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Value-Added Assessment in Arkansas In 1999, Arkansas legislation established the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP), a comprehensive system that focuses on high academic standards, professional development, student assessment, and accountability for schools. ACTAAP is comprised of the state's Smart Start Initiative1 which focuses on Grades K-4; the state's Smart Step Initiative2 which focuses on Grades 5-8; and education for Grades 9-12.i As required by ACTAAP, the Arkansas Department of Education uses test data to track school performance and holds schools accountable for student achievement. Low performing schools receive technical assistance yet are also subject to sanctions. Rewards may be used for school based improvements and expansion of local programs. THE ARKANSAS STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2004 The Arkansas Student Assessment and Educational Accountability Act of 2004, among other mandates, requires the Department of Education to diagnostically use data from criterion referenced tests (CRTs) to track students longitudinally (over two years or more) and use the data to determine "value-added" (how much a student learns in a year).ii Furthermore, value-added data must be one of the components used in developing objectives of the school improvement plan, internal evaluations of instructional and administrative personnel, assignment of staff, allocation of resources, acquisition of instructional materials and technology, performance-based budgeting, and assignment of students into educational programs.iii The Joint Committee On Educational Adequacy On August 19, 2003, the Joint Committee on Educational Adequacy (established by court order to recommend a system to assess, evaluate, and monitor public education) accepted a report from their Accountability Subcommittee recommending longitudinal tracking of students in a value-added system: "Longitudinal tracking of students in a value-added system should be considered in developing any accountability system so that the performance of both the student and the educational system can be monitored and adjusted. Longitudinal tracking uses standardized test scores to track the progress of the same student from year to year and from grade to grade, regardless of whether the student moves to another school or another school district within the state. This allows for early identification and intervention for students who are not making progress. The length of time to develop longitudinal tracking with the present accountability system should be accelerated."iv Links to important websites Accountability Report to the Joint Committee On Educational Adequacy from the Accountability Subcommittee of the Joint Committee On Educational Adequacy, http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/data/education/AccountabilityReport.pdf The Arkansas Department of Education, http://arkedu.state.ar.us The Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, and Accountability Program (ACTAAP), http://arkedu.state.ar.us/actaap/index.htm Arkansas Education Association, http://www.aeaonline.org/ Arkansas 's growth model proposal, http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/account/growthmodel/ar/index.html Arkansas School Boards Association, http://www.arsba.org 1 Smart Start represents a comprehensive plan for student achievement. It focuses on strong accountability with an emphasis on well-defined, high educational standards in reading and mathematics. These standards are clearly communicated to each school district, its administrators, teachers, students, parents, and the voting public. Smart Start necessitates the coordination of the following four areas: Standards, Professional Development (focused on teachers and administrators), Student Assessment, and Accountability.1 Smart Start focuses on improvement in student achievement in literacy and mathematics by the end of the fourth-grade. 2 Smart Step focuses on improvement in student achievement in literacy and mathematics for students in Grades 5-8. Smart Step implements some of the same strategies used in Smart Start. Smart Step provides the same intense professional development for teachers and administrators at the middle school level, as well as additional materials and assistance to the state's middle school teachers. i Arkansas Department of Education, "Smart Step Overview," http://arkedu.state.ar.us/smart_step/overview/overview_p1.htm ii Arkansas School Boards Association, Special Session Legislative Update, No. 3, December 31, 2003 iii 6-15-433. Statewide assessment program, Effective June 3, 2004, http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/NXT/gateway.dll/ARCode/title04959.htm iv http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/data/education/AccountabilityReport.pdf , Accountability Report to the Joint Committee On Educational Adequacy from the Accountability Subcommittee of the Joint Committee On Educational Adequacy, p.iii back to map | ||||||||
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