October 20, Superintendent's Message. Dear Colleagues,

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1 October 20, 2015 Superintendent's Message Dear Colleagues, Last week, BESE approved "cut scores" for grade 3-8 English and math results. These cut scores are the same as those in other states across the country using the PARCC test and will allow Louisiana to compare its results with results in those states. You can find an analysis of how the cut score process is playing out in other states here. You can also find a recently released study favorably comparing the expectations of high school PARCC assessments to those of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System here. In order to demonstrate the effect of these cut scores on student performance levels in Louisiana, last week the Department provided BESE and the public with a report of statewide English and math results. Overall results were generally consistent with student performance on past tests such as the LEAP or NAEP. Today you received reports detailing performance level and scale score results for your districts and schools, as well as performance on key skills. Thursday, the Department will post summary district and school results publicly. After reporting aggregate results at the state, district, and school level, the Department will provide analyses of specific academic skills at all levels, including reports for individual students. In the weeks to come, you will receive these analyses, as will standards review committees and the Accountability Commission. You can get a head start on communicating with parents regarding student skills by using guides, sample conversations, and model parent night presentations posted here. Following reports this week, the Department will begin working on the sequence of steps necessary to complete elementary, middle, and high school performance scores and letter grades: 1. The Department will put forward a one-year proposal regarding the 1.5 percent of students not participating in state tests in 2015 at the November Superintendents Advisory Council meeting. 2. Following this, the Department will calculate the 2015 assessment index for each school and district. 3. Then the Department will calculate 2015 progress points for each school and district by figuring the difference between the 2015 score expected for each student based on past performance and the real 2015 score each student achieved. 4. Having totaled the assessment index, progress points, and the credit accumulation index (for schools with 8th grades) to create school performance scores, the Department will transition policies that sustain the past distribution of letter grades to figure each school's and district's letter grade.

2 After two transition years, in 2016, the Department will calculate a baseline and a schedule for gradually raising expectations between 2017 and 2025 so that an A-rated school averages at least "Mastery" performance. I appreciate greatly your attention to this step-by-step process and all that you are doing to communicate its substance to schools and communities. As always, thank you for all you do for our children, John John White Louisiana Department of Education In This Issue: Superintendent's Message District Support High School Opportunities Assessment and Accountability Data Policy Special Education Student Programs Education in the News To view the current District Support Calendar, please click here. District Support

3 Superintendent's Conference Call You are invited to participate in the Superintendents' Conference Call hosted by State Superintendent John White on Wednesday, November 4, at 10:30 a.m. You may begin dialing into the call 15 minutes in advance. To join the Superintendents' Conference Call on November 4, please see the webinar information below: Webinar Login Information (*No pre-registration required) Click here to join the meeting or go to Dial into the Phone Bridge: (866) When prompted, please give the Meeting ID # You will need to identify yourself in order to be placed into the meeting 2017 Teacher and Principal of the Year Applications Released The application process for the Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year is now open. Districts and charter organizations may submit up to three candidates, one per division, for both Teacher and Principal of the Year. Application materials are available here. State Teacher and Principal of the Year nominees will submit their application online this year. The online application portal will open in early December. Applications are due by January 11, A webinar is scheduled for Teacher and Principal of the Year coordinators on Friday, October 23, 2015 from 10:00-11:00 a.m., and will provide an overview of this year's process. This webinar will be recorded and will be posted to the Department's website by November 2, Webinar Login Information: (*No pre-registration required) Meeting Name: 2017 Teacher and Principal of the Year- Coordinator's Training Webinar To join the meeting go to Once you enter the site, click guest and type your name in the signature box Select the default "Dial-out" option (1) to hear the call over your phone. Select the "Using microphone" (Computer device- option 3) option if you'd like to view and listen via your computer. Questions: questions to Joni Lacy at excellenteducators@la.gov. November Supervisor and Teacher Leader Collaboration Events Each quarter, the Department will host Supervisor Collaboration Events and Teacher Leader Collaboration Events to provide tools, resources and professional development to district-level administrators and Teacher Leaders, respectively. The November Collaboration Events will take place in the following locations around the State: Baton Rouge (11/16) Jennings (11/17) Monroe (11/18) Harvey (11/19)

4 Registration for the November Teacher Leader Collaboration Event is now open. Please encourage your Teacher Leaders to register. Network teams will contact districts to identify who should attend each session at the Supervisor Collaboration and help participants register for the event. Please contact your Network point of contact if you are interested in attending the November Supervisor Collaboration event District Support Calendar Update The Department will release a monthly update to the District Support Calendar. All new additions or revisions are highlighted in yellow so that districts can easily identify these changes. Changes to note: Compass Information Training in October Online Test Security Training in October Assessment & Accountability call in November and March Monroe LDC training in November and December Location updates for Supervisor and Teacher Leader Collaborations: November and January districtsupport@la.gov with questions. Registration for Math and Science Conference Please share with principals and math and science teachers The Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics (LATM) and the Louisiana Science Teachers Association (LSTA) will host their joint math and science conference on November 9-11, 2015, at the Baton Rouge River Center. This professional development opportunity focuses on the integration of mathematics and science in the classroom. Registration and lodging information can be found here. Those who register and submit payment by October 9, 2015 will save $50 off the onsite registration fee. Jean May-Brett at jam05@bellsouth.net with questions. High School Opportunities NCCER Approval Process Webinar In order to support CTE Supervisors and schools in the proper implementation of NCCER within their LEAs, the Department will host a webinar focusing on NCCER's processes including facility and instructor certification, adding instructor certifications, facility audits, Form 200 submission and approval, and provide dates on upcoming trainings and webinars for NCCER instructors. CTE Supervisors, school level administrators, and NCCER Instructors are encouraged to participate in one of the following webinars scheduled for: Tuesday, October 27-3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thursday, October 29-3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

5 Webinar Login Information (*no pre-registration required) Meeting Name: NCCER Approval Process Webinar To join the meeting, click Enter meeting room as a guest and provide your name Audio access: (800) / room number: For additional information, please bryan.bertucci@la.gov Jump Start Convention SAVE THE DATE The next Jump Start Convention will be held in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 (venue TBD). Attendees of the convention should include high school principals, district administrators, professional school counselors, Jump Start regional team members, and regional economic development and workforce development organizations. Key Jump Start Convention agenda items this year will include: How schools and districts can maximize their Jump Start funding Expanding internship programs (including "virtual internships" for rural parishes) Pilot programs for expanding IT industry credentials (for TOPS and Jump Start students) Best practices for teacher training and externships, counselor support,and industry engagement Please JumpStart@la.gov with questions TOPS Tech Early Start Training Provider Webinar The Department will host two webinars for private training providers interested in applying to become TOPS Tech Early Start (TTES) Course Providers. Act 737 (SB 126) of the 2014 Legislative Session amended the TOPS Tech Early Start Legislation and now provides for payment of TTES to students enrolled in an eligible program of study with a training program provider approved by BESE. The Department will conduct a TTES Request for Applications (RFA) Process. These webinars will outline program goals and describe the application process for becoming a TTES provider. A full list of TTES student eligibility requirements can be found here: The second webinar is scheduled for (*No pre-registration required): Thursday, October 22, 2015, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Webinar Login Information: Meeting Name:TOPS Tech Early Start Training Provider Webinar Click here to join the meeting or go to Enter meeting room as a guest and provide your name Audio access: (800) / room number: For additional information, please direct all questions to JumpStart@la.gov. Second Quarter Counselor Collaboratives The Department is increasing the amount of hands-on support we provide to professional middle and high school counselors. Department Network Teams are starting 2nd Quarter counselor collaborative sessions to provide counselors with the

6 tools and information needed to ensure appropriate courses, and pathway selections for all students. Specific dates can be found in the District Support Calendar. Please with questions. Assessment and Accountability Online Test Security Webinar Please share with District Test Coordinators. The Online Test Security Webinar is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 2:00 pm, for District Test Coordinators who oversee the administration of EOC Tests. This webinar will re-deliver information presented at the September Supervisor Collaboration and focus on test security guidelines for online test administration, including those required by Bulletin 118. Webinar Login Information: (*No pre-registration required) Meeting Name: Online Test Security Webinar Click here to join the meeting or go to Enter the meeting room as a guest and provide your name. Audio access via phone bridge: (800) / room number: Select the "listen only mode" if joining the meeting via computer or smartphone. Please contact assessment@la.gov with any questions. Department Releases Spring 2015 ELA and Math Assessment Results The spring 2015 ELA and Math district and school-level assessment results are currently available on the LDOE's secure FTP. Data Coordinators should download their files, and provide the results to their Superintendent, District Test Coordinator and Accountability Contact. These files contain assessment data including students rosters from only, as SIS has not yet closed. Additional data for all students enrolled during will be provided during the week of November 9. Please assessment@la.gov with questions. ACT and DCAI Post-Data Certification Rosters Please share with Accountability Contacts and District Test Coordinators (DTCs). ACT and DCAI post-data certification rosters will be available on the Data Management sftp site (with usernames ending from October 20, 2015 until November 20, These rosters include changes requested and approved during fall data certification. ACT rosters are named LEACode_LEAName_ _ACT_Roster. DCAI rosters are named LEACode_LEAName_2015_DCAI Roster. Please contact assessment@la.gov with any questions.

7 Upcoming Accountability Commission Meetings Fall and Winter Accountability Commission Meetings Meeting: Accountability Commission: October Meeting Accountability Commission: December Meeting When/Where: CANCELLED Friday, December 4 1:00p.m. Thomas Jefferson Room (1-136) Claiborne Building, Baton Rouge Please contact assessment@la.gov with any questions. Data Data Collection Deadline Extensions Please share with Data Coordinators and Special Education Directors. A building-wide network issue is causing users to experience slow processing times and connectivity loss with the Special Education Reporting (SER) and Student Information (SIS) Systems. While the issue has been isolated, and a resolution is expected soon, the Department is extending the deadline for the SIS MFP collection period and final run of the SER IDEA child count to give LEAs additional time to complete their work. If users are unable to access SER, compliance can be maintained by completing paper IEP forms and documents which can then be entered into SER any time before the deadline. The most recent documents can be downloaded here. While Thursday, October 1is the count date, please be advised of the following deadline extensions: For SER, LEAs have until November 9 to verify, clean up, and ensure all data is submitted. The Department will run the final IDEA Child Count on Monday, November 9 at 5:00 p.m. To be included in the October 1 IDEA Child Count, a student must have the following: A current evaluation disseminated on or before October 1 A current IEP with a team meeting date on or before October 1 Active services beginning on or before October 1 For SIS, LEAs have until Tuesday, October 27 at 2:00 p.m. to submit enrollment for delivery of PARCC results.the deadline to verify, clean up, and ensure all MFP data are complete has been extended to Friday, October 30 at 5:00 p.m. In an effort to assist LEAs with meeting these deadlines, the Systems Management team will deliver daily reports to data coordinators that alert LEAs to potential discrepancies. Daily updates on the issue and resolution are being published to the LDOE INSIGHT Coordinator's Portal. Summary of Reported Personnel The Summary of Reported Personnel, a file typically generated using the reports feature on INSIGHT, is available on the FTP as of Tuesday, October 13. The file named "LEACode_LEA_2014SummaryReportofPersonnel," will be available on the Data Management FTP site (with usernames ending from Tuesday, October 13 until Friday, November 13. Please supply these data to your Business Manager for Audit Assurance purposes. ldedata@la.gov with questions.

8 Update on Vendor Data Sharing Agreements Pursuant to R.S. 17:3914, LEAs must have a contract or data sharing agreement in place with private vendors that deliver services under state contracts in order to share personally identifiable student data. Based on feedback from LEAs, the Department is in the process of amending existing data sharing agreements and posting them on the LDOE website. The Department currently has the following data sharing agreements for viewing here: ACT (*NEW*) Pacific Metrics (OAS) University of Oregon (DIBELS) escholar CAI (SER) Red-e Set Grow isteep Pacific Metrics (EAGLE) Teaching Strategies Gold Brookes Publishing (AEPSi) Districts and charters should download the addenda from the site, sign, scan, and the signed copy to LDEData@la.gov in order to ensure that they will be able to share student information with these vendors for testing and reporting purposes. Please ldedata@la.gov with questions. Policy October BESE Summary Meeting The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) met on October 13 and approved a number of bulletin revisions and Department recommendations. A summary of the approvals that directly impact the activities of local education agencies may be accessed here. Resource Guide for Supporting Undocumented Youth The USDOE has developed a guidebook of available resources that educators and school personnel can use to better serve and support undocumented students in secondary and postsecondary settings. Special Education Special Education Advisory Panel Vacancy Announcement The Louisiana Department of Education is seeking applications for membership on the Special Education Advisory Panel

9 La. education board sets grading scale for Common Core tests (SEAP). Members of SEAP represent public and private sectors that by virtue of their position, interest, or training can contribute information in regard to the education of students with disabilities. The Special Education Advisory Panel advises and assists the Louisiana Department of Education with the provision of free and appropriate public education for individuals with disabilities. Currently, there is a vacancy in the role of a representative of a vocational, community, or business organization concerned with the provision of transition services to children with disabilities. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20, Contact SpecialEducation@la.gov with questions. To access the application click here. Student Programs Homeless Education Technical Assistance Webinars The USDOE requires that each LEA has a homeless liaison who is aware of homeless education regulations and policies. The LDE will be hosting webinars to provide guidance on homeless education and homeless liaisons are encouraged to participate. Upon completion of a webinar, homeless liaisons should their Certificate of Completion to their POC within two (2) weeks. If you miss a webinar, please check the NCHE website ( for a rebroadcast date/time. Register for Homeless Webinars If you have any questions, please reach out to your Point of Contact (POC). REMINDER- Registration Now Open: Methods of Administration Civil Rights Review Training Please forward to District and Postsecondary CTE Coordinators and Facility Managers. The Louisiana Community & Technical College System and the Louisiana Department of Education are planning a one-day event to be held at the West Baton Rouge Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2750 North Westport Drive, Port Allen, LA 70767, on November 17, 2015, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., on the subject of Methods of Administration Civil Rights Reviews. Mr. Michael Brustein, of Brustein & Manasevit, Attorneys at Law, will present on the major civil rights laws that inform Methods of Administration Civil Rights Reviews. The target audience will be CTE Coordinators and Facility Managers and postsecondary Perkins Representatives and Facility Managers. Please click here to register. For more information at this time, please contact Terry Simoneaux, LDOE, at Terry.Simoneaux@la.gov or Patricia Felder, LCTCS, at patriciafelder@lctcs.edu. Education in the News BESE endorses plan to allow Common Core test comparisons with 10 states and D. C. La. education board sets grading scale for Common Core tests David Thibodaux students' project headed to space

10 La. education board sets grading scale for Common Core tests BESE Approves Score Ranges, Achievement Levels for State Tests Amid nervousness, Louisiana raising bar on what students should know Louisiana's graduation rate nears 75 percent LDOE Contacts John White State Superintendent of Education (toll-free) LDOE Links LDOE Website Contact Us STAY CONNECTED