Frequently Asked Questions
What is ACTAAP? Top
The Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) is a comprehensive system encompassing high academic standards, professional development, student assessment, and accountability for schools. The focus of ACTAAP is to improve student learning and classroom instruction; provide accountability by establishing expected achievement levels and reporting on student achievement; provide program evaluation data; and assist policymakers in the decision-making process.
Is there a state law requiring that the Department develop and implement ACTAAP? Top
Yes. The law is Act 999 of 1999, also known as the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program Act. The law states that the purpose of the legislation "is to provide the statutory framework necessary to ensure that all students in the public schools of this state demonstrate grade-level academic proficiency through the application of knowledge and skills in the core academic subjects consistent with state curriculum frameworks, performance standards, and assessments."
In ACTAAP's accountability component, when will the rewards and sanctions be determined? Top
Once the accountability component of ACTAAP becomes fully operational by the 2003-2004 school year, schools demonstrating high performance toward meeting the performance goals and those showing marked progress will be eligible for cash awards. The awards will be designated for school-based improvements and expansion of local programs. Schools that fail to make expected gains toward meeting performance goals will be identified for state assistance in planning, organization, and school improvement. Continued failure to meet expected growth will result in the school being designated as academically distressed.
How was the three-tiered system for accountability determined? Top
Arkansas Department of Education staff, members of the State Board, the Governor, and members of the state legislature all support a strong system of educational accountability. As ACTAAP was being designed, there was general belief that schools should be provided some flexibility in determining some components of the accountability system. To accommodate that flexibility, the three-tiered system was suggested. Tier I identifies those indicators that all schools must address and will be reported to the public. These indicators include student performance indicators, as well as a limited number of other indicators that research links to successful student performance. Tier II allows schools the option to identify indicators that align with their school improvement plan, but may be unique to that school. Tier III simply requires each school to report progress to the public on an annual basis, which is required by statute.
Doesn't ACTAAP put too many demands on schools that are already overloaded? Top
ACTAAP does NOT place increased demands on the state’s public school districts. Due to its design and focus, ACTAAP provides schools with a comprehensive approach in ensuring that all students are performing on grade level. ACTAAP communicates to schools what students should know and be able to do and identifies a metric on which student performance on those standards is to be measured. On the issue of annually reporting school performance, schools are not being required to collect new kinds of information. The information schools report is information that has been required for a number of years and is reported to the state from the district.
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