RIDE Report Card - Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Achievement (an accountability metric)

The achievement metric for accountability is based on performance (how well students do on assessment tests) and participation on assessment tests.

Accountability

States are required to evaluate and publicly report on school performance. Rhode Island’s accountability system uses a Star Rating for every public school. These star ratings include a broad set of measures. Learn more about Rhode Island’s school accountability measures and how they’re calculated with these short videos.

Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR)

States use ACGR to determine the percent of students that graduate from high school in four years. To learn how to calculate this rate here

Building Administrator

This is any person who is responsible for managing a school with grades from preschool through grade 12. This may include principals, assistant principals, and charter school chief administrators.

Charter School

Rhode Island's charter schools are independent public schools approved by the State of Rhode Island. Each charter school is able to establish educational strategies that meet the specific student goals and objectives outlined in each school's charter.

Chronic Absenteeism (student and teacher)

This is defined as missing 10% of the school year. For students, this amounts to 18 days.

Cohort

On this site, the term “cohort” means the following a stable group of students over time. For example, a ninth grade graduation cohort would consist of students who entered a specific school in 9th grade and graduated from that school 4 years later.

Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)

Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) is an alternate assessment. These alternate tests are given to students with significant physical and cognitive disabilities. The tests are designed in a way that allows these students to participate in the test as independently as possible.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaced the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2015. ESSA is the nation’s general education law. Its purpose is “to ensure that every child succeeds.”

Inexperienced Building Administrator

Any school administrator who has 0 to 3 years of experience as a building administrator in a public school.

Inexperienced Teacher

Any teacher who has 0 to 3 years of experience with teaching in a public school.

Local Education agency (LEA)

An LEA or Local Education agency (also known as District) is legally permitted to manage Pk through grade 12 public schools. There are 61 public Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in Rhode Island. These include: 32 regular school districts, 4 regional school districts, 4 state-operated schools, 1 regional collaborative LEA, and 20 charter schools.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is often called “the gold standard” of educational testing in the United States. The NAEP exams for math and reading happen every two years and are given to students in grades 4, 8, and 12. Less often, the NAEP tests other academic subjects, including science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, and U.S. history. NAEP exams in foreign language and world history are under development. Not every child is tested; the NAEP samples the population, meaning that it tests enough students in each state to create reliable statistics. The exams are basically the same from year to year, providing a clear picture of students' progress over time. The NAEP is the only standardized assessment given in every state, allowing the public to compare states accurately. With the exception of some special reports (on large urban districts, for example), NAEP results are only available at the state level, not to districts, schools, or individuals.

Out-Of-Field Teacher

Any teacher who does not hold the appropriate Initial, Professional, or Advanced certificate for his or her assignment.

Postsecondary Enrollment

Postsecondary enrollment consists of all students who graduated from high school in a given school year and who enroll in postsecondary education in the academic year after the students’ graduation.

Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS)

The Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) is a high-quality assessment that meets federal requirements for annual assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics for students in grades 3-8.

Scholastic Aptitude Test

The College Board creates and administers the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), a college admission test that is not part of Rhode Island's assessment program. Students pay to take the test, which covers reading, writing and math. Most colleges require SAT scores as part of their application processes. The College Board is a non-profit association of schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations.

Teacher Using an Emergency or Preliminary Certificate

Any teacher using a certificate that allows them to teach in their assignment while pursuing the remaining requirements for full RI certification.

Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA)

The Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA) is a method of accounting that provides transparency, uniformity, accountability, and comparability of financial information for all schools and districts.