General Questions
What are AMOs?
AMOs are targets for achievement results (the percent of student proficient or advanced), as required by the USDE through the waiver process.
How were the AMOs set?
The AMOs build upon the cut‐points in the school and district
performance frameworks and create annual AMOs for proficiency. The 2011‐12 AMOs will be the
current requirements for earning a meets rating in the academic achievement section of the one‐year School Performance Frameworks. The meets cut‐point is set at the proficiency rate (percent of students proficient or above) of the 50th percentile of schools in 2010. These cut‐points are set separately for reading, math, writing and science, and at the elementary, middle and high school level. The goal will be for all schools to earn an exceeds rating, by meeting the cut‐point for exceeds. The exceeds cut‐points are set at the proficiency rate (percent of students proficient or above) of the 90th percentile of schools in 2010.
In order to reach this goal, interim targets have been set annually from 2011‐12 until 2015‐16, with equal incremental increases for each year.
See page 76 of Colorado’s waiver application for more details and the actual AMOs by year.
How were the new AMOs calculated?
The AMO targets are now based on the state’s school and district performance frameworks rather than AYP calculations. The AMOs for 2011-2012 are the current requirements for earning a meets rating on the academic achievement indicator of the 1-year school performance framework. The meets cut-point is set at the proficiency rate (percent of students proficient or above) of the 50th percentile of schools in 2010. These cut-points are set separately for reading, math, writing and science, and at the elementary, middle and high school level. The AMO goal is for all schools to earn an exceeds rating on the academic achievement indicator of the 1-year school performance framework by meeting the cut-point for exceeds. The exceeds cut-points are set at the proficiency rate (percent of students proficient or above) of the 90th percentile of schools in 2010. In order to reach this goal, interim targets have been set annually from 2011-12 until 2015-16, with equal incremental increases for each year.
The AMOs are based on the results of the 2009-2010 academic year, which was also the baseline year for the academic achievement cut scores on the state performance frameworks.
Are AMOs for achievement considered targets or minimum expectations?
The AMOs for achievement could be described as ambitious, yet attainable targets.
What accountability is associated with the new AMOs?
The AMOs are primarily aspirational targets now that AYP is no longer calculated. The only specific use is that they will be used to identify Title IA schools for support that may not already have SPF ratings of Priority Improvement or Turnaround. The AMOs for achievement could be described as ambitious yet attainable targets rather than minimum expectations. Unlike AYP, there are no specific consequences associated with meeting or not meeting the AMOs. The results will be reported, but districts and schools are accountable for the results on the district and school performance framework reports (an accreditation category or plan type of Performance, Improvement, Priority Improvement and Turnaround Plan), not just the AMOs.
Are the AMOs based on the 2009-2010 data or 2010-2011? The waiver says 2010.
AMOs are based on the 2009-2010 academic year, which was also the baseline year for the academic achievement cut scores on the state performance frameworks.
What is a "focus school?"
To get USDE approval of its waiver request, CDE had to identify 10% of its Title I schools as "focus" schools. Colorado's "focus" school list will be run once the 2011-12 assessment and accountability data are available. Focus schools are Title IA schools that receive a Turnaround or Priority Improvement plan type assignment, and whose disaggregated student groups are furthest from the meets cut-point in academic achievement. Districts will be notified in August, 2012 of any focus schools within their district.
What are the implications of being a focus school?
Focus schools will be assigned a performance manager who will assist with the development of the UIP, monitor the implementation of the UIP, and prioritize the schools for additional support.
What is a "priority school?"
A priority school is a school that is implementing a Tiered Intervention Grant (TIG). The TIG is a competitive grant (funded from 1003g of ESEA) for schools identified as 5% of lowest performing Title I or Title I eligible schools to implement one of four reform models as defined by the USDE.
What are the implications of being a priority school?
Priority schools implement either a turnaround, transformation, re-start or closure model, as defined in the U.S. Department of Education guidance for this grant. More information can be found here.