Algebra Readiness Initiative

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Algebra Readiness Initiative

• Virginia Department of Education

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Algebra Readiness Initiative

• Reference SUPTS. MEMO NO. 96 dated June 15, 2001
• The Standards of Learning Algebra Readiness
  Initiative was approved by the 2000 General
  Assembly

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Purpose

• To provide mathematics intervention services
• To students in grades 6, 7, 8, and 9 who are
  at-risk of failing the Algebra I end-of-course
  test
• As demonstrated by their individual performance
  on diagnostic tests that have been approved by
  the Department of Education

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Targeted Students

• Students in grades 6-9
• Unsuccessful in previous intervention/remediation
  program
• Below average performance in previous years
  mathematics program
• Did not pass the Standards of Learning
  mathematics assessment test

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Targeted Students

• Students targeted to participate in the
  intervention program will include those who did
  not pass the appropriate diagnostic test.

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Diagnostic Tests

• The Department of Education shall make a
  state-provided diagnostic test available to
  school divisions
• The state-provided diagnostic test is an online
  CAT
• ARDT Web site http//www.testsys.com

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Or

• Use locally developed or selected diagnostic
  tests that align with the criteria for diagnosis
  of mathematics deficiencies
• Approved by the Department of Education
• Approval form located at http//www.
  doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Forms/ under
  Instruction/Algebra Readiness Initiative

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The Intervention Program

• School divisions must certify to the Department
  of Education that
• an intervention program will be offered to
  targeted students, and
• each student who receives intervention will be
  pre- and post-tested.

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The Intervention Program

• The focus of the intervention is additional
  instructional time each week for the students
  participating in the program.
• The model for the additional instruction will be
  determined by the school division.

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Funding

• Participating school divisions are eligible for
  incentive payments to provide mathematics
  intervention services to students in the targeted
  grades.
• Incentive payments are distributed in November
  and March to the participating school divisions.

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Funding

• The incentive payments will be based on the
  states share of the cost of providing 2 1/2
  hours of additional instruction each week at a
  ten to one student-to-teacher ratio.
• School divisions receiving the incentive payments
  are required to match these funds based upon the
  composite index of local ability-to-pay.

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Annual Report

• School divisions shall report the results of the
  diagnostic tests for each student who receives
  intervention services to the Department of
  Education on an annual basis.

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ARDT Provider

• Internet Testing Systems (ITS)-http//www.testsys.
  com
• ARDT http//VARDT.starttest.com

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Contact Information

• Department of Education
• Lois A. Williams, Ed. D.
• Mathematics Specialist
• 804-786-8078
• Lois.williams_at_doe.virginia.gov
• Internet Testing Systems (ITS)
• 1-866-697-3026
• VARDTsupport_at_testsys.com