Finding the Balance
Learning and Assessing in KCS
Winter 2014
Assessing Student Mastery through Cumulative Benchmark Assessments
The purpose of the DE benchmarks is to give us data about student mastery of the curriculum as a whole. These cumulative benchmarks allow us to gain insight about content that students may already grasp despite not having received instruction for that standard. This allows us to efficiently and proactively customize instruction. They give us an indicator of student growth which allows us to make data-driven decisions to target students or subgroups and allocate our resources appropriately. Standards based benchmark assessments, nor standards based formative assessments can provide this type of data.
As a result, we analyze cumulative benchmark assessments differently than we would analyze standards based benchmark assessments. We do not look at student "proficiency". Rather, we compare results from one benchmark to the next. We examine the results determine the effectiveness of various programs and strategies throughout the district. Lastly, when we have multiple years of DE assessments we will compare how our students perform from one year to the next.
Below are various analysis protocol documents that are used at the district, school and classroom level to analyze the Discovery Education Assessments.
Teacher Benchmark Analysis Guide
School Benchmark Analysis Guide
District Benchmark Analysis Guide
Data Guru Meetings
At our upcoming meeting on November 20th the Data Gurus will focus on Discovery Ed growth reports and Progress Zone. Participants will drill down through a variety of assessment reports to identify positive trends and areas of potential growth. An introduction to Progress Zone will give participants the power to create formative assessments to check for students' understanding across subject areas. An example of media-rich instructional strategy will be shared to increase engagement and rigor. Time will be allotted for action planning and next steps. Gurus will then expected to share the information with teachers and leaders in their school.
If you would like to learn more about the resources that are shared at Data Guru meetings please speak with the instructional coach(es) at your school or contact the Accountability Office.
Increasing Instructional and Assessment Rigor in KCS
Learn about the Knowledge & Application Grid
See Examples of Rigorous and Relevant Instruction
Examine Myths about Rigor
Please click on this link for the presentation. The presentation also contains helpful information for parents and teachers regarding the ACT assessment.
KCS Accountability Department
Email: kelly.burgess@kcs.k12.nc.us
Website: www.kcsteacherplaybook.wikispaces.com
Location: Kannapolis City Schools, 100 Denver St, Kannapolis, NC, United States
Phone: 704-933-8378