Board reviews DPI-required summer testing plan; retests may affect school proficiency ratings

Ian Nelson, a district accountability and assessment staff member, told the board the district must approve and submit a summer testing plan that combines instruction with retesting opportunities required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Nelson said the district will offer summer testing opportunities at all levels this year — middle school testing in June during workdays, elementary testing at the end of that week and high school testing after summer school. He said the plan differs from previous years because the district will provide summer testing at elementary, middle and high school levels.

Nelson explained the consequences: "For high school students, for example, it will not replace their grade that they received on the original test, but it will potentially contribute to the overall proficiency rate for the school," he said. The district said retests can affect school accountability measures (proficiency and growth) even when they do not replace an individual student's course grade.

Nelson said students with the most significant disabilities who participate in the extended-content NC Extend 1 assessment will not be asked to take that assessment again in summer. Board members asked for participation-rate context; Nelson said participation historically is under 50 percent of invited families and varies by grade and subject.

Board members asked whether the board should place the plan on a consent agenda for a future meeting. Nelson said the district must file a signed copy of the plan with the state by April 4 and suggested adding the item to the board's March 10 consent agenda for formal board approval.

Next steps: staff will prepare the signed plan for board approval and file it with DPI by April 4; staff will provide participation-rate context and details about testing windows and incentives for students as requested by board members.