Re: "desk audit" of FCAT?

["William Cala" <wcala@rochester.rr.com>]

Gloria,

A desk audit is generally a procedure that measures the expectation vs. what
is actually happening.  In human resources, for example, a desk audit of a
civil service position would determine if, say, a secretary is doing
appropriate work in her job as is relates to the civil service job title he
or she holds.

The desk audit of an FCAT is more than likely a check to see if the grading
procedure performed is equal to the grading procedure expected.  I doubt
from what you wrote in the e-mail that they will look at this particular
exam.  They will look at the process.  In other words, a bureaucratic bull
crap answer that offers no help nor real investigation.

BC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gloria Pipkin" <gpipkin@i-1.net>
To: "Assessment Reform Network Mailing List" <ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU>;
<ARN-L@interversity.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 8:13 PM
Subject: [arn-l] "desk audit" of FCAT?


Can anyone tell me more about what might be meant by a "desk audit" of an
FCAT?  The mother of a senior who has taken the FCAT for the sixth time,
failing only the math test by one point the last time, contacted the DOE and
asked for her daughter's test to be re-graded.  What follows is part of the
reply.  This is the first time I've seen or heard any reference to such a
process or option. Thanks for any help you can give us.

EXCERPT FROM EMAIL FROM DOE PROGRAM SPECIALIST:
As I stated in my previous email, you may request a "Desk Audit" of your
student's test.  If through the desk audit procedure I felt there was any
anomaly in her test, I would not hesitate to have the actual document pulled
and verify the scoring.  As I stated, this is done in writing and through
the school district testing office.

I do not want to give you any false hope.  Your message indicates that you
believe a "regrading" would result in a different
score.  I am confident in the scoring, but willing to accommodate your
request.
END OF EMAIL EXCERPT

You may recall that last fall a Circuit Court judge in Tallahassee ruled in
favor of granting parents access to their children's test booklets and
answer sheets, but the DOE appealed the ruling and triggered an automatic
stay.  The appeals court has not yet made its ruling.

Gloria
gpipkin@i-1.net