I am sure that you will be happy that I am only asking one question this go around.
Los Pen operates under the assumption that student achievement datashould be easily accessible to and openly shared among teachers. Is student achievement data easily accessible and openly shared at Gilbert High School? What steps have been taken to make this happen in your school? Where do you access data about our school?
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We have access to plenty of student achievement data. Between Powerschool and testview, we have access to grades this year, in previous years, and how they did on just about every standardized achievement test they have taken since Kindergarten. I always look at my students' grades after the nine weeks ends on PowerSchool to see how they are doing in other classes. At the beginning of the year, I check TestView to see how they did in the past on MAP and PASS. Tons of data to look at.
ReplyDeleteI use Testview to access student scores on standardized tests, Powerschool to check their grades, and EOCEP/HSAP test scores to assess progress and set goals for the following year. In addition, along with other English I teachers, I review scores and compile an item analysis after each Benchmark Test in order to identify student weaknesses in particular areas. We then can focus on better ways to teach those particular skills/standards.
ReplyDeleteI concur; TestView and Powerschool make achievement data readily accessible. Our reasons for accessing this data coincide with our reasons for assessing: sometimes we are looking for students’ progress toward a goal, and sometimes we are looking to see whether they met the goal. Powerschool allows us to examine grades in all content areas our students are studying, both during and after an assessment period. TestView allows us to see how our students have performed in the past so that we can gauge the next steps we need to take. The same goes for the data team presentations that we receive at the beginning of each school year – the updates on EOCEP, HSAP, and AP scores keep us informed about how our school is performing as a whole (not to mention the fact that each of us check our students’ scores on these tests as soon as they become available). Working with John Trowbridge and the intervention team keeps me updated on my students’ progress in all of their classes. Finally, item analysis of common assessments represents the ultimate form of sharing data openly so that we can use the results to better prepare for the future.
ReplyDeleteAs a counselor, I use Testview and Power School all the time!! If students are not performing well in a class it is very helpful to look in testview to see what their standardized test scores have been in the past. We can see grades from middle school and see if they have excelled or struggled in a particular area. This is also very helpful information when parents call and ask about "levels" of courses and whether their child is placed appropriately. It would be difficult to help students academically without data!
ReplyDeleteI also agree that we have plenty of data to get a good understanding of our student's achievement level. Not only do we have access to the previous year’s scores but to scores from several years back. It’s nice to see how much the students increase each year and to see where their strengths and weaknesses are. In addition to testview, we are given data each semester on the scores for several state tests. This allows us to see where there needs to be improvement. As Cathy said, working with other English 1 teachers to analyze benchmark test scores helps us find where we can progress as teachers; hence collaborative planning.
ReplyDeleteI feel that student achievement data is very easily accessible. Between Testview and Power School I believe teachers have plenty of access to information about their students’ current and past progress. Also, I find that within our department we, especially the Spanish teachers, share knowledge about students' previous achievement. This is always very helpful since language experiences from one level to the next are connected.
ReplyDeleteStudent achievement data is very easily acessbile. I use Testview and Powerschool to check up on my student's performance. Sometimes this doesn't always reflect the actual skills that my students are acquiring especially in general education classes. I will contact the general ed. teacher and ask them if they are participating and appropriately interacting with peers. Test scores sometimes do not reflect the skills the sutdents have acquired that will allow them to be successful in the future.
ReplyDeleteI, too, agree with the previous posts. The teachers, counselors, and administrators have access to a variety of standardized tests, scores from previous classes, etc. through resources such as Test View and Power School. Access to performance information allows teachers to modify instruction based on the individual needs of our students. I think that another way that we access current data on our students is through collaboration between teachers of the same subjects. We can compare scores and teaching methods to see if others have ideas that may help with students that we currently teach that may be performing at lower levels (and those students that need to be challenged at higher levels). I use Test View not only to see what students require more help academically, but to see which students need more of a challenge. I had a student at another school once that liked to cause lots of trouble in the classroom and rarely wanted to participate in class. As it turns out, her standardized test scores where phenomenal and the problems (many times) were related to boredom. I initially believed that she was not doing well because she was not capable of making great grades…once I found out how well she could perform, I made a point to push her more and encourage her to do more because I knew (as well as she did) that she was capable. I am proud to say that she came to realize her full potential, began to work harder and managed to stay out of trouble (so that she could graduate and prove to herself that she could be successful). I hear she actually graduated early.
ReplyDeleteStudent data is available from various resources within our school. I always use Powerschool to check term grades of a student and to check the overall GPA and student class rank. I try to determine student study habits and performance abilities from the data available. I have also talked with guidance when I had a question about student performance. Some of the best information gathered has been from other teachers who have taught the student and can relay information about student achievement. We are now living in an "Information Society" and should use all the data available to promote greater student achievement.
ReplyDeleteInformation regarding students' grade information is readily available through TestView and Powerteacher. I frequently use this information to see how students are currently doing and how they done in the past in other classes and on tests. This information is crucial in determining a students' academic/learning level and can also provide "warning signs" to look out for in regards to steps I might have to take to assist student.
ReplyDeleteTestview and powerschool are wonderful tools for teachers. I love being able to see how students are doing and have done in other classes. I like to see the attendance record too. Testview has been nice, but I still don't feel like I completely understand what it is I am studying when I use Testview. I would like to know more about how to run reports in that software.
ReplyDeleteUS History teachers use data gained from the district office and by analyzing our students' results on the benchmark quizzes. We also analyze each question to make sure that we are explaining the material and to determine ways to improve our teaching. Benchmark committee also analyzes the quizzes - hoping to improve them. Mr Rivers also gives data/feedback dealing with tests our students take. Test View is helpful is learning reading ability of our students. Power school is used to locate information that is needed.
ReplyDeleteI use Student Services/Media/Technology specialists to gain information/help needed to help/guide students and their learning.
I also use powerschool and testview to collect information that might help in working with students. I have found Student Services and D. Oswald helpful in understanding particular students and situations that might directly affect their school performance.
ReplyDeleteStudent achievement data is accessible in the form of End of Course tests and other standardized test scores. This is all accessible through TestView which is WONDERFUL! Formative and Summative data on a daily basis are not as accessible. Many times the data is received through standardized tests after the damage has been done to the students’ scores. Testing information and analysis per pupil would be very helpful before a standardized test is administered. Not only would this information be helpful for the student and teacher before assessment, but I bet it would benefit our school scores as a well. We are beginning the process of analyzing data and making this available by developing common assessments and collaborative times where departments can come together and discuss data from classroom to classroom and pupil to pupil. This is the first step that will lead us to better serving our students.
ReplyDeleteWe have access to several different databases that include student assessment data. I especially like Test view, particularly when I want to use differentiated instruction. I think that having that as well as having access to Power Teacher and being able to see what students have done in the past is very helpful. I also communicate with other subject area teachers about students that we share. I think it is not only good, but imperative for us to have this type of access for proper planning--Also I can see a need for a some pre testing similar to what we do with End of Course testing so that we can see where our kids strengths and weaknesses are in terms of standards.
ReplyDeleteI think TestView and PowerSchool are both valuable resources, both in understanding where students are when they come to us and in planning instruction based on students' past performance. I can remember having to go through guidance records every semester to copy test scores from student records. This is so much easier. I agree with Lisa Myrick that more training on the nuances of the systems and generating reports would be useful.
ReplyDeleteI love looking at Testview and PowerSchool to check on individual student progress. The EOCEP and HSAP data are available for our school in the teacher handbook, as well as goals for the year through the data team. The school report card breaks down the data ethnically as well. MAP offers so much information to teachers regarding skills students need to master, and I think the information obtained through PSAT, PLAN, and KUDOR give students valuable information about their interests and skills. I think Gilbert does an excellent job of making data available to all stakeholders involved in trying to make students successful.
ReplyDeleteTestView and Powerschool are user friendly and consequently, student information is readily available. The "problem" for me if could call it that, is I sometimes have to much information. Being able to decide what is useful and what is not can sometimes be overwhelming. When starting a new semester, I like to base my ideas about students on information I have learned first hand. IE everyone starts with a fresh slate. I do believe GHS has lots of student information available, which is a very valuable tool.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree about access to data. The ONLY way I have access to data about student achievement is to ask a teacher. While everyone is very nice about sharing data, it takes awhile. I would love to be able to know what individual students need BEFORE they come to the library for instruction. Even though I am a fully certified teacher with a master's degree, I am not allowed to access student data. It's a district decision, so I'm not blaming the GHS admin. It just is frustrating to me on lots of levels.
ReplyDeleteThe availability of data is very accessable here at GHS. I am able to view testing data on Testview and am able to access imortant data using PowerSchool. I am able to contact specific teachers directly, monitoring my students progress within their regular classes. I also receive valuable information regarding my students classroom behaviors via behavior monitoring checklists that each teacher completes for my students.
ReplyDeleteI use Testview, PowerSchool, and Excent to access student information. I access this information frequently and use the data to help with my instruction.
ReplyDeleteOur district and school do a very good job of giving teachers access to student information.
I agree that powerschool and testview are very helpful in accessing student data. If I understand correctly, most teachers have access to data for their students in their classes, but not in other classes that semester. I assume that guidance can access information on current status on a student in ALL classes at any given instant...or has access to that through Edlne. I think that cross data is sometimes very helpful..to see if a student is performing well or not well across the board, or in certain subjects.
ReplyDeleteI find such information extremely helpful for ESOL students. I can identify issues at interim or sooner and try to intervene early. Sometimes that has impact, sometimes not, but if it works, it can get a student back on track more quickly.
If we go to a mentoring system and each mentor has access to ALL grades in all classes, up to the minute, that may be helpful to many students.
Recently I found some interesting information on Testview and I questioned where it came from. While I am sure the data is helpful for most classes, I strain to make it applicable to what I am trying to teach. I did however find under a few students name a section that said "Artistically Gifted". These are students that I had not pegged as necessarily being in an artistically gifted category and I am wondering how this information was compiled. And how was it assessed? Looking at the data makes me more confused than enlightened, also because I don't think that looking at test scores is a true measure of a child's capabilities...oops I said it.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else, I use testview & powerschool to acquire information about my students. At the end of each nine weeks I examine each students scores in other classes, as well as, contacting other teachers & exchanging information. Student Services and teachers from previous years are sources of information.
ReplyDeleteStudent data is easily accessible at GHS. I use powerschool and testview to see how my students are performing. I also check with other teachers to see if they are just struggling in my class or in other classes as well. Guidance can also help me if its other information I need.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely have great access to student test data via TestView and PowerSchool. I also enjoy looking at the school's cumulative test data at the beginning of the school year to see where we have been and plan for the future. Performance data can be helpful at times, but it must also be interpreted cautiously. Not every student performs well on standardized tests. It is amazing to look at students 5 years after high school graduation and see how well their high school performance data reflects their post-secondary success.
ReplyDeleteI agree powerschool and test view are great resources. Just today I accessed power school to see how a studnet is currently doing in other class and last semester. I agree with Lisa more training on test view would be helpful. I was exposed to test view at in september but am not realy sure all that it can do. I have also found other teachers to be great resources in finding what has worked with students in the past.
ReplyDeleteI have accessed TestView in the past for information on studnet achievement but I find information from other teachers who teach the same students or have taught them in the past much more helpful when it comes to reaching individual students.
ReplyDeleteSuch information is plentiful. But I just don't know if data will be the great savior. TestView is good for checking overall scores on SAT or HSAP or things like that. It shows sort of roughly what kind of overall abilities--at least as measured on a single day--a student has. But then what? I'm often surprised when students do not live up to their TestView profile--either better or worse. PowerSchool might be a more immediate and relevant measure of what a student is like--but even so students often tell me their grades don't reflect their abilities (usually they admit to just blowing stuff off). I use both of these programs, and I agree with others about the importance of talking with fellow teachers. Their responses usually tell a more accurate picture (e.g. "She's smarter than she looks" or "He's smart but really lazy" or the like). So, if we put it all together (data and anecdotes) we can get a pretty accurate picture and prepare accordingly.
ReplyDeleteWe have easy access to a variety of data as related to student achievement. I use PowerSchool, Excent, and Testview. This information has been helpful in planning for instruction as well as preparing for annual IEP reviews.
ReplyDeleteI think we have access to plenty of student achievement data. Like everyone else, I use Powerschool and testview to aquire information about my students. I also talk with guidance and other teachers about concerns I have with students performance. Teachers have this information at their fingertips which makes getting the information about students a lot easier than it was in the past.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else. We have great access to student achievement data. I use powerschool and testview as well and gain valuable informtion about my students. If a student seems to struggle I can then talk with past teachers or guidance about how we can help bring the students learning level up. This is a great system to have and be able to know more about our students before they enter the classroom on the first day.
ReplyDeleteFor Co-ops, Interns, and Job Shadowing it is my responsibility to verify GPA, discipline, attendance, etc. for the students applications and acceptance into the programs. There are certain guidelines and requirements for participation, so it is extremely important for me to have this data. My access to data at GHS is right at my fingertips, so it makes my job very efficient. I use Power School, Power Teacher, and SC Pathways (Kuder) for most of my data collection.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe that data is easily accessible here at GHS. With the addition of TestView a few years ago I am now able to look up students previous grades, teachers, and test scores very convientely. It is great to be able to go in and see a students test scores before they ever enter my classroom so I can have some idea of their math skills. I also use PowerSchool to find information like grades from this school year and contact information guardians.
ReplyDeleteWe have access to lots of student information. The teacher gradebook has lots of demographic information about students and parents. We have Testview for tesing information. We have Power School for the major database. If a teacher does not have access to some of the information the school coulselors and staff will gladly help locate information. This information is easily accessed by the teacher. Teachers also collaborate to determine what is best for students. Teachers do not work in isolation but comunicate and help each other with students.
ReplyDeleteSince my first post did not show I will try again.
ReplyDeleteTeachers have access to Gradebooks with lots of demographic information about parents and students. They have academic testing information by using Testview. These data bases are current and updated daily. Power School is the Master database that has major school information. The guidance counselors and staff will share information gladly with teacher who dod not have access to this information. Teachers also share and collaborate with each other to determine what is best for students. We have accessible date at GHS and it is easy to use or help will be given to anyone who asks.
I agree with all of the comments. We are so fortunate to have Testview, which provides us with a tremendous amount of useful information. This resource gives teachers an opportunity to assess students’ educational history so that they can appropriately plan instruction. On the State Department of Education’s Website, we can also access data on standardized tests (i.e., SAT, ACT, EOCEP, and HSAP). This information helps the school’s Data Team to see if there are areas of improvement and to establish goals each year. Overall, we have a wealth of resources; we just need to make sure that we are using them to improve our operation.
ReplyDeleteI think at Gilbert data is very accessible-between TestView and the session at the beginning of school about HSAP, EOCEP, AP classes, SAT/ACT , CATE Completers and even 9th grade failures and on-time graduation, we have a pretty good snap shot of the students we serve and our school. Honestly it was not until preparing for National Boards that I really began thinking about how to apply this information. I use the TestView data, along with some data I collect specific to my course and students, to create the seating charts-pairing students for partner learning. The other information about test results for HSAP, EOCEP and even SAT/ACT I use to look critically at my instructional content and how I can modify it to support other academic areas. Finally, this semester, more than ever the Business teachers have been sharing and comparing results from assessments and discussing how we could make future adjustments.
ReplyDeleteStudent achievement data is easily accessible and openly shared. Testview and Powerschool offer information that can help give valuable background about student performance. Strengths and weaknesses can be examined and curriculum modified and adjusted accordingly. One area of concern is that student transcripts are not readily available on Powerschool-only current marking period and interim grades are visible, Sometimes it is important to see what previous classes and grades a student had when evaluating current progress. Perhaps a student is placed in a course and might not have the prerequisite ones completed or has struggled in a previous level. However, guidance counselors can provide this information as needed.
ReplyDeleteThe key with data is that it should not define a person. At times, students who score well on standardized tests may not complete work in class and have low grades in a course. On the other hand, there are students who do not score well on tests, but work very hard to learn and improve.
Finally, one area where data is used effectively is in the are of intervention. Close monitoring of at risk students is vital. These are the students that need our support the most and by letting them know that we are aware of their situations/difficulties, many of them can seek remediation/interventions to help them be successful.
I think that we have many opportunities access scores, tests, and other important info. Teaching art sometimes does not justify to know levels and test results. It is nice to have past history and grades from previous years to compare information.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the best resources we have to share student data is TestView. Here we are able to not only look up how a student did in a previous class, but we can also look up their standardized test scores. I find this resource very helpful especially as a math teacher because it is so important to know how well a child did in their previous math class.
ReplyDeleteAnother great resource for student data is PowerSchool. While this source only gives limited data on class grades, it is a great resource for demographic data on students. This type of data can be just as important to a teacher as scores and grades.
Data is easy to view on our students since we have access to Test View and PowerSchool. The information is up-to-date. It is also nice to have the grades they made in their previous courses as well as what they are currently making in their other classes. It also gives us some the demographics of each student.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we have easy access to data with Test View and PowerSchool. Because I teach students in each class with a wide range of abilities, I usually wait until the second or third week of school to look at test data and grades. This gives me time to get to know my students and see some of the their work. Many students who have poor test grades are successful in digital imaging.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments that we have access to wonderful data. Most of the teachers don't know how to use that data, however. By the time we gather, analyze and pinpoint the difficulties a semester is over. Sure, I can tell good readers from poor readers which is very important in Biology. I can also tell a lot from PLAN grades for my Seniors. I wish more analytical science tests were given to the Middle School students like PLAN.
ReplyDeleteStudent achievement data is easily accessible and shared at GHS. With Testview and PowerSchool teachers have access to standardized test scores, grades,and demographics. Also, many teachers use item analysis. In Algebra I, Part 1 we use item analysis on the final exam and then give this data to the Part 2 teacher at the beginning of the next semester. This really helps the Part 2 teacher know the strengths and weaknesses of their new students. Also, I find that talking to other teachers who have taught or who are teaching the same student can be useful.
ReplyDeleteI think we have access to plenty of student achievement data. Like everyone else, I use Powerschool and testview to aquire information about my students. I also talk with guidance and other teachers about concerns I have with students performance. Teachers have this information at their fingertips which makes getting the information about students a lot easier than it was in the past.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though we have access to a lot of data. Being able to access Testview is extremely helpful as well as being able to access my students MAP data after they take that assessment. I feel that for me personally the MAP data is extremely helpful because it is so specific about what areas of weakness my students have. This is very helpful in planning instruction for my students on the specific skills they need work on.
ReplyDeleteI find data on the school on EdLine and PowerTeacher—although the latter really is student data. I haven’t had occasion to share much in the way of data with others. I think that’s because I’m new and have so many other things to take care of. … In a way, I don’t want to see A LOT of student data. I don’t want to adapt others’ conceptions about how things work. I don’t want preconceived notions. But there are times it would help to KNOW WHAT I SHOULD KNOW. Sometimes I think that’s the biggest challenge for a new teacher: What should I know and whom would I ask?
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to using some common assessments, though. They'll help me find out who is strong (or weak) in what, and address it.
Data is easily shared.
ReplyDeleteTestview and powerschool are used to access data.
I use both Powerschool and Testview to access Student Data. I have found Powerschool beneficial in my student conferences. For example, I can look at how a student is performing in a specific class and target strengths and focus on areas that need improvement or an intervention.
ReplyDeleteAt GHS we are able to access Testview for standardized test scores to check writing, reading, and math achievement. Knowing how they have done on these tests gives some idea of how they may be successful on different assignments in my class or what the student's strengths or weaknesses might be. It can allow me to differentiate instruction and/or assessments as well. Additionally, I am able to access power school and see how a particular student is doing in his/her other classes. If I notice a downward trend, I can then contact parents or other teachers to uncover more information about the student and perhaps see if we need to create strategies to assist the student and ensure his/her success!
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ReplyDeleteWith TestView and PowerSchool, student data is only a click away. I am especially glad that the data is now available to us at home, too, as I use this often when I have a question about the types of questions to include on a review or an assessment or when deciding which ‘basic skills’ need to be reviewed in order to bring students to a point where they can succeed in grade-level work. At our school, we are encouraged and shown how to use the data to make curricular decisions that best facilitate student growth and achievement in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteStudents’ data is accessible through different resources – Test view to see standardized test scores. I check the test view to get a general idea about my students (their strong and weak areas, their growth from year to year).
ReplyDeletePower school provides access to students’ current progress in all currently taken classes. I like to see how my struggling students do in other classes to figure out the nature of the problem. It also gives us an access to students’ demographics, attendance and parents’ contact information.
One more try:
ReplyDeleteMJeffcoat said...We have access to data. It is easy to find if you have time to look. I liked the history of classes on the sasi last year better than the one that is on PowerTeacher. I would rather have some data on the science concepts that students have mastered from middle school, but the math and reading data do help understand a students general knowledge.
I use Testview. I need available and easioy retrievable information on student performance, especially when it comes to their potential in AP US History class.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the year, teachers can check TestView to see how the students did in the past on all tests they have taken. Powerschool offers information that can help give valuable background about student performance, as well as, grading information, absences, and discipline.
ReplyDeleteIs student achievement data easily accessible and openly shared at Gilbert High School?
ReplyDeleteYes, I use testview & powerschool to acquire information about my students.
Where do you access data about our school?
I mainly use Powerschool by cross checking grades that my students have with other teachers and try to get insight from the other instructors if a student is struggling in my class but excelling in another. HSAP and MAP scores are also a good indicator about a student's ability to do well on a 'standardized/multiple choice TEST' as opposed to free response questions and problems that are mainly used in math classes.
I access Testview and Powerschool. I like to look at PowerSchool to review grades in previous English classes, or if they have taken a world language class in the past. These help me see where students are with language development (both native and second-if they have experience). Testview also lets me review test scores on English standardized tests and gives me an idea as to how they may perform in a language class.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of some schools "posting" results in the teacher's lounge and highlighting students who didn't pass or teacher scores that were abnormally low. I believe we should have access, but if this is true it would be hard to not judge and hurt moral among the teachers. (just a side note)
1. I, too, agree with the previous posts. Nearly every adult in GHS has access to Test View, Power School, a variety of standardized tests. Access to performance information allows teachers to modify instruction based on the individual needs of our students
ReplyDeleteThe U.S. History teachers also use our Benchmark quizes to gain information about our students performance. We also analyze each question to make sure that we are explaining the material and to determine ways to improve our teaching.
To access data My first line of info gathering is Betty Epting and Student Services counselors. They are experts on data retreival and are always glad to help a teacher. The only data that is protected is Special Ed data that should be confidential. Mrs. Hedgecock and Mrs. Rojek are helpful in retrieving the Career data that is important to the CATE Dept.
ReplyDeleteLike alot of others have said I use Testview and Powerschool to gather information along with talking to teachers and guidance. I think that every teacher has enough access to student information which in return allows them to make judgements on what their students needs are.
ReplyDeleteHaving access to testview and powerschool gives up the information we need on each student. Plus there is always other teachers, past and present, that have had the student. Permanent records in guidance are also available to teachers. This information is helpful as we learn about our new students each semester.
ReplyDeleteI believe TestView and PowerSchool are both good tools. They help me to see at what level the students are when they get to my class as well as targeting those students who may need extra help. Like Wayland, I too remember having to go through guidance records every semester to copy test scores from student records
ReplyDeleteWow! I have never had the access to student data like I have had this year! With testview I can get all types of test scores from EOC to SAT/ACT. With powerschool I can get all of the current grades for a student. I have instant access and that is something that we haven't had before. I like being able to access students' current grades. This allows me to see how they are doing in other classes and compare that to the student's performance in my room. I think it allows me to have a better picture of what a student is (or isn't) doing!
ReplyDeleteWe have access to lost of data. Powerschool has been a great tool. Testview is always a good choice as well. I use Testview to see at what level the students are performing when it comes to reading and math skills. This enables me to group them so that weak and strong are mixed and balanced. This is very helpful during lab assignments because strong students can help keep weaker students on track with procedures for the labs.
ReplyDeleteI have access to tons of data thru Powerschool and Testview. I use this data to group stronger students with weaker ones initially in my classes for classwork.
ReplyDelete