February 2008

Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day

Increasing SnapShot's Performance

We have just completed a SnapShot system upgrade, implementing two new servers in Florida. We have also updated our code to improve our efficiency. With this upgrade you will notice:

Faster queries
Faster navigation
Bar graphs and scatter plot links are now highlighted tabs
User Manager links are now highlighted tabs
More help with the Export feature
A new location for "View all students" table

Teacher Essentials Lesson on Standardized Tests

Check out this month's free professional learning lesson on standardized tests from Teacher Essentials. Click here

Every month we would like to recognize a school in the SnapShot bulletin. Have your story featured and we will give your staff one free month of Teacher Essentials lesson modules. Contact us at 1-866-479-7627 to share your story.

FTE Reminder

FTE refers to full time equivalent. There are surveys done during different times of the year to determine the student population (including ESE and LEP students) within each district for funding. FTE Staff & Student surveys are being carried out the week of February 4-8, 2008.

Identifying Your Lowest 25%

Most schools focus on the lowest 25%. We recommend that you look at the lowest 30% just to be careful. Here's an activity to help you find the lowest 30%.

Initial set up; Finding the number of students

Log on with either School Administrator or Counselor access
Click Queries button
Select the current year and click Continue
Click Demographics link, select Grade of Test and then click the box next to the grade
Click Add Criterion button
Click Tests link, select FCAT SSS Math, and then click the Dev Scale link
Click Add Criterion button
Click Get Results button
On the Data Display screen, note the total number of students listed

Identifying the lowest 25 (make that 30) percent

Now that you have the total number of students, multiply that number by 30 percent
Click the school year hyperlink under the Dev Scale heading. The scores will sort from lowest to highest
Beginning with the lowest scale score in the column, count through the students until you have identified the number of students you calculated in step 1. Find the scale score for that student at the 30 percent spot: _____
Click the Queries button
Click Edit link next to the “FCAT SSS Math: Dev Scale between …”
Change the maximum score to the score identified in step 3 and then click the Save Changes button
Click Get Results button
You now have the list of the lowest 30 percent in the selected grade

Some of these students were retained at that grade level for the current roster year; others are in the next grade level for the current roster year. Repeat the above for each of the other grade level groups at your school level. Review the list after October 1st for students who are transferred in or out.

Need help learning SnapShot? Consult our online training resources at www.studentperformance.com/training.html and check out www.studentperformance.com/using.html for tips on how to enhance your SnapShot experience. Remember that on-site and web-based training is available to your school. Call 1.866.479.7627 to learn more information.