ADE Commissioner Jacob Oliva
Jacob Oliva
Secretary | Read Bio 
Department of Education

Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Waiver for Early Mathematics & Science Assessment Options Public Comment

Memo Information

Memo Number
COM-24-049
Memo Date
11/1/2023
Memo Type
Informational
Unit
Public School Accountability
Regulatory Authority
ESEA Section 1111 (b)(2)(C)
Response Required
NO
Attention
Assistant Principal; Assistant Superintendent; Communications Manager / Director; CTE Coordinator (COOPs and regular school districts); Curriculum Coordinators; Data Stewards (SIS; eSchool; eFinance; TRIAND); Equity Coordinators (Disability/Race/Gender/National Origin); Gifted & Talented Coordinators; Parent Involvement Coordinators/Facilitators; Principals; School Counselors; Superintendents; Teachers; Test Coordinators

Primary Contact Information

Secondary Contact/s Information

Memo Text

In Arkansas, students who are adequately prepared currently have options to accelerate in math and/or science coursework as appropriate. In Spring 2024, Arkansas will transition from end-of-grade to an end-of-course assessment when the Arkansas Teaching and Learning Assessment System (ATLAS) launches. To meet assessment participation requirements as set forth by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) students who accelerate would have to double test in the lower grades. To avoid this burden on students and schools, Arkansas is requesting a waiver from the statutory requirement detailed in ESEA Section 1111(b)(2)(C). Specifically, DESE seeks to extend the exception made in 1111(b)(2)(C) in order to accelerate advanced mathematics and science in middle school for students in grade 8 to also include students in grade 7 for 4 years from SY 2023-24 to SY 2026-27.

If granted the requested waiver, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) assures that schools will fulfill participation requirements by ensuring that:

  • If a student is taking a course earlier than what is considered “grade level” for Arkansas, then the student would take the end-of-course test appropriate for the course the student is enrolled in for Federal accountability purposes. This flexibility avoids double testing in the lower grade for math or science. (e.g. If a seventh grade student is taking Algebra I they will take the Algebra I EOC rather than the 7th grade math test).
  • When the student reaches the “grade level” for the course in high school, the student may be required to take a more advanced high school mathematics or science assessment for use in accountability. (ESEA section 1111(b)(2)(C)).
  • DESE will ensure that all Arkansas students will test at least once for grades 9-12 in mathematics and at least once in grades 10-12 for science.

 

Prior to submitting this waiver request, the DESE is providing notice to the public and local educational agencies and a reasonable opportunity to comment on this request.  Interested persons may comment on the application of this waiver here:

https://forms.gle/6jAf2u6tmX4gSyUL9

Comments will be accepted through Nov 15.

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