response to the blue ribbon commission’s recommendations of the 2009 criterion referenced...
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Response to the Blue Ribbon Commission’s Recommendations of the 2009 Criterion Referenced
Competency Test (CRCT) Erasure Investigation
Dr. Beverly L. HallSuperintendent
Atlanta Public Schools
August 16, 2010
Blue Ribbon Commission ResponseAgenda
▪Purpose and Overview▪Recommendations and APS Approach▪Next Steps
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Purpose
Atlanta Public Schools has begun the work to implement each of the recommendations in the report presented by
the Blue Ribbon Commission. We are committed to ensuring that 100 percent of the recommendations are
addressed and fully implemented.
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Overview
▪Work that has already started–Caveon security measures–Accelerated Academic Recovery Program–Investigation of employees referred by the BRC–Reassigned 12 principals
▪Twenty-nine recommendations outlined in the BRC report–Plan to address each recommendation–Plan to track and ensure implementation
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Background
▪Blue Ribbon Commission’s report included 29 recommendations:– Security (in addition to Caveon recommendations provided in April)– Process– Leadership– Comparison
▪Recommendation Owners– Each recommendation has been assigned to a division and individual
owner– Each owner is a member of my leadership team
▪Action Plans– Each recommendation owner has submitted initial action plans
outlining how each recommendation will be achieved
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Security Recommendations
▪Security recommendations encompass:–Developing a comprehensive test security plan that
includes best-in-class test administration procedures–Continuing to research the unusually high number of
erasures–Reinforcing and communicating existing policies and any
new policies or changes
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Security Recommendations
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▪BRC Security Recommendation 1–Implement a well-defined program for follow-up and
continued monitoring of CRCT test security
▪Administration’s Response–A comprehensive APS security manual is being developed–Manual will include annual security goals and input from
the Georgia Department of Education and/or the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement–APS Internal Auditor will develop a plan to conduct
regular internal audits for each CRCT
Security Recommendations
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▪BRC Security Recommendation 2–Research and identify causes of unusually high number of
erasures with the district and implement best practices
▪Administration’s Response–Requested erasure data from GOSA–Conduct statistical analysis of erasure data received–Identify and implement best practices in test preparation–Analyze test results extensively
Security Recommendations
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▪BRC Security Recommendation 3–Reinforce APS' testing policies and procedures, and
ensure that all appropriate training takes place for employees involved in the administration of the CRCT
▪Administration’s Response–All security measures and annual enhancements will be
posted to the district website–School-based and central office staff will be trained
annually–All APS staff involved with testing will have clearly
defined security duties and responsibilities
Security Recommendations
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▪BRC Security Recommendation 4–Communicate a policy that emphasizes ethics and
accountability for adherence to the policies and training requirements -- as well as the ramifications for violating such policies and requirements
▪Administration’s Response–Ethics training will be provided to employees district-
wide–Testing workshops will reinforce and review ethics
policies–Employees will be required to annually acknowledge
receipt and understanding of district ethics policies
Security Recommendations
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▪BRC Security Recommendation 5–Formally document any policy or schedule changes
related to the CRCT test materials
▪Administration’s Response–Formal documentation was implemented for schedule
changes during the Spring 2010 CRCT–This process will be formalized as part of the Security
plan
Security Recommendations
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▪BRC Security Recommendation 6–Establish a test security plan and ongoing budget for test
security
▪Administration’s Response–A comprehensive test security plan in development–Cost of implementation part of annual budget
Security Recommendations
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▪BRC Security Recommendation 7–Implement annual compliance and ethics certifications
and approvals
▪Administration’s Response–Ethics training/certification program will be provided
annually to employees district-wide
Security Recommendations
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▪BRC Security Recommendation 8–Establish ongoing external monitoring and reporting for
standardized testing at all APS schools
▪Administration’s Response–The district will continue to utilize a three-tiered
monitoring process–State-level monitoring will be requested
Process Recommendations
▪The process recommendations involve:–Follow up to ensure immediate assistance is given to
students impacted by testing irregularities–Developing a plan to track implementation of all of the
recommendations–Following up on the results of the investigation–Enhancing existing protocols for future CRCT
administrations and new audit routines
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Process Recommendations
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▪BRC Process Recommendation 1–Commit publicly to aggressively follow-up on the results
of the investigation by establishing a well-defined plan to consider the findings and recommendations in the BRC report
▪Administration’s Response–Public acceptance of the BRC report–Provide a plan of action to address the findings of the
BRC report
Process Recommendations
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▪BRC Process Recommendation 2–Develop a plan that includes a project leader, clear
objectives, work plan, schedule and deliverables
▪Administration’s Response–A project leader has been appointed–An APS owner has been assigned to each
recommendation–Initial action plans have been created and appropriate
monitoring and status reporting will be scheduled
Process Recommendations
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▪BRC Process Recommendation 3–Conduct further investigation of the referred individuals
within the Identified Schools and take whatever administrative, legal or professional action APS considers appropriate
▪Administration’s Response–The BRC report and all relevant documents are being
reviewed–Each matter is being referred to appropriate counsel or
another government agency–Investigations will be conducted and disciplinary actions
will be processed as appropriate
Process Recommendations
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▪BRC Process Recommendation 4–Conduct an analysis of individual student performance of
those students APS determines may have been impacted by testing irregularities to determine if additional academic assistance and support are needed. If support is warranted, immediate action should be taken to mobilize appropriate assistance for the students for as long as necessary
▪Administration’s Response–Analysis of individual student performance has been
completed–12 week accelerated academic recovery plans are being
implemented–Regular communications with parents
Process Recommendations
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▪BRC Process Recommendation 5–Develop protocols to pro-actively conduct erasure
analysis after future CRCT administrations
▪Administration’s Response–Erasure data has been requested from GOSA and will be
requested each year–Conduct statistical analysis of erasure data received
Process Recommendations
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▪BRC Process Recommendation 6–Develop regular internal audit routines for each
administration of the CRCT focused on: test security protocols; test administration; and detailed APS erasure analysis
▪Administration’s Response–APS Internal Auditor will develop a plan to conduct
regular audits for each CRCT test administration
Process Recommendations
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▪BRC Process Recommendation 7– Document any testing irregularities identified and specific plans for
follow-up and resolution, including referrals to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and/or Fulton County District Attorney's Office, as appropriate
▪Administration’s Response– Strictly adhere to all of the Georgia Department of Education’s
testing and assessment processes for reporting testing irregularities– Establish a reporting timetable to facilitate communication among
relevant implementing departments– Identify resources for collection, review, entry and reporting of
data
Leadership Recommendations
▪Leadership recommendations involve–Driving culture change–Re-assessing current incentive, performance and
evaluation systems–Utilizing new forms of review and feedback–Publishing and addressing any additional findings related
to the 2009 testing period–Reinforcing and communicating existing, supporting
policies
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Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 1–Drive culture change throughout the district to create an
environment that effectively balances attention to measurable student outcomes with attention to positive, ethical behavior
▪Administration’s Response–All educators will be required and held accountable for
providing effective instructional environments while complying with all ethics standards–Encourage employees to be transparent in internal and
external communications
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 2–Proactively re-assess incentive systems and performance
evaluation processes for all district employees with a focus on achieving this appropriate balance
▪Administration’s Response–The current incentive programs and performance
evaluation processes will be reviewed as APS develops future compensation approaches
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 3–Establish annual goals and performance plans that
include a significant emphasis on leadership, integrity and ethics
▪Administration’s Response–Ethics training/certification program will be provided
annually to employees district-wide
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 4–Incorporate self-assessment into the annual plan
evaluation processes for leadership
▪Administration’s Response–A self-assessment process will be developed and
implemented within the existing evaluation process for all instructional leaders
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 5–Incorporate surveys of teachers and support staff into
annual performance planning for principals to provide qualitative evidence on principal performance
▪Administration’s Response–A standardized survey instrument will be used to assess
school climate district-wide–School climate survey results will be utilized as an artifact
to provide feedback to principals in the evaluation process
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 6–Provide observations of principals, which may include
shadowing or other efforts, for assessments of leadership ability compared to the critical skills determined for the position. Incorporate data on observed behaviors into the annual assessment process for leaders to assess their competency relative to those skills deemed to be critical for each position
▪Administration’s Response– Coordinate site visits or instructional audits to assess the use of
instructional best practices and procedures– Feedback from site visits and instructional audits will be provided
to principals and used to inform the principal evaluation process
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 7–Provide opportunities for regular, anonymous peer and
upward feedback as well as processes for following through and managing this information
▪Administration’s Response–School Climate Survey referenced in Recommendation 5–Research being conducted on other feedback
instruments to provide this information
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 8–Conduct principal peer reviews and incorporate this
information into annual evaluation processes
▪Administration’s Response–A peer review process will be standardized for district
principals
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 9–Provide the ABE additional recommendations on plans to
monitor the principals and other leaders of the schools being referred by the BRC
▪Administration’s Response–An experienced educational specialist has been
appointed to support and monitor principals during implementation of accelerated academic recovery plans
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 10– Reinforce and publicize externally and internally APS' policies that
protect APS employees who report misconduct or violations from reprisals, retaliation, and other hostile workplace actions
▪Administration’s Response–An external company has been selected to provide a
confidential hot line for employees to report misconduct–A plan will be developed and implemented to facilitate
on-going communication with employees regarding school district policies in the areas of whistle blower protection, ethics, and conflict of interest
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 11–Publish additional findings made with respect to events
that may have occurred during the 2009 testing period
▪Administration’s Response–A communication plan has been developed–The district website will be utilized for regular updates to
the CRCT portal
Leadership Recommendations
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▪BRC Leadership Recommendation 12– Given that the findings relate to events that may have occurred
during the 2009 CRCT and that personnel changes may have occurred since that time period, APS must provide appropriate support for the implementation of recommendations by the current leadership of schools
▪Administration’s Response– An educational specialist will support and monitor the
implementation of recommendations– Leadership and staff will be provided necessary support, training
and resources to implement the recommendations district-wide
CRCT Comparison Recommendations
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▪BRC CRCT Comparison recommendations encompass:–Additional recommendations focused on the findings
related to the comparison of the 2009 and 2010 CRCT results
CRCT Comparison Recommendations
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▪BRC CRCT Comparison Recommendation 1– Given the high number of declines in Math (2010 CRCT), the BRC
recommends that APS conduct a broad assessment of math outcomes to further determine the root causes of the declines
▪Administration’s Response– The use of state instructional frameworks will be standardized
district-wide and the monitoring process will be updated and aligned to ensure the correct use of frameworks– Existing mathematics coaching structures will be revised to ensure
job embedded support for all schools with mathematics performance declines– The professional development strategy for improving mathematics
will be reviewed
CRCT Comparison Recommendations
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▪BRC CRCT Comparison Recommendation 2– The BRC recommends that the District conduct a further in-depth
assessment in the 33 schools that demonstrated a significant decline in 2010 CRCT test results
▪Administration’s Response– Based upon spring CRCT scores, the district will conduct further in-
depth analysis to determine root causes– The district will provide support, progress monitoring and targeted
intervention strategies for the selected schools to improve instructional quality
Next Steps
▪Committed to implementing 100% of recommendations
▪ Collaborative effort across several divisions and departments
▪ Ensure full implementation, we will utilize:–APS Project Management Methodology–Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for reporting progress▫ Semi-annual report▫Annual report▫Quarterly reports to ABE
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▪Our highest responsibility is to provide the best possible education for our students in every classroom and in every school
▪We will continue to follow up on the BRC investigative report while staying focused on our main purpose – greater student achievement
Next Steps
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