georgia deaf education achievement forum improving student achievement: literacy and conceptual...

Georgia Deaf Education Achievement Forum

Improving Student Achievement: Literacy and Conceptual Accuracy

Georgia Deaf Georgia Deaf Education Education

Achievement PlanAchievement Plan

•Mission•Goals•Current Situation•Strategies to Achieve Goals•Actions

Mission of the Georgia Mission of the Georgia Department of EducationDepartment of Education

Lead the nation in improving student

achievement

Georgia Deaf Education Georgia Deaf Education Achievement Plan: Achievement Plan:

GoalsGoals

• Improve the literacy levels of students who are deaf and hard of hearing to those of their grade-level peers.

Goals - continuedGoals - continued• Increase the number of qualified

Educational Interpreters and Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing serving students within Georgia’s schools.

• Ensure that students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive, communication-rich environment.

Georgia Deaf EducationGeorgia Deaf Education• Total P-12 enrollment (’03-’04)

= 1,513,521• D/HH enrollment = 1,754

(GA = 0.12%) (US = 0.14%)– State Schools = 250 (approx.)– Metro-Atlanta = 500– Outside Metro-Atlanta = 1,000

Service ProvidersService Providers• Teachers of the D/HH = 250

– Fully Certified D/HH = 235

• Educational Interpreters = ???• Interpreters with required

credentials (regardless of employer) = 125– Of these, within Metro-Atlanta= 95– Of these, outside Metro-Atlanta= 30

Data CollectionData Collection

•A goal that cannot be measured is only a slogan.

Alan Coulter

GHSGT: D/HH First-time Test Takers

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

English: Mathematics: Science: Social Studies:

2001 (n=43)

2002 (n=53)

2003 (n=39)

GA

Writing Test: D/HH First-time Test Takers

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

2001 2002 2003 GA

N Count

Pass Rate

CRCT 8: D/HH Meets or Exceeds Standard

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Reading English/LA Mathematics

2001 (n=100)

2002 (n=115)

2003 (n=92)

GA

CRCT 6: D/HH Meets or Exceeds Standard

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Reading English/LA Mathematics

2001 (n=88)

2002 (n=104)

2003 (n=70)

GA

CRCT 4: D/HH Meets or Exceeds Standard

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Reading English/LA Mathematics

2001 (n=64)

2002 (n=123)

2003 (n=108)

GA

Least Restrictive EnvironmentLeast Restrictive Environment

• Common Assumption: “The Least Restrictive

Environment for all students is in the Regular Education classroom with non-disabled peers.”

LRE: DefinitionLRE: Definition

To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are nondisabled (IDEA, 1997)

Strategies to Achieve GoalsStrategies to Achieve Goals

• Literacy– Scientifically-Based Reading Research– Reading First

• D/HH Struggling Reader Institutes

– Georgia’s Choice• Comprehensive School Improvement Model• Literacy, Mathematics, Leadership

– Professional Learning Communities

Strategies to Achieve GoalsStrategies to Achieve Goals

• Qualified Personnel– Educational Interpreters

• Focused, long-term support structure• Mentor Program• Professional Learning Communities

Strategies to Achieve GoalsStrategies to Achieve Goals• Qualified Personnel

– Teachers• Improving Literacy• Communication Skills• Technology• Professional Learning Communities

Least Restrictive EnvironmentLeast Restrictive Environment

• Georgia’s Performance Goals• Federal Requirements• Assumptions• Unique Communication Needs• Court Decisions• Language• Challenges

Georgia Deaf Education Georgia Deaf Education Achievement Plan:Achievement Plan:

ActionsActions

• Focus actions on improving literacy

• Professional Learning Communities• Ongoing Data Collection• Communication• Technology

Mission of the Georgia Mission of the Georgia Department of EducationDepartment of Education

Lead the nation in improving student

achievement

Georgia Deaf Education Achievement Forum

Improving Student Achievement: Literacy and Conceptual Accuracy