Measuring Excellence 2009

The Next Level of Learning : 

The Next Level of Learning 2009 Process and Results

Traditional measures provide one important perspective on student achievement. : 

Traditional measures provide one important perspective on student achievement. Mandated NY Standardized Tests Advanced Placement Examinations College Matriculation …Levels, Patterns, Trends, Comparisons

ELA achievement is high, with stable patterns and favorable comparisons. : 

ELA achievement is high, with stable patterns and favorable comparisons.

Mathematics achievement is also high, with stable patterns and favorable comparisons. : 

Mathematics achievement is also high, with stable patterns and favorable comparisons.

AP participation has doubled since 2003. : 

AP participation has doubled since 2003.

About 90% of participants qualify for college credit; two-thirds are highly qualified. : 

About 90% of participants qualify for college credit; two-thirds are highly qualified.

90% of seniors attend colleges that are “very”, “highly” or “most” competitive. : 

90% of seniors attend colleges that are “very”, “highly” or “most” competitive.

BUT we need rigorous national standards. : 

BUT we need rigorous national standards. National Standards SHOULD BE Fewer, clearer, higher . . . Aligned with college and work expectations Inclusive of rigorous content and applications of knowledge through higher order skills Internationally benchmarked Research and evidence based -Common Core Standards Initiative (NGA and CCSSO)

We also value other results and have additional indicators of quality. : 

We also value other results and have additional indicators of quality. High Quality Student Work including higher level thinking and problem solving skills High Quality Instruction including using technology as a key tool for learning Student Initiative and Engagement including creativity and innovation Our professional development strands address these areas.

Quality of teaching is the key driver for student learning results. : 

Quality of teaching is the key driver for student learning results. Quality of an educational system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers Only way to improve outcomes is to improve instruction Achieving universally high outcomes is only possible by putting in place mechanisms to ensure that schools deliver high quality instruction to every child. -McKinsey & Company, 2006

Classroom observations indicate that teachers are performing at higher levels. : 

Classroom observations indicate that teachers are performing at higher levels.

Teacher perceptions about technology are more positive. : 

Teacher perceptions about technology are more positive.

Student attitudes toward learning are positive and stable. : 

Student attitudes toward learning are positive and stable.

CWRA Results : 

CWRA Results “Students must integrate writing, critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and reading comprehension skills, plus apply significant effort in order to perform well. The holistic integration of these skills on the CLA essay responses mirrors the requirements of serious thinking and writing tasks faced in life outside of the classroom. . . We define these skills as a student's demonstrated ability to evaluate and analyze source information, and subsequently to draw conclusions and present an argument based upon that analysis.”

The CWRA measures the school contribution to students’ ability to perform college-level work. : 

The CWRA measures the school contribution to students’ ability to perform college-level work. All high school freshmen (fall) and seniors (spring) complete one 90-minute Performance Task. Each Performance Task presents a realistic problem that requires students to analyze complex materials varying in reliability and accuracy, and to construct written responses that demonstrate their abilities to think critically, reason analytically, solve problems, and communicate clearly and cogently

CWRA Performance Task 2 : 

CWRA Performance Task 2 You are working for the Mayor of a town where the key issue is the growth of the crime rate.  Some politicians and residents advocate increasing the number of policemen. Others argue that prevention is the wiser course, focusing on the possible causes of crime. Your job is to weigh the evidence and make a recommendation for the best course of action. Artifacts provided include:

CWRA Performance Task 2 : 

CWRA Performance Task 2 Newspaper article about a crime, with the robbery suspect being a drug addict Table of statistics of crime and drug use in the community Research memo from a think tank about how a drug treatment program influenced crime reduction in another community Graph of the number of crime incidents and of police officers on the beat Chart of robberies and drug use in the community by zip code Research abstract about drug prevention and crime reduction results on a city-wide basis.

CWRA Performance Task 2 : 

CWRA Performance Task 2 You have to select the right source of data, analyze the data and issues of correlation and causation, and use their problem-solving and writing skills to come up with a memo for the mayor that recommends the most effective approach to reducing crime.

The CWRA results show that our school adds value to students’ reasoning skills. : 

The CWRA results show that our school adds value to students’ reasoning skills.

The next level of learning requires sustained, focused professional development. : 

The next level of learning requires sustained, focused professional development. Focus on the Three Strands K-12 Technology Curriculum Interdisciplinary student projects Teacher use of information about student learning to plan for instruction Increase student opportunities for in-depth exploration and engagement in the wider world