U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, recently announced the expansion of the growth model pilot to all eligible states for the 2007-2008 school year. According to Secretary Spellings, "to ensure greater flexibility in tracking individual students' annual progress, growth models provide states with more options for a nuanced accountability system, while adhering to the core principles of No Child Left Behind." The growth model pilot was established by Secretary Spellings in November 2005 and was included in the President's NCLB reauthorization blueprint earlier this year. Nine states currently have approved growth model proposals: North Carolina, Tennessee, Delaware, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, Alaska and Arizona.
The deadline for submission of proposals to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is February 1, 2008. A rigorous peer review process similar to that used for the past two years will be used. ED will conduct an initial review of each proposal to ensure that the growth model meets the established seven core principles and that the state is making progress in the required areas. Proposals that meet the requirements will be sent to a group of peer reviewers who will meet during the week of April 14-18, 2008. States that meet the qualifications to participate in the growth model pilot will be notified in May.
For more information on the growth model pilot, please visit ED's Web site at or contact Catherine D. Clarke, ASHA's Director of Education and Regulatory Advocacy, via e-mail at cclarke@asha.org or by phone at 800-274-2376, ext. 5611.
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