6146.21

Instruction

Statewide Proficiency/Mastery Examinations

Release of Student CMT Writing Sample

The Board recognizes that mandated statewide assessments are one indicator of the success and quality of the District s educational program. Further, individual test data, in combination with other criteria, can provide an indication of individual student achievement.

To assist in the improvement of the District s writing program, the District is the electronic recipient of the CMT Direct Assessment of Writing Test student responses. Individual student responses can be viewed and printed as needed from the CD in compliance with parental and student rights established under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The Board recognizes that these test documents are to be considered education records and are subject to the parental/student rights and privacy requirements established under FERPA and contained in the Board policy pertaining to student records.

The release of these test papers also fulfills an informational purpose. In keeping with the recommendation of the Connecticut State Department of Education, the District will not provide for a general release of these writing samples to all parents. The District, however, will provide a copy of an individual student s writing sample response to the student s parents/guardians after such parents/guardians has either contacted the State Department of Education or the District directly requesting such a release.

A copy of the individual s student s writing sample and an explanation of the scoring process and the reasons why the student s paper received the score affixed to it will be made by trained District personnel in the scoring process utilized for the CMT writing sample. Such trained personnel, when deemed necessary, may request a review of the sample and possible rescoring in situations where it is determined to be potentially mis-scored. The review shall follow the procedures and timelines established by the State Department of Education. All review requests must be based  on an exception basis,  take place within thirty calendar days of receipt of the writing sample in the District and have the written approval of the Superintendent.

(cf. 5125 - Student Records; Confidentiality)

Legal Reference:  Connecticut General Statutes

10-14n Statewide mastery examination. Conditions for reexamination. Limitation on use of test results. (as amended by PA 03-174 and PA 03-168)

10-14q Exceptions (as amended by PA 01-205)

PL 107-110   Title I, 34 CFR Part 200

1-19(b)(11) Access to public records. Exempt records.

7-109 Destruction of documents.

10-15b Access of parent or guardians to student's records.

10-154a Professional communications between teacher or nurse & student.

10-209 Records not to be public..

46b-56 (e) Access to Records of Minors.

Connecticut Public Records Administration Schedule V - Disposition of Education Records (Revised 1983).

Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act, as amended, added by section 513 of P.L. 93-568, codified at 20 U.S.C.1232g.).

Dept. of Education 34 C.F.R. Part 99 (May 9, 1980 45 FR 30802) regs. implementing FERPA enacted as part of 438 of General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) parent and student privacy and other rights with respect to educational records, as amended 11/21/96.

Policy adopted:  June 3, 2008