Update
Regional Center of Excellence by Mary Jenatscheck
Interpreting OLPA Results through the Lens of Growth
In attempting to interpret OLPA results it was suggested to me I look at the data through the lens of growth. There is logic to this approach as growth is an important measure of student learning, the MMR weighs growth heavily, and an examination of growth data pushes us to look beyond proficiency. The following is one way to illustrate conversations about growth. Create an Excel spreadsheet with columns for student names, last spring's MCA math scale scores, the current year's OLPA scale scores, and the growth targets I will attach in a follow-up e-mail. Note the sample below.
The following is a potential analysis of the three students in the sample while shedding light on the importance of examining growth as well as proficiency. The first student, Joe Adams, as a third grader fell into the MCA's 'did not meet proficiency' category. However, as a fourth grader Joe's scores reflect he likely will not reach proficiency but he is on track to surpass his growth target. This is of course most important for the student's progress, but the growth also increases a school's MMR. The second student, Jane Doe, is a student who fits the descriptor of what has been traditionally described as the 'bubble kid'. As a fourth grader she was in the 'partially proficient category' and just missed the 'meets proficiency' by one scale score. However, given that growth, and not just proficiency, is an important measurement, we need to work with all students and minimize the 'bubble kid' efforts that have occasionally excluded working with all others. The third student, John Smith, reached MCA's 'Exceeds Proficiency' as a fifth grader. However, as a sixth grader, though he is easily on track to be proficient, his scores may reflect concerns about his growth and his contributing negative growth scores to the school's MMR.
Teacher's knowledge of students is essential in reflecting on this data and making adjustments in instruction. Strand scores of OLPA can further assess if there are strengths and challenges for each students within the areas of number & operations, algebra, geometry or data & measurement.
Upcoming Regional Center of Excellence Networking Meeting
The Center of Excellence is preparing for a March Networking Meeting and we are hoping everyone is able and willing to attend. The sessions will focus on the data section of the Leadership Implementation Team rubric. Two duplicate sessions are being offered, one on March 5 and one on March 27 in Sartell. Use the following links to register if you have not yet done so:
What's On Your Book Shelf?
School Report Card Site
Much work has been done on the Minnesota Report Card Site of the MDE website to make test results easy to access and read. The site is public and can be found under the Data Center tab on the MDE Home Page. For a quick check-in click on the following link: