Staff Analysis of the Legislation
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SUMMARY: LC 33 3459 Same as SB 352
Establishes a system of grading schools based upon student achievement.
REQUIREMENTS:
- requires the Department of Education to use a student growth model as the primary factor in calculating AYP
- establishes individual school ratings for grades 4-8 of A, B, C, D, or F based upon student performance on CRCT scores
- school ratings shall be calculated on a complicated formula called a 'year of learning' (see the bill, below)
- a maximum of 20% of schools shall receive a grade of A
- establishes individual school ratings for grades 9-12 of A, B, C, D, or F based upon student performance on end-of-course tests
- school ratings shall be calculated on a complicated formula involving an "acceptable growth threshold" and other data (see the bill, below)
- schools which receive an A shall receive a bonus of up to $50 per FTE. The school council shall determine how such funds will be spent.
- schools which receive an F shall not be eligible for waivers of state law
- schools which receive an F for two or more consecutive years shall have a three-member oversight board appointed by the Governor which may impose interventions or sanctions
- CRCTs will be limited to English and language arts, mathematics, reading, and social studies in grades 3-8
- in the 2013-14 school year, end-of-course assessments shall replace the Georgia High School Graduation Test
- writing assessments shall be administered in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11
POINTS TO CONSIDER:
- provides a parallel grading system for Georgia schools in addition to AYP
- involves a complicated system for calculating grades to be assigned to schools
- provides for awards and interventions
- will add to the cost of school and school operations in a time of declining fiscal resources
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon approval by the Governor or by becoming law without such approval.
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Short Note:
"Florida model" of school ratings proposed |