Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, October 6, 2009
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Recommendation to Change the Exam Weight Formula From 33 Percent to 25 Percent (Secondary Education)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A committee was established to review current practices and procedures involving high school exams in April 2008. The committee included representatives from the Citizens Advisory Committee, teachers, students, parents, school-based administrators, and district-based administrators. The committee reconvened in September 2009 to readdress their recommendations and further discuss the exam weighting and other issues surrounding exams.

The recommendation from the committee was to change the current exam weight formula from 33 percent to 25 percent, placing more emphasis on the student's daily work, classroom grades, and activities for each semester. In addition to providing our teachers and district staff with an accurate measure of student progress and subject area mastery, our current exams will assist in preparing our students for the upcoming changes to the FCAT graduation requirements which will include end of course exams. Research shows end of course exams increase student achievement and academic standards.

Seniors in their final semester will still be permitted to exempt their exams and must meet the following requirements:

  • have earned three quality points during the two grading periods of the first or the second semester in that subject; and
  • have earned at least one quality point during the second grading period (the senior need not pass both grading periods, but must pass the second grading period) of the first or the second semester in that subject; and
  • have a satisfactory conduct record.

Executive summary is continued on the attachment.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

This agenda item has no financial impact on the district.

EVALUATION

SUBMITTED BY:

Denny B. Oest
General Director, Secondary Education
(813) 272-4451
Wynne A. Tye
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
A 1.02
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20091006_362 * Section A Item# 1.02