EXHIBIT EE EXHIBIT EE NEVADA CONNECTIONS ACADEMY ACADEMIC - - PDF document

EXHIBIT EE EXHIBIT EE

NEVADA CONNECTIONS ACADEMY ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

NCA: K-12 Virtual School in Nevada Serving More Than 3,000 Students

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

Statewide Assessments Overview

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

• As

As a a pub public s lic school, Ne hool, Nevada Connections Academ da Connections Academy s y students ar udents are r e required t ired to t take t the s e same s me stat ate e as assessments sessments as their traditional brick-and-mortar counterparts.

• Nevada Connections Academ

da Connections Academy’s per y’s performance

• rmance is

is com competitiv etitive w e with t th the s e stat ate a e average erage on the following assessments:

– High School End of Course (EOC) exams were given for the first time in 2015; administered in

both English Language Arts (ELA) I & II and Math I & II. EOC exams replaced High School Proficiency (HSPE) exams with the passage of SB 288 in 2013.

– Grade 10 Science Exam, required for federal school accountability, was administered through

2016; replaced in the 2016-2017 SY by an EOC exam in Science.

– Smarter Balanced Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math for Grades 3-8. – Science criterion-referenced tests (CRTs) in Grades 5 and 8.

HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE OF NCA’S HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS

Nevada Connections Academy

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

NCA Students’ Performance on the Grade 11 Reading HSPE & New EOC Exams

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

94 94 94 77 80 82 82 69 69 100 97 99 95 90 94 82 88 88

60 70 80 90 100 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 15-16 ELA I* 15-16 ELA II*

% Proficient

Grade 11 Reading HSPE & New EOC ELA Exams

State Nevada Connections Academy

Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com

NCA Students’ Performance on the Grade 11 Math HSPE & New EOC Exams

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

71 72 73 73 76 78 76 74 33 46 59 69 77 82 76 64 73 30

20 40 60 80 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 15-16 Math I* 15-16 Math II*

% Proficient

Grade 11 Math HSPE & New EOC Math Exams

State Nevada Connections Academy

Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com

77 79 71 74 76 78 79 43 70 75 83 89 84 83 73 51

30 40 50 60 70 80 90 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 15-16 Grade 10 Science Exam*

% Proficient

Science HSPE & New Grade 10 Science Exam

State Nevada Connections Academy

NCA Students’ Performance on the Science HSPE & New Grade 10 Science Exam

Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION

Nevada Connections Academy

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

NCA’s Demographic Profile, K-12

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

Students who Qualify for FRL, 43.1% Other Students, 56.9%

Special Population at NCA: Students who Qualify for Free or Reduced Price Lunch (FRL)

Students who Qualify for FRL Other Students

Hispanic, 21.2% White, 54.7% Black, 10.2% Other Ethnicities, 13.9%

Ethnicity

Hispanic White Black Other Ethnicities

Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

Hispanic, 24.6% White, 53.4% Black, 9.2% Other Ethnicities, 12.8%

NCA's High School

Hispanic White Black Other Ethnicities

20.3% 51.9% 10.5% 17.3%

NCA's Elementary School

Hispanic White Black Other Ethnicities

21.0% 52.1% 10.3% 16.6%

NCA's Middle School

Hispanic White Black Other Ethnicities

NCA’s Student Demographics

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

Students who Qualify for FRL, 43.7% Other Students, 56.3%

NCA's High School: FRL Eligible Population

Students who Qualify for FRL Other Students

41.5% 58.5%

NCA's Elementary School: FRL Eligible Population

Students who Qualify for FRL Other Students

47.6% 52.4%

NCA's Middle School: FRL Eligible Population

Students who Qualify for FRL Other Students

Special Population at NCA: Students who Qualify for Free or Reduced Price Lunch (FRL)

2015-2016 PERFORMANCE ON STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS

Nevada Connections Academy

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

End of Course ELA Exams, 2015-2016*

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

68.7 63.3 60.9 87.5 87.9 82.8 0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0

Total Hispanic FRL

% Proficient

ELA I Exam

State NCA

69.5 64.0 59.8 88.8 91.5 94.7 0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0

Total Hispanic FRL

% Proficient

ELA II Exam

State NCA

* Most recent assessment results available. Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com.

End of Course Math Exams, 2015-2016*

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

73.8 69.2 67.7 73.5 77.6 68.2 62.0 64.0 66.0 68.0 70.0 72.0 74.0 76.0 78.0 80.0

Total Hispanic FRL

% Proficient

Math I Exam

State NCA

33.0 24.0 23.6 30.3 23.3 21.3 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0

Total Hispanic FRL

% Proficient

Math II Exam

State NCA

* Most recent assessment results available. Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com.

Grade 10 Science Exam, 2015-2016*

42.6 31.4 31.4 50.9 42.3 47.2

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 Total Hispanic FRL

% Proficient State NCA

* Most recent assessment results available. Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com.

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 E.S. Total Students E.S. Hispanic Students E.S. FRL Students M.S. Total Students M.S. Hispanic Students M.S. FRL Students H.S. Total Students H.S. Hispanic Students H.S. FRL Students

% Proficient

English Language Ar English Language Arts ts

State NCA

Elementary School Middle School High School

**Divides schools into elementary, middle, and high school programs—consistent with NSPF. * Most recent assessment results available. Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com.

2015-2016* Performance on Statewide Assessments

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

10 20 30 40 50 60 E.S. Total Students E.S. Hispanic Students E.S. FRL Students M.S. Total Students M.S. Hispanic Students M.S. FRL Students H.S. Total Students H.S. Hispanic Students H.S. FRL Students

% Proficient

Math Mathemat ematics ics

State NCA

Elementary School Middle School High School

**Divides schools into elementary, middle, and high school programs—consistent with NSPF. * Most recent assessment results available. Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com.

2015-2016* Performance on Statewide Assessments

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 E.S. Total Students E.S. Hispanic Students E.S. FRL Students M.S. Total Students M.S. Hispanic Students M.S. FRL Students H.S. Total Students H.S. Hispanic Students H.S. FRL Students

% Proficient

Science Science

State NCA

Elementary School Middle School High School

* Most recent assessment results available. Data available at: http://www.nevadareportcard.com.

2015-2016* Performance on Statewide Assessments

NEVADA CONNECTIONS ACADEMY (NCA) 2016 GRADUATION RATE DISCUSSION

K-12 Virtual School in Nevada Serving More Than 3,000 Students

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

DEFINITION AND 2016 RATES

Federal 4-year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

Four-Year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate: Federal Definition (NCLB)

• Nevada State Law does not define “graduation rate.” Nevada State Law does define certain students who shall

not be counted as dropouts (i.e. students who complete a GED or are enrolled in Adult Ed).

• The federal 4-year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR), as defined under the federal “No Child Left Behind”

(NCLB) law, does not take into account a number of factors that impact a school’s graduation rate:

1.

• 1. GE

GED/A D/Adult Standar ult Standard Di Diplomas ( plomas (Adult E dult Ed): ): Students who complete a GED or are enrolled in Adult Ed courses are counted the same as dropouts—under the Nevada implementation of the federal ACGR, these students are currently counted as non-graduates.

2.

• 2. Ad

Adjust justed ed D Diplomas

• mas f

for S Students w ents with Disabilities: th Disabilities: Adjusted diplomas are awarded to students with disabilities who complete high school in context of an IEP—under the Nevada implementation of the federal ACGR, these students are currently counted as non-graduates.

3.

• 3. Post-Secondar
• Secondary I

Institution E itution Enrollment: llment: Students who transfer straight to post secondary programs without formally completing high school—under the federal ACGR, these students are currently counted as non- graduates.

4.

• 4. Student

Students Enr Enrolling in High lling in High Sc School C hool Credit Def edit Deficient: cient: Students who, in many cases, enroll in their junior or senior year significantly credit deficient will more than likely not graduate in 4 years—the federal ACGR does not take into account the impact of these students.

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

40. 40.1% 46. 46.5% 50. 50.1% 62. 62.2% 87. 87.5%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0% 100.0% 2016

Applies federal grad rate calculation under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Replaced by ESSA, signed in 2015. Applies Nevada State Law (NRS 385A.260), which does not classify Adult Ed/GED/Post-Secondary students as non-graduates Applies Nevada State Law (as above) & does not classify 5th year grads (or students on track to graduate no more than 2 semesters late) as non- graduates Applies federal grad rate calculation under NCLB & does not classify credit deficient students (arriving 1 semester or more behind) as non-graduates Students enrolled at NCA for all 4 years of high school

NCA’s 4-Year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rates for 2016

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0%

MEASURED UNDER NCLB MEASURED UNDER NEVADA LAW MEASURED UNDER NEVADA LAW, AND ADJUSTED FOR 5TH YEAR GRADUATES MEASURED UNDER NCLB, AND ADJUSTED FOR STUDENTS ARRIVING AT NCA BEHIND BY ONE SEMESTER OR MORE

40. 40.1% 1% 46.5% 46.5% 50. 50.1% 1% 62.2% 62.2%

NCA's 20 NCA's 2016 Graduation Rat Graduation Rate

But f But for r recei receiving student ving students one semest

• ne semester

er o

• r m

more b behind, N NCA’s 2 s 2016 f four- year adjust ar adjusted cohor ed cohort graduati graduation rat

• n rate as

as measur measured under NCLB is ed under NCLB is 62.2%

62.2%.

Key Takeaways: NCA’s 4-Year Adjusted Cohort

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

• There are multiple different ways to calculate graduation rate for a school

including under federal and state law.

• Those calculations that make adjustments based on state law or credit

deficient students are more reflective of the unique student population NCA serves—and, therefore, more accurately reflect NCA’s performance at moving students forward in their education toward college and career readiness.

• All states are required to calculate and report a federal ACGR. Nevada State

Law does not define graduation rate, but it does prohibit counting certain students as dropouts (i.e. students who complete a GED or are enrolled in Adult Ed).

CREDIT DEFICIENCY

2016 Nevada Connections Academy Non-Graduates under NCLB

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

2016 Cohort: Who are the Students Classified as “Non-Graduates” Under NCLB?

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

• Credit Deficien

Credit Deficiency Statu cy Status of s of Non-Graduat Non-Graduates Upon Enr s Upon Enrollment: llment:

– Nearly three-quarters (7

(74%) 4%) of students who did no who did not graduat t graduate on

• n time enr

time enrolled lled at NCA credit deficient at NCA credit deficient. (see graph slide 10)

• Arri

Arrival Grade Le Grade Level of

• f Credit Deficie

Credit Deficient Non-G t Non-Graduat aduates: s:

– Those credit deficient students who did no

who did not gradua t graduate on time predomina

• n time predominantly

y transf transferred int erred into NCA during their 1 NCA during their 11th

th or 12

• r 12th

th grade y

grade years ars— 83% on 83% on avera erage. e. (see graph slide 11)

• Se

Severity of

• f Credit Deficien

Credit Deficiency of cy of Non-G Non-Graduat aduates at s at Enr Enroll llment nt:

– Non-graduates who were credit deficient upon enrollment were signif

gnificantly icantly behind in their academic progress—on average 81% were one semest

• ne semester behin

er behind

• r more
• r more in credits (at least 2.5 credits or 5 courses behind). (see graph slide 12)

2016 Cohort: Credit Deficiency Status of Students Upon Enrollment at NCA

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

50.3% 50.3% 49.7% 49.7%

Students Enrolling On Track Students Enrolling Credit Deficient

• 49.7% of stude

49.7% of students fr ts from the 20

• m the 2016 cohor

cohort were credit deficient re credit deficient when they enrolled at NCA.

• Essentially, 1 out of every 2 students were

credit deficient upon enrollment.

Arriv Arrival Sta Status of Stude

• f Students U

Upon

• n

Enr Enrollment at NCA at NCA

2016 NCA Non-Graduates: Credit Deficiency Status Upon Enrollment

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

• 73.7% of stude

73.7% of students classi ts classified as fied as non-graduat non-graduates s in in 20 2016 w were credit deficient re credit deficient when they enrolled at NCA

• Esse

Essentially ntially, 3 3 out of e

• ut of ever

ery 4 y 4 stude students ts w were re credit def credit deficient cient upon enrollment.

Students Students Enr Enroll llin ing g On T On Track, ack, 26.3% 26.3% Students Students Enr Enroll llin ing g Cred Credit it Def Defici cient, ent, 73.7% 73.7%

Students Enrolling On Track Students Enrolling Credit Deficient

Credit Deficiency Status Upon Enrollment

2016 NCA Non-Graduates: Arrival Grade Level

• f Credit Deficient Students
• 84% of credit deficient

% of credit deficient 20 2016 non- non- graduat graduates arriv s arrived at NCA in at NCA in their their 11th or 12th grade y th or 12th grade year (1 ar (163 63 stud students ts)

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

9th

th -

2.6% 2.6% 10 10th

th -

13.4% 3.4% 11 11th

th - 46.9%

46.9% 12 12th

th - 3

• 37.1%

11 11th

th & 12

& 12th

th

84.0% 4.0%

9th grade (5) 10th grade (26) 11th grade (91) 12th grade (72)

Arrival Grade of Credit Deficient Students

2016 NCA Non-Graduates: Severity of Credit Deficiency Upon Enrollment

• 80.4% of credit deficient 20

80.4% of credit deficient 2016 non- non- grad aduates ar s arrived o d one s semest mester o er or more credit deficient (1 more credit deficient (156) 56)

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

One Y One Year ar Behi Behind (>= (>= 5), 5), 52.6 52.6% One Semest One Semester er Behi Behind (>= (>= 2.5, 2.5, < < 5), 5), 27 27.8% Few C w Credit dits s Behi Behind (< 2.5), (< 2.5), 19 19.6%

One Year Behind (>= 5) One Semester Behind (>= 2.5, < 5) Few Credits Behind (< 2.5)

Severity of Credit Deficiency Upon Enrollment

Key Takeaways: NCA’s 2016 Credit Deficient Non-Graduates

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

• The Class of 20

The Class of 2016 non-graduat non-graduates w s were pred re predominantly stude

• minantly students wh

ts who enr

• enrolled as

lled as 11th th grader graders while credit deficient by one year or more.

• Juniors e

enro rolling o

• ne f

full ye year b behind o

• r m

more a are h highly u unlikely to to g graduate o

• n t

time—it is nearly impossible for a student that far behind in their junior year to catch up and graduate with their scheduled class in time.

– In many cases, NCA had only a short period of time to serve these students before their

scheduled graduation.

• In s

In serving t ing this population of s is population of severely cr rely credit edit deficient students deficient students, NCA , NCA’s f s federal A deral ACGR is GR is adv adversely af ely affect cted ed because NCA is being held accountable for this credit deficiency, although it was incurred the students’ prior schools.

Students’ Prior School District: 2016 NCA Credit Deficient Non-Graduates

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

Prior District of Non-Graduat Prior District of Non-Graduates in s in the Class of 20 the Class of 2016 who who Transf ansferred erred int into NCA Credit Def NCA Credit Deficient cient

Cla Clark 4 k 47.9 .9% Wa Washoe 13 13.9% NV Dist NV Districts s 10 10.3% Cha Charter 7 r 7.7% 7% Out Out of

• f Sta

State 11 11.3% Othe Other 8.8% r 8.8%

Clark Washoe Other NV Districts Charter Out of State Other (Home, Private, Unk.)

Students’ Prior School District: Severity of Credit Deficiency Upon Enrollment at NCA of 2016 Non-Graduates

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 Carson Charter Churchill Clark Douglas Elko Home Humboldt Lyon Nye Out of State Pershing Private Unknown Washoe

One Year One Semester Less than semester Total

Four-Year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate Under Federal Calculation (NCLB) Percentage of Students in the Four-Year Adjusted Cohort Under Federal Calculation (NCLB) Who Transferred Out of the District

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

61.6% 71.5% 70.9% 72.1% 74.9% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Clark County School District: 2012-16 Graduation Rates

12.2% 19.3% 14.4% 13.9% 15.1% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 4160 3792 3463 5411 3949

*Data available at http://www.nevadareportcard.com

STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR A 5TH YEAR

2016 Nevada Connections Academy Non-Graduates under NCLB

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

2016 NCA Non-Graduates Who Enrolled at NCA for a 5th Year

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

• 59.3%

59.3% were successful in graduating from NCA or continuing their education at the school. These students further break down as follows:

– 47

47.5% of these students graduated from NCA or are on track to graduate this spring, not more than 2 semesters late.

– 11

11.9% are still enrolled though will not graduate this spring and may go on to a 6th year.

• NCA is moving these 5th year students forward in their education toward

college and career readiness.

IN SUMMARY

Nevada Connections Academy

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

Federal 4-Year ACGR Key Issues

• Given t

n the u e uniq ique p ue popul pulatio tion o

• f stud

udents th ents that vi at virtual s ual schools li hools like NCA NCA ser serve, all data e, all data and f and fact ctors rela

• rs related t

d to graduat graduation rat

• n rate should be

should be considered considered in e evaluating aluating a a s school’s ’s p performance. mance.

― NCA is successful in serving the students who want and need this school choice

• ption; the school’s ACGR should not be viewed in isolation as sole indicator of the

school’s performance.

• The f

The federa deral A l ACGR is a GR is a sin singula ular data data po point th int that counts m at counts many cat categories of gories of students who mak students who make alt altern rnativ ative ac e academic pr ademic progress as non-graduat

• gress as non-graduates.

s.

― Students who transfer to an Adult Education Program, complete a GED, enroll in a post-secondary institution (without formally completing high school), or graduate from high school in their fifth year are classified as dropouts—they are counted as non- graduates under the Nevada implementation of the federal ACGR. ― These are students have a high school education and are set-up to contribute to their communities; they are not dropouts.

Federal 4-Year ACGR: Not an Accurate Measure

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

The The federal 4-y deral 4-year A ar Adjust justed Cohor ed Cohort Graduation Graduation Rat Rate is no is not an accu t an accurat rate measu measure f e for schools r schools ser serving highly mobile or credit def ing highly mobile or credit deficient cient student populations, both present at student populations, both present at NCA NCA.

Highly Mobile P Highly Mobile Population: pulation:

• The federal 4-year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate is a measurement intended to capture the

impact of a school in a 4-year period and does not accurately indicate the performance of a school, such as NCA, with a highly mobile population.

• At NCA, the average length of enrollment for students in the 2016 cohort is slightly less than

1.5 years. These students were enrolled at NCA for a small portion of their high school career, yet NCA bore full responsibility for their 4-year graduation.

– Many students enroll with NCA for a short period of time to address a short-term issue or challenge

(academically, socially or personally)—they return to their previous school once they have navigated the issue. Others find NCA the perfect fit and remain enrolled.

Federal 4-Year ACGR: Not an Accurate Measure

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

The f federal 4 4-ye year A Adjusted C Cohort G Graduation R Rate i is n not a an a accurate m measure f for s schools s serving h highly mobile or mobile or c credit d edit deficient student cient student popula populations, bo tions, both present at NCA th present at NCA.

Credit Def Credit Deficiency: ciency:

• Schools like NCA where so many students arrive credit deficient, the 4-year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate is

even less accurate an indicator of performance:

–

Roughly 1 out of 2 students arrives at NCA credit deficient AND roughly 3 out of 4 students counted as non-graduates arrives at NCA credit deficient.

–

81% of the non-graduates arriving at NCA credit deficient were missing credits in at least 5 courses (1 full semester); 43% of these students had, at most, a year to make up these credits.

• With so many credit deficient students, the federal graduation rate calculation for NCA primarily measures the

impact of the students’ previous schools—it holds the wrong school accountable for these students being credit deficient.

• Closing NCA will not serve to increase the high school graduation rate across the state.
• Closing NCA eliminates NCA as an option to help the large population of students arriving credit deficient it is

currently serving.

NCA is committed to re-engaging credit deficient students and graduating them college and career ready— closing the school eliminates NCA as an option to help these students.

CONNECTIONS EDUCATION CONFIDENTIAL

Importance of School Choice

• Closing NCA would also eliminate SCHOOL CHOICE for the parents of the 3,000+ students

who not only want, but need this option—these families have chosen NCA as the school best suited for to meet their student’s personal and academic needs.