STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS

North Carolina public school students are required to meet statewide standards for promotion from grades 3, 5 and 8 and high school graduation. The standards, also called gateways, will ensure that students are working at grade level in reading, writing and mathematics before being promoted to the next grade. The new high school exit standards will be in place for students entering ninth grade for the first time in 2006-2007.

Policy & Implementation

• What are the gateways?
• Why are these gateways important?
• What is the timeline for implementing the standards?
• Do local policies differ from the state's?

Parents & The Standards

• What are parents' rights and responsibilities?
• What happens after a student takes the end-of-grade test?
• Who makes the promotion decision?
• What can I do at home to help ensure my child is at Level III proficiency?

Elementary & Middle School Gateways

• How will the standards affect 3rd, 5th and 8th grade students?
• What role do the statewide writing assessments play in the Gateways?
• What tests do elementary and middle school students take and when?

High School Gateway & Exit Standards

• When will high school students take the exit exam and what will it test?
• What are the state requirements for graduation?
• What is the computer skills test?

Intervention Strategies (Under Development)

• What is intervention and how is it different from remediation?
• How are local school systems providing intervention for their students?
• Are there any model programs to
  examine?

Personalized Education Plans

• What happens to students who don't meet the standards?
• What does a PEP look like?
• What are the steps involved in developing a PEP?

Exceptional Children & Limited English Proficiency Students

• Do all exceptional children have to take all state tests?
• Do exceptional students have to reach grade level?
• How do the standards affect limited English proficiency students?

Communication Resources

• What resources, such as radio and television ads, are available to publicize the standards?
• How are local school systems communicating the standards?
• How are business/community members involved with the standards?