Board hears rationale for state Option B accountability approach for alternative schools

District staff presented the alternative‑schools accountability item, explaining state and federal constraints and why the district returned to the state’s Option B framework.

Dr. Walker opened the item and Julie Malik, senior director of school accountability, summarized the 80/20 formula used for most schools and the state’s alternative options. Malik said Option B was selected because it includes a persistence metric (20%) and emphasizes growth (roughly 60% EVOS growth) as a more meaningful reflection of alternative programs serving students who often enter below grade level. She stressed the district sought a model that reflects year‑to‑year growth rather than relying solely on proficiency thresholds.

Malik and other staff explained that federal ESSA reporting still requires A–F performance reporting. For alternative programs that lack sufficient sample sizes, the district may return program data to a base school for federal reporting or combine three years of data to generate an A–F grade. Staff noted Wake County historically returned Long View program data to its base school and that some programs may continue to follow that path when data are sparse.

Board members asked whether EVOS growth reliably captures progress for students who entered programs with low prior test scores and whether successes for students who return to base schools are credited to alternative programs. Staff said EVOS measures relative growth compared to peers and that persistence/return‑to‑base outcomes are included in the persistence metric; they committed to provide more granular longitudinal data and CTE credentialing outcomes to better demonstrate post‑program transitions.

The board agreed the item will be an action item at a subsequent meeting after a two‑week window for community feedback, giving trustees time to review additional data requested from staff.