GRMS: ELA Monthly Meeting 11/17/08
Guest: Howie Tuttle
Topic: NWEA Results
1. Howie Tuttle--- joined a talk about NWEA results and how we might use
the scores.
Several Questions have come up about how to talk with students about the scores
Howie says you can certainly talk to the kids and tell them their RIT score
Median scores were discussed briefly
Example: grade 6 reading median score (throughout the nation)
was 213. Most GRMS grade 6 students were above that so cause for hope!
Important to note that several non SPED students did not make that mark.
**Average growth within a year is more like 4 points of growth instead of the 7**
TO THINK ABOUT: NOT MANDATES:
- conference with each student
- have language to use that will bring the kids to awareness of the skills tested
- excite the kids to take it seriously
- look forward to the growth in the Spring
Initial Conversation could be with students:
Ex. RIT score 214:
- Talk about the RIT score—
- Tell them the RIT score
- Within the score, 4 goal areas (introduce them)
- Give them their own personal target
- 4 points of growth is the target
- Here is what we can do together to get closer to that target
IF YOU MEET WITH STUDENTS:
***** ONLY TELL THE STUDENT THEIR SCORE *****
not where they stand in relation to other students. Make this a personal/individual growth piece.
On NWEA site, there is a parent letter and there are tools for communication—take a look but do not send letters home yet. We are still in “internal study “ mode with this test. We will have a much clearer understanding of the test and results in the Spring
Next NWEA testing is in May and we are trying to find ways to test kids differently so that classes are not displaced and the testing window/time for the whole school is made more efficient
2. ASSESSMENT INFO:
Debra has put together a glossary of terms that will give you the PROPER abbreviations
3. MEA INFO:
The areas to be assessed are Reading , Writing, language A, B and D.
TEACHERS MUST DO DIRECT AND INTENTIONAL INSTRUCTION IN GRAMMAR
A ‘4’ now means full credit for constructed response vs. exceeding the standards
4. NECAP: Projected to be taken in Oct. with results coming in January
all 3 grades will take it.
5. Grammar—use the Grammar Pyramid and guidelines for grammar instruction
6. Revision and FCA rubrics—use them please
7. Spelling Bee: Donna Whalen waiting to see if there is going to be sponsorship- will keep us posted
Next meeting: Dec 15, 2008
Guest & Topic: Karen Moody on Scope and Sequence in the Elementary schools