ALTERNATE DIPLOMA

1
(No Transcript)
2
ALTERNATE DIPLOMA OPTIONS
High School Redesign Commission June 11, 2008
3
LAA 2

• Louisianas criterion-referenced testing program
  for students with persistent academic
  disabilities
• LAA 2 assessment comes directly from the Grade
  Level Expectations (GLEs)
• Format has been modified to make the test more
  accessible to students with disabilities
• Fewer items per page
• 2-point short answer items rather than 4-point
  short answer items

4
LAA 2 Achievement Levels

• Basic
• A student at this level has demonstrated only the
  fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the
  next level of schooling
• Approaching Basic
• A student at this level has only partially
  demonstrated the fundamental knowledge and skills
  needed for the next level of schooling
• Foundational
• A student at this level has not demonstrated the
  fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the
  next level of schooling but has demonstrated the
  foundational knowledge and skills that can be
  built upon to access the grade-level curriculum
• Pre-Foundational
• A student at this level has not demonstrated the
  fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the
  next level of schooling. However, the student
  may be developing the foundational knowledge and
  skills that can be built upon to access the
  grade-level curriculum.

5
How many students have taken LAA 2?
6
LAA 2 Students Scoring Proficient
7
HS Students taking LAA 2 and Scoring Basic or
Approaching Basic
8
GEE Waivers

• Criterion for granting GEE Waivers
• Minimum of 23 Carnegie Units
• Passed two of three required components of the
  GEE (ELA, Math, and either Science or Social
  Studies)
• Exhausted all opportunities available through the
  Seniors Only retest
• LDE on behalf of superintendent may waive the
  component not yet passed if it is determined that
  the students disability significantly impacted
  their ability to pass the GEE component

9
2008 GEE Waivers Granted

• 266 applied for
• 208 granted
• 48 denied
• 400 received waiver since inception

10
LAA 2 Standard High School Diploma

• Complete Carnegie Units
• Score AB or higher on LAA 2 in required
  components
• Pass 2 of the 3 required components of the LAA2
  and be eligible to have part of the graduation
  requirement waived if documentation that the
  disability directly impacts the section not
  passed
• Budget Impact need retest
• Could be implemented in 2008-2009 school year
• Support this option

11
Certificate of Achievement

• Currently available for students who are eligible
  for LEAP Level 1 (LAA1)
• Support continuing to offer to students who are
  eligible, those with significant disabilities
• 423 awarded in 2007

12
Consideration of GED for a Standard High
School Diploma

• GED Test
• General Educational Development Test
• Product of GEDTS, Inc. in Washington, DC
• Consider a Standard High School Diploma
• Written permission of the parent and/or student
• Completion of required Carnegie units
• Passage of the GED

13
GED for a Standard High School Diploma

• Specific components
• Must have failed at least one of the required
  components of the GEE
• Must continue to take the GEE and all available
  retests through the senior year
• Must attend classes the entire senior year and
  complete all coursework with passing grades,
  including GEE remedial classes.
• Must attain a passing score on the GED

14
Issues for Consideration of the GED

• Would require permission from GEDTS
• Current policy doesnt allow the GED Test to be
  given to students enrolled in K-12 only the 11
  states with approved Options programs can
  administer the GED to high school students
• We have requested permission and are awaiting
  their decision
• The GED can not be used as a substitute for an
  exit exam according to GEDTS policy
• The ability of students to benefit
• Represents major and lasting outcomes of a 9th
  -12th education
• Normed annually - 42 of graduating seniors do
  not pass

15
OCCUPATIONAL DIPLOMA

• Alternative pathway to a standard high school
  diploma
• Allows pursuit of general education course of
  study with a focus on occupational skills
• Participation in statewide assessment
• Emphasis on essential skills for employment

16
Occupational Diploma, cont.

• Participate in GEE in 10th and 11th grade
• If student fails GEE, it is an IEP decision to
  retake
• Electives will focus on career pathways and
  transition
• Participate in community-based training or
  document previous work experience

17
Occupational Diploma, cont.

• Recognize rigor and relevancy are issues
• Some areas have merit, such as linking
  occupational skills to curriculum
• Leads to waiving the test
• Needs further study
• Not prepared to move forward at this time
• Cant place in same categories as first three

18
Existing and Planned Initiatives that Support
Diploma Options

• Literacy Strategies into every course of the
  revised Comprehensive Curriculum Access Guide
  accommodations readily available for every
  teacher
• Revision of Standards and GLEs essential GLEs
  and a more extensive list of GLEs for every
  course will include the identification of
  essential content and skills for employment
• Expand Career and Technical Education including
  development of credit bearing courses that do not
  meet the more rigorous requirements of the new
  Perkins law
• Support internship and or work opportunities

19
(No Transcript)