The 2011 MCAS reports include a new subgroup designation called "High Needs." The Data Warehouse FAQ describes this group as "a new subgroup category that includes all students in one or more of the subgroups: English language learner (ELL)/former English language learner students, low income students, or students with disabilities."
A number of people have asked for more information about this subgroup - in particular, if/how it is being used for accountability/assistance determination.
The simple answer from the accountability group at ESE is that this "new" subgroup is NOT being used to determine AYP or state accountability/assistance. (The individual subgroups that make up High Needs, of course, are a continuing piece of this calculation.) The High Needs subgroup is currently being used in two ways: (1) determining schools commended for narrowing proficiency gaps, and (2) measuring progress for schools who are working to exit Level 4 status.
post edited 9/8/2011
