Once a timeline for implementing a school's diploma assessment(s) has been established, a plan for phasing in the School-Wide Diploma Assessment(s) should be developed. Again a school's phase-in plan should focus on the class of 2008 and must allow adequate time for those students to gain the knowledge and skills they need to successfully complete their exhibition or graduation portfolio.

Things to Consider

The phase-in plan should take into account the time needed for development and implementation of assessments that meet RIDE requirements. Phase-in structures can take different forms. One possibility is to begin with one or two grades, adding another grade level each year. When developing a phase-in plan, consider the following:

• Adequate professional development for teachers and administrators to give them the skills they need to implement the school-wide assessment
• School readiness for the graduating class of 2008
• The need to develop appropriate and sufficient school support structures
• Ensuring that portfolios have sufficient entries and/or that students have time for completion of an exhibition