Community Conversation AMARILLO - Next Generation Assessments and Accountability for Texas Public Schools

Donna Bahorich (chair) and Marty Rowley - State Board of Education

<P><SPAN>You are invited to participate in a Community Conversation (CC) discussing our Next Generation Assessments and Accountability for Texas Public Schools from 6:00-8:00 pm on March 24th. We wish to include a variety of parents, educators and business leaders. <STRONG>Though you may wear many "hats" as a parent, educator and business leader, we are asking you to choose to wear one hat for the activities at our meeting. You will choose either the  EDUCATOR, PARENT/COMMUNITY MEMBER, or BUSINESS LEADER caucus group at registration. Results will be gathered by caucus group.</STRONG></SPAN></P>
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<P><STRONG>We have limited seating for each ticket type. With a total capacity of 250 on a first come first serve basis. </STRONG><STRONG>An RSVP is required to participate.</STRONG></P>
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<H2><EM><STRONG>The Purpose</STRONG></EM></H2>
<P>The 2015 legislature established the creation of an appointed Next Generation Commission on Assessments and Accountability composed of 15 members to submit a report of recommendations for the 2017 legislative session. As part of the State Board of Education's contribution on the Commission, the chair, fellow Board members and a variety of community leaders are hosting a series of face to face and online “Community Conversations” in order to engage greater participation surrounding these important topics. </P>
<H2><EM><STRONG>Commission Task</STRONG></EM></H2>
<P>The Commission will develop recommendations to address the purpose of a state accountability system and the role of student assessment; opportunities to assess students that provide actionable information, support learning activities, recognize the application of skills and knowledge, measure growth and mastery, and critical thinking. Commission recommendations will also address alignment of state performance standards with college and career readiness; policy changes to enable student progress; policy changes necessary to meet state goals, as well as policy changes that are community based, promote parent and community involvement, and reflect unique community needs.</P>
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<H2><EM><STRONG>Agenda Details</STRONG></EM></H2>
<P><STRONG>In order to prepare for the evening's conversation, it is very important to take the time to preview the videos and familiarize yourself with the documents below.</STRONG> This will be an important informational, tone-setting component focused on background and considerations to be of use during our group breakout sessions that will occupy the first part of the agenda for the evening. The group breakout sessions as well as the entire group discussion to follow the breakouts will focus on problem solving. By the end of our time together, we hope to bring together helpful information and a variety of perspectives to pass on to the Commission.</P>
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<H2><STRONG>Documents and Videos in Preparation for our Community Conversation (videos are about 15 mins each).</STRONG></H2>
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<H3>NOTE: The videos were taped at our Houston Community Conversation in order to alleviate having to locate experts for each Community Conversation location as well as to add convenience for participants. The videos are also translated into Spanish.:</H3>
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<H3><A HREF="http://tea.texas.gov/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=25769824490&libID=25769824588" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="Historical Timeline and Overview-Texas Assessments" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><STRONG><STRONG>DOCUMENT: Assessments - Historical Overview and Timeline</STRONG></STRONG></A></H3>
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<H3><A HREF="http://tea.texas.gov/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=25769824478&libID=25769824576" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="Currently Required Assessments" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><STRONG><STRONG>DOCUMENT: Assessments - Currently Required</STRONG></STRONG></A></H3>
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<H3><A HREF="http://tea.texas.gov/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=25769824433&libID=25769824531" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="Accountability Currently" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><STRONG><STRONG>DOCUMENT: Accountability Currently</STRONG></STRONG></A></H3>
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<H3><A HREF="http://tea.texas.gov/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=25769824177&libID=25769824275" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="Accountability 2018 and Beyond" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><STRONG><STRONG>DOCUMENT: Accountability 2018 and Beyond</STRONG></STRONG></A></H3>
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<H3><A HREF="http://tea.texas.gov/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=25769824169&libID=25769824267" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="Accountability System Goals and Guiding Principles – 2016 and Beyond" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><STRONG><STRONG>DOCUMENT: Accountability System Goals and Guiding Principles – 2016 and Beyond</STRONG></STRONG></A></H3>
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<H3><STRONG>Video: <A HREF="http://edutube.hccs.edu/media/HD+Chambers/0_cd7nvgco/37816672" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="HD Chambers, Superintendent of Alief ISD, discusses accountability and the role it plays in schools" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">HD Chambers - Superintendent Alief ISD – discussing history and present on accountability</A></STRONG></H3>
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<H3><STRONG>Video</STRONG>: <A HREF="http://edutube.hccs.edu/media/Carol+Atwood/0_4ej1p1mx/37816672" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="Carol Atwood, Assistant Superintendent Humble ISD, provides some context on the past, present and future of Assessment and Accountability" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><STRONG>Carol Atwood, </STRONG><STRONG>Assistant Superintendent Humble ISD - provides some context on the past, present and future of assessment and accountability</STRONG></A><STRONG><A HREF="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZPTYx0VouA" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="Carol Atwood, Assistant Superintendent Humble ISD, provides some context on the past, present and future of Assessment and Accountability" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><BR></A></STRONG></H3>
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<H3><STRONG>Video: <A HREF="http://edutube.hccs.edu/media/Allison+Matney/0_ai647i3c/37816672" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="Dr. Allison Matney, the Executive Director of Research, Assessment and Accountability at Katy ISD discusses Assessment in Schools" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr. Allison Matney - Executive Director of Research, Assessment, and Accountability Department of Research, Assessment, and Accountability - Katy ISD - focusing on the current state of assessments</A></STRONG></H3>
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<H2><SPAN><STRONG>Additional Information: </STRONG></SPAN></H2>
<H2><A HREF="http://tea.texas.gov/2804CommissionSupport.aspx" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><STRONG>Resources Page for Texas Commission on Next Generation Assessments and Accountability</STRONG></A></H2>
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<H2><STRONG>Community Conversation Task</STRONG></H2>
<P>The goal of the community conversation on assessments and accountability is to engage educators, parents, and business leaders in identifying specific goals we'd like to see for assessments and accountability and ways to get there.</P>
<P><SPAN><STRONG>In doing this, we’d like to answer the following questions for the Commission:</STRONG></SPAN></P>
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<H3><SPAN>Reflect upon the presentations you previewed. What are some key learnings or important take-a-ways that should shape our conversation?</SPAN></H3>
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<H3><SPAN>What is the role/purpose of assessment and accountability in the education of our children?</SPAN></H3>
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<H3><SPAN>What is working well with our current system of assessment and accountability?</SPAN></H3>
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<H3><SPAN></SPAN>What factors should the <I>Next Generation Commission on Assessments and Accountability</I> consider as they make their recommendations?</H3>
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<H3>What suggestions for improvement of our current system would you give to the Commission?</H3>
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<H3><SPAN><SPAN>What goals for (1) assessments and (2) accountability would you recommend to the Commission that would shape their work?</SPAN></SPAN></H3>
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<H2><STRONG>Final Thoughts</STRONG></H2>
<P><SPAN><SPAN>For those not attending this meeting, we will be providing a much larger community opportunity through online survey participation soon. We hope you will get the word out to your friends at that time, asking them to weigh-in on this conversation as well.</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P>Thank you for your consideration of our request to participate. We believe your voice will be invaluable as we go through this important process of identifying the goals and possibilities for the Next Generation of Assessments and Accountability in Texas! </P>
<P>Parking is free. Beverages will be provided.</P>