§ 6-15-435 - Required analyses. - Arkansas Statutes

6-15-435. Required analyses.

The Department of Education shall provide, at a minimum, for the following analyses of data produced by the student achievement testing program:

(1) The statistical system for the annual assessments shall use the Arkansas Comprehensive Assessment Program examinations and other valid and reliable measures of student learning deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education to determine classroom, school, and school district statistical distributions that shall measure the differences in a student's previous year's achievement compared to the current year's achievement for the purposes of improving student achievement, accountability, and recognition;

(2) (A) The statistical system shall provide the best estimates of classroom, school, and school district effects on student progress based on established, value-added longitudinal calculations.

(B) The approach used by the department shall be approved by the state board before implementation; and

(3) (A) (i) The approach used by the department shall be in alignment with federal statutes and be piloted in the 2004-2005 school year to collect data to allow research and evaluation of student achievement growth models.

(ii) The approach shall include the following:

(a) Value-added longitudinal calculations;

(b) Sufficient transparency in the models' conception and operation to allow others in the field to validate or replicate the results; and

(c) An assessment of the models' accurateness in relation to other models.

(iii) A team of relevant technical experts in student assessment and the state board shall review and approve the cost effectiveness of the model in terms of actual and in-kind costs before implementation.

(B) The department shall establish a schedule for the administration of the statewide assessments.

(C) (i) Beginning in the 2005-2006 school year and each subsequent year thereafter, in establishing such a schedule, the department is charged with the duty to accomplish the latest possible administration of the statewide assessments and the earliest possible provision, but no later than July 1, of the results to the school districts.

(ii) For end-of-course exams, the department may extend the July 1 deadline under subdivision (3)(C)(i) of this section to August 1 if the department finds, based on the request for proposals, that:

(a) The cost of administration of the end-of-course exam will be substantially more because of the earlier deadline; or

(b) The validity of the end-of-course exam results will be compromised because of the earlier deadline.

(D) School district boards of directors shall not establish school calendars that jeopardize or limit the valid testing and comparison of student learning gains.