The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Report from the Advisory Council on School and District Accountability and Assistance

Advisory Council on School and District Accountability and Assistance (AAAC) Update to Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

May 2011

1. AAAC has met six times since September 2010.
   1. Discussed feedback and learning from the 2009-10 district reviews and plans for the 2010-11 district reviews
   2. Reviewed DESE's criteria and formula for designating Level 3 Schools
   3. Reviewed and commented on District and School Assistance Center (DSAC) activities with Level 3 districts and strategies for district self-assessments
   4. Reviewed and revised District Standards and Conditions for School Effectiveness
   5. Monitored district review processes and protocols
   6. Reviewed and commented on draft guidance for Level 4 Districts
   7. Reviewed and commented on DESE's Level 4 school intervention strategies
   8. Discussed strategies for incorporating the student growth percentile into Level 4 school and district identification methodologies
   9. Reviewed and commented on DESE district accountability data initiatives (DART, district review data analysis, Level 4 school data packets)
   10. Reviewed and revised draft plan for Level 5 district co-governance
   11. Reviewed and revised draft plan for required planning and monitoring for Level 4 districts
   12. Advised on the timeline for identifying the next cohort of Level 4 schools; proposed fall 2012
   
   
2. AAAC feedback has been incorporated into DESE policies and protocols.
   1. Added an additional interview with union leadership to triangulate information collected during the course of a District Review
   2. Revised the profile section of the District Review report with plans to further revise this summer
   3. Increased focus in the District Reviews on the district use of its financial resources to improve each system
   4. Concerning District Review report dissemination, ensured School Committees, press, legislators, and other public forums are part of communication plan
   5. Added a focus emphasis to Level 4 district improvement plans; name change discussion led to change from 'accelerated" or "focused" to just calling them Level 4 District Plans
   6. Added a focus emphasis on Level 4 School Redesign Plans to ensure a smaller number of priorities
   7. Prioritized achievement (MCAS CPI) over growth (SGP) to identify lowest 20% of schools for Level 3
   8. More clearly delineated limited School Committee responsibilities under Level 5 District Co-Governance
   
   
3. DESE has been open and responsive to AAAC comments and observations.
   1. Discussions with DESE have been characterized by richness and openness.
   2. DESE has solicited and listened to feedback from the AAAC.
   3. AAAC has noted DESE thoughtfulness and sense of responsibility in implementation of accountability and assistance regulations.
   4. AAAC has continued to support an increase in accountability funding without using increasingly important targeted assistance funds to cover the identified gap.