October 2007

Focus on the Bubble Kids

The Bubble Kids are those on the edge of achieving proficiency—high Level 2 or low Level 3. Many teachers like to identify these students so that they can ensure that they reach proficiency. In order to find them you first have to identify the cut score in Reading (or Math) for the grade level. Follow this link to a table that shows the cut points for each grade.

For example, if the cut score is 300, do the following:

Click on the Queries button
Select the Roster Year and click on the Continue button
Click the Demographics link and on the Grade of Enrollment link
Select the desired Grade of Enrollment
Click the Add Criterion button
Click the Tests link
Click on desired Reading or Math test score
Click on the Scale Score link
Change the Minimum to 20 points below the cut score (i.e 280)
Change the Maximum to 10 points above the cut score (i.e. 310)
Click the Add Criterion button
Click on the Get Results button

Now, you can examine the scatterplot graphs for a more detailed view of your students. The scatterplot will clearly show you your Bubble Kids.

Helping an entire county

Gilchrist County is a small, rural district of four schools. For the past two years, the county has led student learning and achievement in the state of Florida, and been named the top rated district according to the Florida Department of Education. With the help of SP SnapShot™, Gilchrist County Schools have used data to drive instructional changes and provide a mechanism to focus on learning. Bell Elementary Principal Rick Reed shared with us his county's story.

"The Gilchrist County story has its beginnings like many other school districts, striving to meet state guidelines for high-stakes testing. After 1998, Gilchrist County became focused on student learning. The county appointed test coordinators to each school with the task of implementing a testing strategy to improve scores. This proved useful when two schools, Trenton High and Bell Elementary School earned 'A' grades in 2000. After 2002, when grades 3-10 were tested, Bell Elementary School attended data training with Julie Hansen. The data training was a precursor to the use of SnapShot. Principal Terry Owens and myself attended the first summer institute of the Council for Educational Change. Dr. John and Julie Hansen presented SP SnapShot™, the web-based data analysis program now so coveted in our county."

"In 1998, Gilchrist County began evaluating their instructional staff with a new instrument that paid bonuses to individual teachers based on their evaluation status. Categories of 'very effective' and 'outstanding' were awarded bonuses based on specific criteria that <were> observable to the administrator. They tweaked the evaluation instrument the following year to allow for a 'high effective' category with teachers given extra points for student learning gains. In 2006, they completely overhauled the evaluation instrument. 60 percent of a teacher's evaluation is based on student learning and reflected in test scores. Professional development, technology, and collaboration make up the other 40 percent. The University of Arkansas has been working with Gilchrist County to show the relationship between bonuses paid to our staff over the last ten years and student performance. The county recently shared this study with the Florida Department of Education."

"Longitudinal data has been useful in determining student trends and professional development for teachers. When teachers began digging in their data, they owned it and the data took on new meaning. Many teachers now beg to see the data and how their students have performed. This has elevated their teaching and expectations of their students. Teachers have access to the data through their desktop computer and training is available at anytime with many 'expert' teachers."

"SnapShot has allowed us not only to look at the FCAT and Stanford 10 data but to also seek interim progress monitoring interventions which will help us predict student outcomes on any testing program. SnapShot has given us the data driven instructional focus needed to lead the state of Florida for the past two years."

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.

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.