The public comment period for the regulations governing the state’s new A-F system of grading schools and school systems is open through March 19th. Below are 2 excerpts taken from the regulations that could (will?) have profound affects on the science education of your students. What will it take in terms of resources for your school to earn an A in these areas? What will it take for your school to have 40-50% of your 9-12th graders take an AP class and test? What high school courses do you plan to offer to at least 30% of your middle schoolers? What middle school courses do you plan to offer to at least 30% of your elementary-aged students?
Please download the DraftRulesA-F and discuss the impact with your colleagues. Send written comments about A-F or other draft rules submissions to the State Board of Education Office, 2500 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4599, or rules@sde.ok.gov.
(Empahsis Added)
…(4) The criteria listed in sub-sections (4)(A) and (4)(B) shall be used to calculate whole school improvement for high schools, middle schools, and elementary grade schools. Annually, the Oklahoma State Department of Education shall publish technical assistance specifically detailing the weighted formula and the projected availability of valid data used for computing whole school improvement.
(A) For schools comprised of high school grades, the whole school improvement grade shall include:
(i) Four-year high school graduation rate. For this component, a letter grade shall be earned based on the calculation of a graduation rate, only including students counted as on-time graduates.
(a) 90% – 100% = A (b) 80% – 89% = B (c) 70% – 79% = C (d) 60% – 69% = D (e) 59% or Below = F
(ii) Participation in accelerated coursework. Participation in accelerated coursework, is defined as participation in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, dual enrollment, Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and industry certification courses. For this component, participation shall be calculated for the school year by dividing a count of accelerated coursework participants in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) (numerator) by the count of all students enrolled in grades eleven (11) and twelve (12) (denominator). For AP, IB, and AICE participation, a student shall be counted in the numerator if he or she has taken the applicable subject area examination (i.e., the AP, IB, or AICE subject area examination). For dual enrollment courses and industry certification courses, a student must earn a passing grade in the course in order to be counted as a participant. A letter grade for accelerated coursework shall be earned based on percentage of participation:
(a) 80% – 100% = A (b) 65% – 79% = B (c) 50% – 64% = C (d) 30% – 49% = D (e) 29% or Below = F
(iii) Performance in Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB). For this component, a letter grade shall be earned based on the percent of students scoring a three (3) or better on the AP exams, or a four (4) or better on IB exams:
(a) 80% – 100% = A (b) 65% – 79% = B (c) 50% – 64% = C (d) 30% – 49% = D (e) 29% or Below = F …
…(v) ACT and SAT participation. For this component, schools will earn a grade based on the calculated percent of students taking the ACT or SAT. The percent is calculated by dividing the number of ACT tests in the current year divided by the number of students enrolled in grade twelve (12). Students will be counted one time for each test examination, regardless of the number of times the ACT and SAT are taken. A letter grade for ACT and SAT participation shall be earned based on the following criteria:
(a) 80% – 100% = A (b) 65% – 79% = B (c) 50% – 64% = C (d) 30% – 49% = D (e) 29% or Below = F
(vi) ACT and SAT performance. For this component, schools will earn a grade based on the percentage of students scoring an ACT composite score of 20 or greater, or an SAT score of 1410 or greater. Students will be counted one time for each test examination, regardless of the number of times the ACT and SAT are taken. A letter grade for ACT and SAT performance shall be earned based on the following criteria:
(a) 80% – 100% = A (b) 65% – 79% = B (c) 50% – 64% = C (d) 30% – 49% = D (e) 29% or Below = F
(vii) High school graduation rate of eighth (8th) graders. For this component, schools shall earn a grade based on the the high school graduation rate of students who scored at limited knowledge or unsatisfactory on the eighth (8th) grade reading or mathematics criterion reference test. For this component, schools shall earn a grade based on the calculation of a graduation rate of this population of eighth (8th) graders, only including students counted as on-time graduates.
(a) 85% – 100% = A (b) 75% – 84% = B (c) 65% – 74% = C (d)55%–64% =D (e) 54% or Below = F
(viii) Graduation rate, including students taking four (4) or more years to graduate. For this component, schools shall earn a grade based on the calculation of a graduation rate to include all graduates regardless of the amount of time required to meet graduation requirements.
(a) 90% – 100% = A (b) 80% – 89% = B (c) 70% – 79% = C (d)60%–69% =D (e) 59% or Below = F
(B) For schools comprised of middle school grades and elementary school grades, the whole school improvement grade shall include:
(i) The percentage of students who are taking higher level coursework at a satisfactory or higher level in middle school. For this component, schools shall earn a grade based on the percentage of students taking traditional high school courses in the middle school grades, traditional middle school courses in the elementary school grades, pre-Advanced Placement courses, or other advanced coursework in a traditional classroom or in a virtual environment who score at a satisfactory level or higher on the corresponding state standardized assessment. A letter grade will be earned based on the percentage of students in the school who are taking higher level coursework, based on the following criteria:
(a) 30% or Higher = A (b) 25% – 29% = B (c) 20% – 24% = C (d) 15% – 19% = D (e) 14% or Below = F …