CMA Public Hearing Announcement for October 2011

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THREE REGIONAL PUBLIC HEARINGS

California State Board of Education

Proposed Performance Standards (Levels)
California Modified Assessment
for English-Language Arts in Grades Ten and Eleven and Geometry

To be used in reporting the results of the California Modified Assessment (CMA) for English-language arts (ELA) in grades ten and eleven and Geometry.

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Videoconference

San Diego County
Office of Education
Joe Rindone Regional Technology Center
Conference Room 208
6401 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111

858-571-7259

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Videoconference

Santa Clara County
Office of Education
Guadalupe Room
1290 Ridder Park Drive
San Jose, CA 95131

408-453-6500

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To: County and District Superintendents
Charter School Administrators
Other Interested Parties

In 2001, program reports for California’s Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program included, for the first time, student performance levels in ELA. Performance standards (i.e., performance levels) relate exclusively to students’ scores on the California Standards Tests (CSTs), which are aligned to California’s rigorous academic content standards. The designations for these performance levels are: advanced, proficient, basic, below basic, and far below basic.

For 2002, and thereafter, the reporting of student achievement based on these performance levels was expanded to include the CSTs in history–social science, mathematics, and, in part, science. In addition, the performance levels in ELA were modified for grades four and seven to incorporate students’ scores on the writing assessment conducted at those grade levels. For 2004, and thereafter, performance levels were reported on the grade five science CST. For 2006, and thereafter, the reporting of student achievement based on these performance levels was expanded to include science CSTs for grades five, eight, and ten.

The State Board of Education (SBE) is proposing to adopt performance standards (levels) for the CMA for ELA in grades ten and eleven and geometry, all of which were administered to students for the first time in 2011. Information on the proposed cut scores for establishing the performance standards (levels) will be made available on the SBE Web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/pn/pn/starpublichearings.asp on or before October 7, 2011.

Three regional public hearings will be conducted for the purpose of gathering comments from a cross section of interested parties, including teachers, administrators, school board members, and other local elected officials, business leaders, parents, guardians, and students. Comments and suggestions are sought on the proposed cut scores on the respective tests that will determine students’ performance levels.

The regional public hearings at the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the San Diego County Office of Education on October 18, 2011, will be videoconferences. SBE members whose schedules permit them to attend and SBE and California Department of Education staff will be prepared to accept public comments and input on a continuous basis during the videoconferences. Individuals are not required to prearrange a specific time to present their comments. Oral comments will be accepted as individuals arrive. Some delays may occur if many individuals arrive at the same time; patience will be appreciated if delays do occur.

The third and final regional public hearing will be conducted in Sacramento on November 10, 2011, in conjunction with the SBE’s regular November meeting. It will begin no earlier than 1:00 p.m. and will last only as long as necessary to hear from those who wish to orally testify at that time. The SBE may, at that time, make changes to the proposed performance standards (levels) based on public input and board discussion.

Individuals need not attend a regional public hearing to present their comments. The SBE will be pleased to receive comments by mail, e-mail, or fax. See below for contact information.

Mail:
California State Board of Education
Attention: Patricia de Cos
1430 N Street, Room 5111
Sacramento, CA 95814

E-mail:
sbe@cde.ca.gov

Fax:
916-319-0175

Please help us publicize these regional public hearings!