A group of education stakeholders and policy makers will gather in Frankfort on September 13 and 14 to participate in a benchmarking process that will culminate in recommended cut scores that define performance expectations for each indicator and overall assessment. of school accountability in Kentucky. The meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET at 300 Sower Blvd., Frankfort, in the State Board Room.
Using data from the 2021-2022 school year, Kentucky’s accountability system will provide a color-coded overall rating for each school, district and state ranging from red (lowest) to blue (highest ). The color-coded assessment, along with other important educational data, will be available on the Kentucky School Report Card.
As required by KRS 158.6455, the panel will recommend to Commissioner of Education Jason E. Glass and the Advisory Council of Local Supervisors an overall evaluation that combines all indicators in Kentucky’s accountability system. The panel will also recommend downgrading scores for each indicator to allow reporting of school performance ranging from very low to very high (ie, very low, low, medium, high, very high) for each indicator.
Indicators that contribute to how a school is classified for the 2021-2022 school year include:
- State assessment results for reading and math: Based on student performance on reading and math tests;
- State Assessment Results for Science, Social Studies, and Writing: Based on student performance on tests in science, writing, and social studies;
- English Learner Progress: Based on the growth of English learners on an English proficiency test;
- Graduation rate: High school only. The percentage of students who graduate within a given period compared to the group of students who started high school in the same year;
- Post-secondary readiness: High school only. Based on 12th grade graduates and non-graduates and those who meet academic or career readiness as defined in the Kentucky Accountability System. This year’s data will include a college admissions test (ACT), a college placement test, an advanced placement, international diploma, Cambridge Advanced International, Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) approved dual credit, industry certifications, career and technical education at the end of the KDE/Labor Cabinet approved program and internship evaluations; AND
- Climate quality and school safety: Based on student surveys.
On September 13-14, panelists will discuss performance level descriptions (PLDs) for each indicator individually and an overall school score that combines the indicators. These PLDs will provide information about the expectations for each color-coded assessment and each indicator to give teachers, educators, families, and students more information about the meaning of each performance category. The PLDs are similar to the student performance level descriptors for Novice, Learner, Proficient, and Distinguished in the statewide student testing system.
The PLDs will be used to inform the decision of the panelists during standard setting. Panelists will use the PLDs along with school data and indicators to establish cut scores for the red to blue color ratings. Panelists will use current school performance data to establish recommended cut scores. However, no school names will be used and panelists will not be able to identify any schools.
Committee members bring a variety of experiences and educational expertise to the standards-setting process, including:
- Steve Trimble, member of the Kentucky Board of Education
- Patrice McCrary, member of the Kentucky Board of Education
- Robbie Fletcher, Lawrence County Superintendent of Schools
- Sheila Mitchell, Anderson County Superintendent of Schools
- Travis Hamby, Allen County superintendent of schools
- Alvin Garrison, superintendent, Covington Independent Schools
- Leonard Whalen, superintendent of Dawson Springs Independent Schools
- Dena Dossett, chief of accountability, research and systems improvement, Jefferson County Schools
- JanaBeth Francis, district assessment coordinator, Daviess County Schools
- Amanda Reed, district assessment coordinator, LaRue County Schools
- Brooke Stinson, district assessment coordinator, Fayette County Schools
- Artavia Acklin, Superintendent of Shelby County Schools
- Christi Lefevers, principal of Corbin Independent Schools
- Kym Rice, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent
- Jerome Gels, director, Ignite Academy
- Alfonso De Torres Núñez, teacher, Jefferson County Schools
- Amy Leasgang, teacher, Bullitt County Schools
- Renita Wilburn, teacher, Fayette County Schools
- Lora Grant, teacher, Southern Kentucky Early College and Career Academy
- Arnav Dharmagadda, student, Greenup County Schools
- Penny Christian, parent, Kentucky Parent Teacher Association
- Kathy Smiley, president of the Kentucky Parent Teacher Association
- Eddie Campbell, president of the Kentucky Education Association
- Dionne Bates, chief of implementation and improvement, Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative
- Gretchen Wetzel, executive director, Western Kentucky Educational Cooperative
- Jim Flynn, executive director, Kentucky Association of School Superintendents
- Kathy Fields, membership engagement specialist, Kentucky Association of School Administrators
Brian Gong, Chris Domaleski and Laura Pinsonneault of the Center for Assessment will facilitate the benchmarking process.
