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Swansea School Department: 

Swansea School Department Spring 2007 MCAS Test Results: A Longitudinal View

Aggregate Cohort Comparison Grade 5 - 6 Mathematics: 

Aggregate Cohort Comparison Grade 5 - 6 Mathematics

Cohort Comparison Grade 4,6 & 7 Mathematics: 

Cohort Comparison Grade 4,6 & 7 Mathematics

Cohort Comparison Grade 4 – 8 Mathematics: 

Cohort Comparison Grade 4 – 8 Mathematics

3 Grade 7 students achieved a perfect score-16% of Junior High School (86 students) are within 1-2 correct answers of achieving the next Performance Level. (25 A, 33 P, 28 NI) - 41% of Grade 6 scored Advanced or Proficient- 49% of Grade 7 scored Advanced or Proficient- “Warning and N.I.” totals for current 7th grade decreased to 58% from 76%: 

3 Grade 7 students achieved a perfect score -16% of Junior High School (86 students) are within 1-2 correct answers of achieving the next Performance Level. (25 A, 33 P, 28 NI) - 41% of Grade 6 scored Advanced or Proficient - 49% of Grade 7 scored Advanced or Proficient - “Warning and N.I.” totals for current 7th grade decreased to 58% from 76% Case Junior High Math “Spotlights”

Needs Analysis/Weaknesses: 

Needs Analysis/Weaknesses Continue to emphasize the importance of…reading, following, and answering ALL parts of Multi-Step word problems. More practice of Unit Conversions within a) Same units of measure and b) Between different units of measure. Practice interpreting data from charts, graphs, and tables into useful expressions for linear relationships. Continue to emphasize the importance of leaving no questions blank or unanswered. Be it multiple choice, short answer, or open response; answer the question as completely and accurately as possible, using all labels, etc.

Action Plan/Strategies: 

Action Plan/Strategies SmartBoard/Power Point Technology Training Math Specialist 2x/ cycle for 6th and 8th grade PLATO/Study Island Mobile Laptops Math Team Math Centers for each grade Quarterfinals that mirror MCAS Mathematical tool training Modeling Word Problem Solutions Vocabulary Development Real-life and hands-on math lessons Test-taking skills Sharpen Up books In-class instruction designed to strengthen areas of weakness Itineraries/Objectives/ Activators/Summarizers Website MCAS challenge questions After school Remediation Program

Aggregate Cohort Comparison Grade 5 - 6 E.L.A.: 

Aggregate Cohort Comparison Grade 5 - 6 E.L.A.

Cohort Comparison Grade 4,6 & 7 E.L.A.: 

Cohort Comparison Grade 4,6 & 7 E.L.A.

Cohort Comparison Grade 4,7 & 8 E.L.A.: 

Cohort Comparison Grade 4,7 & 8 E.L.A.

Goals: 

Goals improve MCAS Open Response scores increase the number of students scoring in the Advanced category expand the remedial reading program as a means of moving students from the NI to Proficient category encourage writing across the curriculum integrate technology into the curriculum

Strategies: 

Strategies score open response questions on tests as a separate item encourage students to proof read for content extensive modeling of well developed answers through teacher and student examples emphasize editing and revision skills use more non-fiction pieces for instruction exams model MCAS format utilize PowerPoint as well as the online textbook, smart board and rolling computer lab

Aggregate Cohort Comparison Grade 5 & 8 Science: 

Aggregate Cohort Comparison Grade 5 & 8 Science

Subject Area Subscores in Comparison to State Science Results: 

Subject Area Subscores in Comparison to State Science Results 65%

Performance Level Results in Comparison to the State Science Results: 

Performance Level Results in Comparison to the State Science Results

Departmental Strategies for Increased Science Performance: 

Departmental Strategies for Increased Science Performance Coordinate with teachers in grades 3,4, and 5 to discuss curriculum Coordinate with the math department to address the metric system in the curriculum Introduce the metric system in grades six and seven to provide a foundation for more in depth coverage in eighth grade Incorporate technology to enhance the curriculum (Smartboard, interactive websites, animations, and Power Point) Include strategies to increase vocabulary (list of common scientific words to utilize throughout the grade levels, word splashes as a summarizer to show the relationship between concepts, journal writings utilizing vocabulary) Hands-on activities, visuals, models, labs, and real world application and examples Increase proficiency in open response questions Analysis and interpretation of diagrams

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 5 & 6 Mathematics: 

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 5 & 6 Mathematics

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 6 & 7 Mathematics: 

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 6 & 7 Mathematics

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 6, 7 & 8 Mathematics: 

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 6, 7 & 8 Mathematics

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 5 - 6 E.L.A.: 

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 5 - 6 E.L.A.

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 6 & 7 E.L.A.: 

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 6 & 7 E.L.A.

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 7 & 8 E.L.A.: 

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 7 & 8 E.L.A.

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 5 & 8 Science: 

Cohort Comparison Special Needs Grade 5 & 8 Science

Slide27: 

Strengths & Weaknesses found through data analysis of previous MCAS tests.

Building- Based MCAS Strategies for Special Education: 

Building- Based MCAS Strategies for Special Education Open Response / Enrichment Smart Board in Math class Tests / quarterfinals MCAS format RBT tied to specific learning disabilities Math remediation/skill practice (PLATO) MCAS Assessment utilized/ ALT. Assessment Specialist Testing Schedule: limiting sections of testing per day start time for testing to Period 2 to maximize student preparedness/readiness

JOSEPH CASE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLBuilding-Based MCAS Strategies: 

JOSEPH CASE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Building-Based MCAS Strategies Math related (MCAS) vocabulary reinforces understanding and mastery of key terms Math Remediation Specialist to work with identified students Remediation/skill practice (PLATO) – Grade 8 – all students and Grade 7 Remediation/skill practice (PLATO) – Self-Contained Special Needs – Classes Grades 6, 7, and 8. Remediation/skill practice (Study Island) – Grade 6 – all students

Slide30: 

Practice / implementation manipulative, hands-on practical applications Instructional strategies for the inclusion and implementation of technology [Mobile Lab, DLP/Laptop, Smartboard] Item analysis of data and identification of standards and skills to address areas of difficulty. Review and revision of summative and formative assessments to include MCAS related vocabulary and question format. Inclusion of former MCAS questions in classroom instruction, concentration on development of understanding of questions, breaking down and analyzing parts for better understanding of student expectations in successfully answering questions (Grade 7 will be able to expand in this area due to having experienced first year of testing and familiarity with expectations.)

Slide31: 

Inclusion of test-taking strategies for word problems, short answer open- response, multiple choice limiting sections of testing per day accommodating to students with attention difficulties Posting (website) of MCAS challenge questions for parents and students to engage and practice at home Principal-directed positive reinforcement – Student recognition for progress made at all levels of MCAS (assembly, individual student recognition and certificate, lunch with principal). Principal-directed – Pre-Testing – Class meetings (direction in test-taking strategies and motivational discussion) After-School Remediation Program for students identified (NI-230) and warning.

Slide32: 

Future Considerations: Summer Math Program for identified students performing at warning level. Better Data Interpretation Software

questions: 

questions