Transition to New Assessments: Impact on Report Cards and Educator Evaluation Part 2 - As Ohio transitions to new assessments, many have asked how the next generation of state tests will be integrated into District/School Report Cards and educator evaluation systems. In general, these tests will be integrated into Report Cards with very little change to the overall structure. The number of indicators will increase and the tests feeding into the measures will change, but the calculations used to generate the measures and Report Cards will still be very similar. This segment outlines two of the many changes that can be expected during this transition. ODE Identifies indicators that will be on future Report Cards - The number of indicators on Report Cards will increase and vary over the next few years during the transition. For the 2014-2015 Report Card, districts and schools may have up to 36 indicators:
- 3rd grade Reading OAA
- 3rd grade math, and 4-8 ELA and math, PARCC (11)
- 5th and 8th grade science
- 4th and 6th grade social studies
- 10th grade OGTs (5)
- 11th grade OGTs (5)
- All math and English language arts end-of-course exams (6)
- Physical science, American history and government end-of-course exams
- Gifted Indicator
The 2015-16 Report Card will have up to 32 indicators:
- 3-8 ELA and math, PARCC (12)
- 5th and 8th grade science
- 4th and 6th grade social studies
- 11th grade OGT (5)
- All math and English language arts end-of-course exams (6)
- Biology, physical science, American history and government end-of-course exams
- Gifted Indicator
The 2016-17 Report Card will have up to 27 indicators:
- 3-8 ELA and math, PARCC (12)
- 5th and 8th grade science
- 4th and 6th grade social studies
- All math and English language arts end-of-course exams (6)
- Biology, physical science, American history and government end-of-course exams
- Gifted Indicator
Source: Ohio Department of Education
Schools and districts will receive Value-Added grades during the transition to the new assessments - All districts and any schools serving students in one or more grades between four and eight will continue to receive up to four value-added letter grades (Overall, Students with Disabilities, Gifted, and Lowest 20 percent) during the transition. In 2014-15 and beyond, the following assessments will be used to generate the four value-added grades:
- 4th through 8th grade PARCC ELA and math (10 tests)
- 5th and 8th grade science
- 6th grade social studies
The grade 3 reading OAA and the grade 3 PARCC math test administered to students in the 2014-15 school year will be used as the baseline data for the purpose of generating the 2016 measure grades.
Governor Signs House Bill (HB 7) Safe Harbor into Law - On Monday, Governor John Kasich signed House Bill 7 into law. The bill is effective immediately.
Third Grade Reading Guarantee:
- Restates language in House Bill 367 of the 130th General Assembly requiring Ohio’s third grade students to take the Ohio Achievement Assessment in the spring of the 2014-2015 school year in lieu of the PARCC.
Kindergarten - Grade 8:
- Students in grades K-8 will be protected from any harm to their school grades, promotion or demotion as a result of their performance on the PARCC assessment.
- Students scores on the PARCC will be shared with the students, parents/guardians and the school; or upon request of the parents/guardians or students
Students in Grade 9 (The Class of 2018):
- Students in the class of 2018 will be protected from any harm to their school grades, promotion or demotion as a result of their performance on the End of Course Exam (PARCC).
- Students scores on the PARCC will be shared with the students, parents/guardians and the school; or upon request of the parents/guardians or students
- Permits students to retake any end-of-course exam throughout their academic career after they have completed the course. The timing and procedures will be determined by the Ohio State School Board.
Key Changes Made in the Senate:
- Clarified the prohibition on the release of individual student score reports.
- Eliminated the existing prohibition on counting untested students for funding purposes in the subsequent school year for tests administered during the 2014-15 school year.
- Clarified the intentions that students will retake test that are different than the test originally offered to reduce any ability for students to cheat.
- Clarifying language to ensure that a student could not lose their Edchoice scholarship if they do not take the PARCC test this school year.
Source: Ohio House District 84 Representative Jim Buchy
Teachers will begin value-added roster verification April 15 - The school set-up period for value-added roster verification begins March 23 for principals and their support teams in districts that have chosen to participate in this process. Administrators have until April 14 to verify their staff lists and assignments before the teacher review period begins.
On April 15, each teacher with value-added data at participating districts will receive an email message from the district’s value-added service provider that gives them access to verify rosters through May 12. These teachers will set up attribution for the students they taught, how long they taught them and the percentage of instruction they provided each student. Principals will then have until June 5 to approve rosters.
More teachers will be involved in roster verification this year than in the past. In addition to grades 4-8 mathematics and English language arts, the following test data will be included in the student growth portion of educator evaluation: grades 5 and 8 science; grade 6 social studies; and end-of-course state tests for high school credit in Algebra I, Integrated Mathematics I, English I and Physical Science.
Source: The Ohio Department of Education
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
Kristina Murphy Earns District Classified Employee of the Quarter Recognition - Congratulations to Kristina Murphy on joining Scott Ayers (1st Qtr) and Becky Boyd (2nd Qtr) as the district-level Classified Employee of the Quarter.
Kris worked covering our front office earlier this winter, as she stepped in to cover a vacancy and did an exceptional job managing the reception area, addressing residency and truancy concerns while working with Mr. Morrison, Mrs. Crabtree and Mr. Stevens. Kris has worked with Hamilton Local Schools for eight years and is the proud parent of two Hamilton Local students!
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
HTHS Support Staff Member of the Quarter - Mrs. Kim Schutte
"I would like to nominate Kim Schutte as Support Team Member of the Quarter. Kim works diligently in the athletic office. Her organization allows her to answer every parent, community member and coach's question at a minutes notice. Her personality and approachability makes her very easy to work with." HS Staff
"Mrs. Schutte is more than deserving of the HS staff member of the Quarter. She is very organized and completes multiple tasks that ensure that the Athletic Department runs smoothly. She continually has the community and students' interest in mind and does all that she can to help our coaches, and athletes be in a position for success both on and off the field of play. There are many times where her tasks take her out of the normal work day due to the nature of Athletics and should be recognized for these efforts." - HS Staff
"I recommend Mrs. Schutte for HTHS Employee of the Quarter. She makes my job enjoyable everyday. Even when times are tough and stressful, Kim keeps a positive attitude and encourages others through humor to keep up the hard work. Go Kim." - HS Staff
Mrs. Schutte stated, "I'm honored to be awarded as HTHS Support Staff Member of the Quarter. It's a privilege to work with such an amazing staff that does so much for the students of Hamilton Local Schools. Since I've graduated, and my children have graduated from HTHS, it has been rewarding to see the positive changes that have taken place over the last several years. It makes me proud to know that my entire family is alumni of Hamilton Township. From assisting Mr. Fitzgerald in all athletic matters, to scheduling athletic events, communicating with all districts, coaches and officials, transportation arranging, to coordinating the Athletic Hall of Fame, the most important and rewarding part of my job is to support all students in whatever it is, athletics or not. I proud to be part of such a great TEAM and honored to be considered for Support Staff Member of the Quarter."
Ohio Graduation Test Preparation - Students huddled around tables as electric probes attached to metals or dipped in ionic solutions light up; buzzing foam balls whizzing past peoples heads mimicking the whine of fire engines; teachers furiously writing on whiteboards as students balance equations and count protons and electrons in Bohrs Models...it can only be the annual Science Department OGT break-out session. Each year, the members of the Science Department hold a final study session the night before the Science OGT. The Department provides last minute help, pizza, and refreshments while the students provide a willingness to be attentive for at least two full hours, inquiring minds, and big appetites.
The amount of students that attend the sessions has grown each year showing a parallel growth in student attitudes towards high achievement. What started out as just a handful of students sitting around a table to get in those final practice problems has turned into nearly 100 students eager to do whatever it takes to ensure high performances on the exam. Students participated in rotating group sessions headed by the various members of the science department.
Each Science Department member used their expertise in a particular field to review as much material as possible about different topics ranging from plate tectonics to Newton's Laws, to genetics. After two intense hours of review, the students were rewarded with pizzas and soda. Spirits were high and most students stuck around asking each other last minute questions well in the early evening.
HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Hoyt Chosen as Classified Employee of the Quarter - For the third quarter of the 2014-2015 school year, Max Hoyt was selected as the Classified Employee of the Quarter at Hamilton Middle School. Max works as an educational aide in the Cross Categorical classroom and is also a coach for the athletic department. Max has been called upon for many different areas of need and has performed exceptionally well. He is always willing to do whatever is necessary to help students, the school, and his co-workers. Max is a true asset in the building!
HAMILTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Mother / Son Carnival Was A Great Success - On Friday February 27th, the HIS PTO held a Mother ~ Son Carnival with games, food and prizes. There were 130 moms and sons that came to the carnival. Everyone had a really fun time! Thank you to all that attended.
H.I.S Shoots Hoops For The Columbus Zoo - On March 24th, 25th and 26th, students at the Intermediate school have the opportunity to participate in our own version of “March Madness”. Students and staff will be raising money for a Spotlight Adoption of an animal at the Columbus Zoo. The teams will be Team “Z” to adopt a zebra or Team “C” to adopt a camel. Students that bring in 50 cents will get to “shoot a hoop” for their favorite animal!
Once the March Madness winner had been declared, students will then get to support the winner by making a dollar donation for PJ Dollar Donation Day on Thursday, April 2nd. Students can wear their favorite “school appropriate” PJs to school. The money collected will be used to make a Spotlight Adoption of our “March Madness” animal winner at the Columbus Zoo!
HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Classified Staff Member of the Quarter – Educational Aide Mindy Longbrake was selected as the Classified Staff Member for the 3rd quarter of the year. The anonymous staff member who nominated Mrs. Longbrake had this to say: “I would like to nominate Mindy Longbrake as the Classified Staff Member of the Quarter. We were all very sad to see Mr. Trisler go to the high school, but Mindy has been an excellent replacement. The ISS room has not missed a beat. She is very helpful when teachers need students to make up tests and has also helped by checking-in with students who need an extra adult to talk with. She does this on top of monitoring attendance for the building.”
Thanks for the Box Tops - Thank you to everyone who brought in Box Tops for Education for our Winter 2015 contest! We were able to collect 226,800, which equals $2,268.00. Hamilton Elementary uses the money earned from Box Tops for Education for attendance and behavior incentives, such as items for the Ranger Store. Our winners for this contest were Mrs. Gartland's class, Ms. Tigner's class, Mrs. Turner's class, and Mrs. Fisher's class. These homerooms won a Recess with the Principals. Thank you to everyone in the community for your continued support. Keep sending in those Box Tops for Education!
HAMILTON PRESCHOOL
Classified Preschool Staff Member of the Month - Mrs. Jenna Nott is Hamilton Preschool's Staff Member of the Quarter. This is Mrs. Nott’s first year working full time in our Preschool. She has proven to be a great hire and a dedicated staff member. She has a wonderful attitude, taken on the responsibility of PTO, and helps to plan activities for library and gym. Jenna is assigned to Mrs. Davisson's class. She is able to manage her time and work assignment very efficiently. Jenna is always willing to lend a helping hand and really cares about her students.
The Luck of the Irish - Hamilton Preschool celebrated St. Patrick's Day with wearing green and having a leprechaun visit each classroom. The leprechaun was very mischievous he moved desks and chairs in the classroom, put papers on the floor, and even left the students a surprise. The students were very excited about their special visitors and helped get the room organized. The day was filled with fun learning activities and stories.
Box Tops, Wish List, and Books! - Thanks to all who generously sent in their box tops and wish list items for the Preschool. All donations are greatly appreciated and used for this year's students. A special thank you to Grace Ministries Church & Pastor Faron Tabor and Superintendent Christopher Lester for their generous book donations for our Library! The books will used as to introduce our take home reading initiative and entitled “We Both Read”.
DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS
Spring Sports Schedules Posted - The Rangers spring sports schedules have been posted to the Athletics webpage. Follow the Rangers this spring and be sure to check for any changes to the schedule due to weather. Also, continue to check for results in the Ranger Recaps section, which is located on the Athletic Page as well.
UPCOMING EVENTS
See what’s happening in our district this week!
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