2014-15 Read to Achieve Information (updated January 22, 2015)
Current Good Cause Exemptions
Limited English Proficient students with less than two school years of instruction in ESL Program (Students who are identified and begin ESL instruction after July 1, 2013 would have a Good Cause this year.) Students with disabilities whose individualized education program indicates (i) the use of the NCEXTEND 1 alternate assessment, (ii) at least a two school year delay in educational performance, or (iii) receipt of intensive reading interventions for at least two school years Students who have (i) received reading intervention and (ii) previously been retained more than once in kindergarten, first, second, or third grades Students who demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students on local alternative assessments approved by the State Board of Education Students who demonstrate, through a student reading portfolio, reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students Students who demonstrate proficiency on Read to Achieve Test
Case 21
Case 21 is pending the State Boards approval for current 3rd graders. We anticipate hearing by late spring. Until we receive approval, Case 21 cannot be considered a good cause exemption in third grade. Please disregard the announcement that was posted earlier regarding Read to Achieve and third grade Case 21 for students in a 3/4 Transition class. While all exemptions from the previous year are still in place for the Retained Reading students, there are issues with scoring the Case 21 assessment off grade level. The scoring of Case 21 for the 2014-2015 school year is different from last year. We are investigating and working on a way for this to be an option for the third quarter benchmark. Please do not use a third grade Case 21 assessment for a Retained Reading student.
TRC Level P
This information was received from DPI: There have been some questions posed about third grade TRC at Level P and if an alternate assessor should be used. We realize that some children achieved Level P at BOY with the teacher of record. Since this was BOY and the teacher of record was not familiar with the child at that point, then this would be acceptable. As we approach MOY assessments, we are asking that third grade teachers not assess the students in their class IF they think the child will reach a Level P and be exempt under the Read to Achieve legislation. If a child is performing below grade level in reading and would not assess at a Level P, then the teacher of record can continue to complete the assessments. This same guideline would apply for EOY administration as well. As a reminder, when a teacher begins assessing a 3rd grade student with TRC, another teacher cannot log in and continue assessing. If you have any questions, contact Sharon Collins ([email protected]) Please remind your mCLASS Leaders to check the mCLASS Leader Edmodo periodically as that is where we will provide updates and communication.
Mid-Year Retention Lists
Third grade students who are demonstrating below grade level proficiency are placed on the mid-year retention list. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis after reviewing multiple data sources. Students are not placed on the retention list based on the Read to Achieve law alone. It is not a “requirement” for students with a Retained Reading designation to be placed on the mid-year retention list. Mid-year retention list decisions are done on a case-by-case basis. If a teacher, PLT and administrator believe it would best serve the student to be considered for retention, than the student may be placed on the retention list.
Student Attendance in Reading Camps
The 3rd Grade Good Cause Exemption Spreadsheet is in Oasis. This was created to be an organization tool throughout the year to keep up with the status of current 3rd graders. It was designed also to be helpful to school teams when looking at data across 3rd grade. Principals and IRT's have been granted access in addition to the Data Manager. The spreadsheet will also be utilized by Central Office to have real time information for reading camp planning across multiple departments (Transportation, Testing, Data & Accountability, Health Services, Special Education, Title One). Schools will need to determine who will be responsible for populating. Parents or guardians shall make the final decision regarding student reading camp attendance. Students will not be retained because they decline camp. Year Round: Students who have not yet met a good cause exemption or are not demonstrating reading proficiency shall be invited and parents encouraged to enroll their student in reading camp. Traditional: Students who have not passed the EOG or does not have a good cause exemption, or students who have met a good cause exemption but has not passed the EOG shall be invited and parents encouraged to enroll their student. . If a student is invited to camp and meets a good cause exemption during camp they may still attend the full duration or camp. LEAs shall provide at least one opportunity for students not participating in reading camp to demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for third grade students on a designated day during camp (alternative assessment).
DPI Read to Achieve Parent Brochure
DPI has created a parent brochure: North Carolina Read to Achieve: What Every Parent of a Third Grader Needs to Know. The brochure is located on the Principal Wiki, IRT Wiki, Read to Achieve Toolkit and the WCPSS Read to Achieve Parent Portal. The brochure can be ordered from the Print Shop.
Read to Achieve Parent Portal
The new address for the WCPSS Read to Achieve Parent Portal is: http://www.wcpss.net/Page/197