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State Board Approves
2005-06 SARC Template and Data Definitions
At its July 2006 meeting, the California State Board of Education (SBE) approved the 2005-06 School Accountability Report Card (SARC) template and data definitions as proposed by the California Department of Education (CDE) staff. The SARC template is intended to guide the preparation of report cards to be published in the 2006-07 school year.
The 2005-06 template is available at 2005-06 SARC by selecting "SARC Template in Word". Included with the template is a suggested format for an optional, two-page Executive Summary SARC. The template is currently only available in a Word format (without data) at this same Web address. In addition, the data definitions that support the template are available at 2005-06 SARC by selecting "Data Element Definitions." The version of the template that can be downloaded with data is anticipated to be available by September 30, 2006.
In addition to the template, a summary of changes document that summarizes the most significant changes to the SARC template compared to the prior year’s template is available at the template Web address listed above. These changes include the following:
- The reporting elements have been reordered and in some cases retitled to provide a more useful and understandable organizational format for the report card.
- Many of the reporting elements have been reduced in scope so that they are more accurately aligned with state or federal requirements. Multi-year and multi-level comparisons that are not required by law have been retained only where needed to provide appropriate context for accountability purposes.
- Several related reporting elements have been combined into a single table. Examples include the reporting elements for teacher misassignments and vacant teacher positions, textbooks and instructional materials, Adequate Yearly Progress, and courses for University of California and/or California State University admission.
- Some of the reporting elements have been redesigned to improve their readability and usefulness. Examples include the reporting elements for California Standards Tests, Norm-Referenced Test, Academic Performance Index, and Adequate Yearly Progress.
- The introductory descriptions for all the reporting elements have been shortened and rewritten so that they provide simpler and clearer statements about the purpose and context of each reporting element.
- Several reporting elements have been either added or modified in response to the enactment of Senate Bill 687 (Chapter 368, Statutes of 2005). This measure added new reporting elements for teacher salaries and modified existing reporting elements relating to expenditures per pupil, career technical education, and textbooks and instructional materials.
Update on Pending Legislation Affecting the SARC
Senate Bill 1510 (Alquist) (Outside Source) — This bill is sponsored by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, the bill would establish February 1 as an annual statewide publication deadline for all SARCs.
In addition, the bill would repeal the following reporting elements from inclusion in the SARC:
- Local assessment results
- Percentage of pupils in grades kindergarten through grade 3 that are participating in the Class Size Reduction Program
- Whether the school qualifies for the Governor’s Performance Award Program
- School instruction and leadership
- The degree to which pupils are prepared to enter the workforce
Senate Bill 1510 is currently awaiting final legislative action. If enacted, the bill would be transmitted to the Governor for his signature or veto. If it becomes law, the bill would take effect on January 1, 2007.
If you have questions or comments about the topics covered in this newsletter, or suggestions for topics for a future newsletter, please contact us as indicated below.
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