Review Academic Performance Index and California Standards Test for Alliance Schools:

Assessment Tools to Measure Student Outcomes

Using the State Standards, College-Ready public schools have clearly defined what students should know in each core subject at each grade/course level. These measurable student outcomes are based on the content of the curriculum and will serve as the basis to measure student outcomes. Student achievement in developingconceptual thinking, problem-solving skills, and content mastery will be assessed using multiple measures, based on an assessment program that both improves learning and provides assurances of accountability. Students will be able to demonstrate proficiencywhen measured against multiple measures. Proficiency will be measured using an assessment model that is formative and summative, holistic and standardized, narrative and norm referenced. The approach will be conducive to benchmarking students against statewide benchmarks and against themselves, evaluating groups of students and assessing the whole school from year to year for longitudinal study of our progress. The assessment measures will include but not be limited to:

• State Mandated Standardized Tests (CAT 6, Content Standards Tests, CELDT, CAHSEE)
• Academic Performance Index
• Interim School Wide Student Assessment (Edusoft)
• College Entrance Exams, PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, CSU Entrance/Placement Exams
• California High School Exit Exam
• Analysis of Student Projects
• Student Progress Reports, Quarterly
• Ongoing Classroom Teacher Assessments
• Student Conduct Records

State Mandated Tests
College-Ready will meet all statewide standards and conduct pupil assessments required pursuant to Section 60605 and any other statewide standards authorized in statute or student assessments applicable to students in non-charter public schools. The assessment structure will include the CAT-6, in addition to other standards-based and performance-based assessment tools such as the SAT standardized tests, comprehensive final exams in each of the core academic subjects, quizzes and tests, homework assignments, essays and research reports, and teacher evaluation of in class performance. These measurements will be weighted and combined into a comprehensive educational program assessment to determine student achievement and promotion to the next grade level. The aggregate results will be issued as a report card to the community evaluating the measurable goals and terms outlined in the charter. College-Ready will conduct assessment and standardized testing of students with disabilities using state and District guidelines for modifications and adaptations.

Ongoing Interim Assessment
On-going assessment and evaluation of educational outcomes are vital in determining if the educational purposes are attained. The first step in the assessment process is the collection of data and information. The student achievement data routinely gathered and analyzed include:

• Results from regularly scheduled assessments given in core academic subjects.
• In classroom departmental placement and final exams.
• Results from CAT-6, PSAT, SAT I & II, CAHSEE, Golden State Exams (if offered), and Advanced Placement Exams.

Analysis of Student Work
Under the leadership of the principal, teachers will regularly use a wide range of assessment information to modify curriculum and instruction and to improve student achievement. Teachers, in collaboration with the Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools (ACRPS), will develop and implement an efficient, student performance data gathering and reporting system to benchmark student performance using multiple measures of assessment and data gathering techniques, including:

• Observing the lessons teachers are delivering and the nature of student participation in classroom activities.
• Interviewing students about their courses of study.
• Conducting student case studies.
• Shadowing/Accompanying students during their school day.
• Using Rubrics and Benchmarks to calibrate teacher assessments of student work projects.
• Using Electronic Pupil Portfolios as part of data collection
• Analyzing the results of parent and student surveys.

Student Progress Reports
Teachers will prepare and provide a student progress report on a quarterly basis for the students and their parents. The student progress report will use multiple measures such as teacher assessments, portfolio/exhibits, and specific assessments developed to quantify student performance. Student progress reports will reflect their progress towards advanced, proficient, partially proficient or not proficient performance.Measurement for College-Readiness in Partnership with CSUPart of the measure of determining readiness for college will include the CSU early assessment and/or placement exams. Our goal is to prepare students who are ready to perform in college level coursework. Students who are successful in their junior high school year on the CSU early assessment exam will have the opportunity to attend courses on a CSU campus in their senior high school year. Students who graduate from high school and spend their first year in remedial college classes are 50% less likely to complete their college coursework. Though our goal is to prepare students for a four-year college program, students who choose to make the transition to a community college academic program will be considered to have met our college-ready goal using the same assessment. Academic Performance Index (API) is one of the major indicators of the success of the educational program at College-Ready public schools. The purpose of the API is to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. A school’s score or placement on the API is an indicator of the school’s performance level and growth as measured by how well the school is moving towards target goals. College-Ready public schools will meet the following API growth indicators:

• Annual API will meet or exceed the established growth target.
• All subgroups will make at least 80% of the school target.
• The CAT-6 participation rate will be at least 95%.

California High School Exit Exam
All students beginning with 10th grade will take the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). It is expected that by the time that each student completes the 12th grade they will have passed the CAHSEE and receive a diploma. All students continually enrolled at College-Ready high schools for three years will pass the CAHSEE.

Factors That Influence Academic Achievement
Each school will carefully monitor both the process and
outcome of its program in three areas that influence academic achievement and growth: Student Conduct, Parent Involvement, and Professional Development.