How did the multi-state Algebra II test come about? In May 2005, leaders from the ADP Network States began to explore the possibility of working together, with support from Achieve, to launch a pilot program: the development of a common end-of-course exam in Algebra II.   These states were planning to require or strongly encourage students to take Algebra II (or its equivalent) so that they would be better prepared for college.

How many states are participating in the Algebra II exam pilot? The original nine participating state are:  Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.   Five additional states —Arizona, Hawaii, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Washington—have joined the partnership, bringing the total number of participating states to fourteen. Additional states may also join the partnership.

Are there other state-led multi-state tests currently being used? Yes, the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) is a program developed by three states (New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont). The program tests all students in grades 3-8 and 11 in reading, writing and mathematics. The ADP Algebra II end-of-course exam is the largest multi-state testing pilot to date.

What are the benefits of a multi-state exam? State leaders recognized that developing a rigorous Algebra II end-of-course exam would help ensure:

• A consistent level of content and rigor in classes within and across their respective states.  
• A high quality, rigorous test that measures college and career readiness.
• Faster test development, at a lower cost to each state.
• Comparisons of performance and progress within states and across states.

What’s the purpose of the Algebra II exam? The ADP Algebra II end-of-course exam will serve three main purposes:

1. To improve curriculum and instruction. The exam will help classroom teachers focus on the most important concepts and skills in Algebra II and identify areas where the curriculum needs to be strengthened.  After the standards are set teachers will get test results back within three weeks of when the exam is administered, which will provide sufficient time to make the necessary adjustments for the next year’s course.

2. To help colleges determine if students are ready to do credit-bearing work. Because the exam is aligned with the ADP mathematics benchmarks, it will measure skills students need to enter and succeed in first-year, credit-bearing mathematics courses. Postsecondary institutions will be able to use the results of the exam to tell high school students whether they are ready for college-level work, or if they have content and skill gaps that need to be filled before they enroll in college.  This information should help high schools better prepare their students for college, and over time reduce the need for colleges to provide costly remediation courses.

3. To compare performance and progress among the participating states.  Having agreed on the core content expectations of Algebra II, states are interested in tracking student performance over time. Achieve will issue a report each year comparing performance and progress among the participating states.

Why is Algebra II (or its equivalent) so important for students? Algebra II (or an integrated course that covers the same content) is a gateway course for higher education and teaches quantitative reasoning skills important for the workplace.  Achieve’s research shows that higher level mathematics courses such as Algebra II improve access to postsecondary education, are critical for college success, and are important to many careers—including those that don’t require a four- year college degree.  Students that complete such coursework are not only better prepared for work, they earn higher salaries. Achieve’s conclusions, as reflected in its mathematics benchmarks (Ready or Not), have been reinforced by other research, such as ACT.      

Who is the contractor for the exam and how was the contractor chosen? In the fall of 2005, nine ADP states—Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island—came together to reach consensus on the exam purposes, content, format and other characteristics.  In summer 2006 the nine states, under Ohio’s auspices, issued a Request for Proposals for the development, scoring and reporting of the ADP Algebra II end-of-course exam. In March 2007, the contract was awarded to Pearson Education Measurement (Pearson).  At its own expense, Pearson is developing the test items to meet the specifications agreed upon by the original nine states.  States pay for test administration and scoring based on the number of test-takers.

 When will the test be given and how many students are participating in each state? The first administration of the test will occur from the beginning of May until mid-June, 2008.  In some states, only a few hundred students will pilot the exam in other states all students who are currently enrolled in Algebra II will be taking the exam.  In addition in a few states, postsecondary students will take the exam.  Altogether, over 111,000 students will be taking the exam this spring. 

What’s in the exam? The exam will consist of a common core, which will be taken by students across all participating states. The core Algebra II exam will cover a range of algebraic topics that are typically taught in an Algebra II course.  These include:  1) Operations on Numbers and Expressions  2) Equations and Inequalities   3) Polynomial and Rational Functions   4) Exponential functions and  5) Function Operations and Inverses. More detail on the exam content can be found at: http://www.achieve.org/files/AlgebraIIExamContent01-10-08.pdf

How many questions are there and how is the test structured? There are 57 items on the exam.  The breakdown is: multiple-choice (46), short answer (7), and extended response (4).  At least 30% of the student’s score will be based on the short-answer and extended-response items. 

How long is the test? Although untimed, two testing sessions approximately 45-60 minutes in length are recommended. The first session contains multiple choice, short-answer and extended-response items and is taken without a calculator.  The second session contains multiple choice, short- answer and extended- response items, and a calculator is permitted.  

What is the calculator policy for the Algebra II exam? The Algebra II end-of-course exam permits calculators for the second session which contains multiple choice, short-answer and extended-response items.  A graphing calculator is suggested, but not required. In fact, students should use the calculator that they are most familiar with. There are no items which advantage or disadvantage a student with a particular type of calculator, assuming the student knows the mathematics content involved and how to approach it using their calculator.   In addition, all items can be answered without a calculator.  In fact, it is important that students learn to assess for themselves whether or not a calculator would be helpful when approaching exam items.

Is it possible to see test questions? Yes, released items can be found at: http://www.achieve.org/files/ADP_AlgII_Released_Items_March_2008_dnld.pd

How is the test given? This spring’s test will be pencil and paper.  Optional online testing will begin in the fall of 2008

How was the test developed? The test items for the ADP Algebra II end-of-course exam were developed by Pearson. Each item has been reviewed by mathematics teachers and postsecondary mathematics faculty from the participating states. The items are aligned with the content specifications that were developed by a committee of representatives from each of the original nine states, which in turn are aligned with Achieve’s ADP mathematics benchmarks. 

How will the test be scored? Across the states, the exam will be scored using a set of common performance levels, which will be determined by the participating states in conjunction with Achieve. This will help ensure consistency of expectations regardless of where a student attends school. 

How will states use the exam? All participating states view the exam as an opportunity to improve mathematics instruction and curriculum and to help prepare students for college and careers. However, each participating state will determine how it will use the ADP Algebra II end-of-course exam.  In some states, all students who take Algebra II will be required to take the exam. In other states, decisions about the exam will be left up to districts, some of which may require students to take the exam as part of an Algebra II course or its equivalent. Lastly, some states will make the exam optional, allowing students to choose whether to take it. Over time, all states hope their postsecondary institutions will accept the Algebra II end-of-course exam as an indicator of students’ readiness for college level course work.

How will the exam results be reported? Parents will receive a printed report with their student’s result. Schools and  districts will have access to electronic reports for their students.  These will include individual student results as well as summary information for all test takers. Achieve will also issue an annual report that shares the results from participating states.  In the first few years, the size and makeup of the test taking populations in each state will likely vary as some states will administer the test to all students while others will make the test optional.  The report will include the number of students taking Algebra II, the number of students taking the Algebra II end-of-course exam and the results.

How will the states use the Algebra II end-of-course exam results? The states will consider additional ways in which they can work together to provide their schools with tools and strategies necessary to improve secondary mathematics achievement – such as curriculum, instructional strategies, formative assessments, professional development and support for students. 

Is the consortium developing other tests? Yes.  A subset of the Algebra II states is working on developing an Algebra I end-of-course exam.   The original contract allowed for development and administration of this subject without re-bidding the contract.  It is expected that the first administration of the Algebra I test will be in spring 2009.

What is the American Diploma Project network? The American Diploma Project (ADP) network is a coalition of 33 states that are dedicated to making sure every high school graduate is prepared for college, career and life. Together, network members are responsible for educating nearly 80% of all U.S. public school students.  The network is managed by Achieve, Inc., a non-profit group founded by governors and business leaders committed to ensuring that all high school students graduate ready for college, career and life.

How do states join the ADP network? Governors and state education leaders join the network and organize a state leadership team consisting of representatives from the K-12, higher education and the business community.  These state teams commit to making the high school diploma count by raising the rigor of the high school standards, graduation requirements, assessments and accountability systems and aligning these expectations with the demands of postsecondary education and career.