Explanation of Terms.databkxls - Jefferson County Public Schools

CATS DEFINITIONS
% Retention
The percentage of students in grades 4 - 12 who were in the same grade in the fall that they had been in the previous spring.
% Retention is included in the noncognitive component of the CATS Accountability Index of elementary, middle, and high schools.
% Dropouts
The percentage of students in grades 7 – 12 who enrolled in a school during a school year who did not graduate and who were not enrolled in a school the
following fall.
% Dropouts is included in the noncognitive component of the CATS Accountability Index of middle and high schools.
Transition to Adult Life
Information about what each high school graduate is doing in the fall after graduation is collected. Students who are working or continuing their
education are considered to be successful.
The percentage of students who are successful is included in the noncognitive component of the CATS Accountability Index of high schools.
% Distinguished, % Proficient, % Apprentice, % Novice
The percent of students scores in each performance category.
1999-2000 Indexes
This column refers to the mathematical score derived from the percentages of students who were in each of the categories of novice, apprentice, proficient, and
distinguished. When 100% of the students score proficient, the index = 100. The CATS system does differentiate between low, medium and high novice, and
apprentice. For this report, all novice and all apprentice have been grouped under one category.
CATS Accountability Cycles Data
Baseline – each school receives a beginning score for accountability. This score is based on the 1996-97 and 1997-98 KIRIS test scores.
Predicted Goal – The Kentucky Department of Education computed a predicted goal using a statistical regression model. A regression model was used because
KIRIS and CATS scores are not comparable. This number is the projected goal for a school.
Acct Index 1998-99 and 1999-00– these numbers represent the actual test scores for each year achieved by the school on the new CATS tests.
Combined Growth Index – this score is the two year average of the 1998-99 and 1999-00 Accountability Index scores listed above. This number is compared to
the predicted goal to show a school’s final standing. The 20 year goal would be to have all schools scoring at the score of 100 indicating all students are
proficient.
Classification – Schools are classified into the following definitions:
Reward: the Combined Growth Index meets or exceeds the Predicted Goal
Maintaining: The Combined Growth Index does not meet the goal, but falls within an acceptable range.
Assistance: The Combined Growth Index does not meet the goal and falls under an acceptable range.
CATS – Page 2