information required by NCLB. The four options are:
- reducing the number of test forms (versions) in reading and mathematics
- fall testing
- in-school teacher scoring of test items
- releasing preliminary, then final decisions
The board's Assessment and Accountability Committee, which reviewed the options, did not recommend a specific action. The committee instead recommended, and the board adopted, a set of guiding principles be adopted to guide staff and the board in future decisions:
- ensure the continued integrity of CATS
- protect the breadth and depth of the state's curriculum
- alleviate confusion about NCLB requirements among educators, students, parents and other stakeholders
- ensure that testing occurs as late in the year as possible
- collect more information on the impact of reducing forms, teacher scoring and preliminary reporting
In other NCLB-related actions, the board heard information about how data related to NCLB requirements will be communicated to school districts and the public; reviewed state regulations to merge state and federal assessment and accountability requirements; discussed and agreed to accept modifications to the "other academic indicator" required by NCLB; discussed the "participation rate" requirements of NCLB. The board will take more action on NCLB requirements in December.
The board agreed to submit the department's biennial budget worksheet, modified strategic plan and strategic plan progress report to the Governor's Office for Policy and Management and the Legislative Research Commission as required by state statute.
The board also took the following actions:
- accepted the recommendations of the Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission to certify specific non-public schools
- agreed to appoint new members to the Kentucky Writing Program Advisory Committee
- approved a recommendation to make mathematics and literacy priorities of the 2004-05 Professional Development Leadership and Mentor Fund
- approved a recommendation to keep the 2004-05 Teachers' Professional Growth Fund open to projects at all content areas
- approved district facility plans for nine school districts and amendments to facility plans for five districts
- approved 2003-04 local district tax rates levied agreed to repeal a state regulation that outlines procedures for providing data on missing children (The data collection process is now provided through the Kentucky State Police.)
- approved recommendations for appointments to the Kentucky School for the Deaf Advisory Board
- approved reports prepared by the department's Internal Auditor
The board heard reports and had discussions on the following items:
- the most recent release of data from CATS
- the achievement gaps between student populations
- the state preschool program
- the Early Reading Incentive Grant (ERIG) program
- the annual report from the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development
- writing portfolio issues
- school district financial status
- attendance and dropout data issues
- Kentucky Education Technology System (KETS) status and progress
- 2003 ACT and SAT results
The board tabled a request by the Jefferson County Board of Education to use an alternative formula to allocate funds to school-based decision making councils. Board members will review additional information on the request before taking action.
The next meeting of the Kentucky Board of Education will be December 10 and 11 in Frankfort. More information about the board is available here.
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