The definitions in this section apply to this chapter.
"Growth" compares the difference in a student's achievement score at two or more distinct points in time.
"Value added" is the amount of achievement a student demonstrates above an established baseline. The difference between the student's score and the baseline defines value added.
"Value-added growth" is based on a student's growth score. In a value-added growth system, the student's first test is the baseline, and the difference between the student's first and next test scores within a defined period is the measure of value added. Value-added growth models use student-level data to measure what portion of a student's growth can be explained by inputs related to the educational environment.
A school or district makes "adequate yearly progress" if, for every student subgroup under the federal 2001 No Child Left Behind Act in the school or district, its proficiency index or other approved adjustments for performance, based on statewide assessment scores, meets or exceeds federal expectations. To make adequate yearly progress, the school or district also must satisfy applicable federal requirements related to student attendance, graduation, and test participation rates.
(a) "State growth target" is the average year-two assessment scores for students with similar year-one assessment scores.
(b) The state growth targets for each grade and subject are benchmarked as follows until the assessment scale changes:
(1) beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, the state growth target for grades 3 through 8 is benchmarked to 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school year data;
(2) beginning in the 2008-2009 school year the state growth target for grade 10 is benchmarked to 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school year data;
(3) for the 2008-2009 school year, the state growth target for grade 11 is benchmarked to 2005-2006 school year data; and
(4) beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, the state growth target for grade 11 is benchmarked to 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school year data.
(c) Each time before the assessment scale changes, a stakeholder group that includes assessment and evaluation directors and staff and researchers must recommend a new state growth target that the commissioner must consider when revising standards under section 120B.023, subdivision 2.
"Low growth" is an assessment score one-half standard deviation below the state growth target.
"Medium growth" is an assessment score within one-half standard deviation above or below the state growth target.
"High growth" is an assessment score one-half standard deviation or more above the state growth target.
"Proficiency" for purposes of reporting growth on school performance report cards under section 120B.36, subdivision 1, means those students who, in the previous school year, scored at or above "meets standards" on the statewide assessments under section 120B.30. Each year, school performance report cards must separately display: (1) the numbers and percentages of students who achieved low growth, medium growth, and high growth and achieved proficiency in the previous school year; and (2) the numbers and percentages of students who achieved low growth, medium growth, and high growth and did not achieve proficiency in the previous school year.
The categories of low growth, medium growth, and high growth shall be used to indicate both (1) growth and (2) progress toward grade-level proficiency that is consistent with subdivision 10.