BOE Silent on Charter, Hears New Accountability Measures

The presentation oriented the Board on how to read the current data and means of collecting assessment information. In an extensive presentation Thursday night, January 5th, Pioneer RESA Consultant Michael Catledge gave a detailed description of new accountability measures for Georgia School Systems to the Gilmer County Board of Education. According to Catledge, though, these measures will not be implemented until 2013, a year away. The measures also anticipate a waiver Georgia has requested from the Federal Government for NCLB (No Child Left Behind). In addition, the State requested these measures act as a prototype in the event Georgia receives the NCLB waiver, which Catledge thinks is possible. But, the presentation also oriented the Board on how to read the current data and means of collecting assessment information. Superintendent Bryan Dorsey said that the Board invited Mr. Catledge to present last Thursday. Board Chairperson Kathy Jones said the presentation completes the group portion of the Board’s training requirements.

According to Catledge, one of the new accountability measures or AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) components is Confidence Interval, known also as a “second look.” If a school does not meet the required score, the Department of Education (DOE) will review the school again, looking deeper into the statistics.

“If the target is 75.7 percent,” Catledge explained, “and I only have 40 students in my sub-group (Asians, Hispanic, etc…), I only have to have 65 percent passing (rate)—and that’s close enough,” adding, “The need of proximity is not that great.”

Although not mentioned in the presentation, Ellijay Elementary School is the only school in the Gilmer system that did not make AYP in 2011.

He also explained the new structure for graduation accountability. When implemented, the name will change from Graduation Rate to Cohort Graduation Rate. Currently, the type of graduation data used is called Leaver Rate. In the present structure, students are not required to graduate high school in four years–Catledge mentioned that the average these days is five. Conversely, the new Cohort Rate requires students to graduate in four years. If they do not graduate in this time frame or with their cohort, they are considered drop-outs and are required to start over again. Catledge warned though that with the switch, at first the graduation rate is expected to drop an estimated 15 percent, implying, however, that it will subsequently improve with time.

Interjecting, Superintendent Dorsey reminded the Board that the scores and information should be student-centered, emphasizing that scores should provide information on how to best help students. Much of the Board, including Dorsey, grew passionate in their concerns about the focus of statistics and formulas. Frustrated with the flood of required documentation in the new accountability measures, Clear Creek Middle School Principal Jason Kouns said,

“We’re having a long meeting right now about how to play a better game and what the new game is going to look like, instead of talking about what we can do to make kids better.”

In the end, though, Superintendent Dorsey confided that they should use the assessment information to begin conversations, saying that the information is a place to start having conversations on better forms of student assessment and accountability.

“We will use the new measures adopted by the state, “ he said, “as a catalyst for continued improvement of the experiences provided to our students.”

Following the presentation, the Board reviewed the agenda for the January 10th regular meeting. However, no mention of the Oakland Academy Charter School (OACS) Petition was mentioned. The Board must take action on the petition by February 13th, before next month’s regular meeting. The Board seems silent, though, as Oakland awaits that conversation Superintendent Dorsey repeatedly mentioned. But, according to Dorsey, conversations are beginning about Oakland.

In an email to FYN this week, the Superintendent explained,

“The public is engaged in the conversation about the charter. Many staff members and citizens have already approached me in various ways with their questions, suggestions, and opinions concerning the application. I would not be surprised if the board members were also receiving input. Many stakeholders contact board members or myself directly to share their thoughts on this or other issues and suggestions. Some prefer a more formal setting and choose to convey information during the public participation section of board meetings.”

Dorsey said that the Board will have a special meeting to discuss the charter petition before the February 13th deadline, but did not give a particular date for the meeting.