There are numerous resources on MDK12 to help you engage your staff in analyzing their state assessment data. Analyzing AYP data will help you identify gaps between your school’s performance and NCLB / state targets. Low performance areas will help you set priorities for your school improvement goals.
The No Child Left Behind Act requires all schools, districts, and states to show that students are making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in reading, math and another measure. Meeting AYP targets is the major student achievement goal for all schools.
Student progress in reading and math is measured by the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) or—for a small number of students with profound disabilities—the Alternate MSA (ALT-MSA). Not only does the school as a whole (all students) need to make AYP targets but eight subgroups of students (African American, American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, White, LEP, economically disadvantaged, and special education students) also need to make the same AYP target.
How do you engage staff in clarifying your problem?
Now that you have identified your low performance areas, you are ready to clarify your problem. Key questions that need addressing during the problem clarification process include the following:
- Do all teachers (at each grade level) understand the target?
- Do all teachers teach and assess the content standards their students are expected to know?
- Do all teachers know where each of their students is in relationship to the content standards?
- Do all teachers use that information to inform their instruction?
- Do all teachers monitor student progress in a format that will inform instruction and program interventions?
The answers to these questions will lead to an identification of the school improvement strategies needed if the school is going to see improved student achievement and the professional development needed to build teacher capacity to implement these strategies.
Additional MDK12 resources that will assist your school in clarifying your problem in a low performing area are listed below:
