April 2009 | Snapshot Student Performance

April 2009

How Is Your School Trending?

 

Congratulations on getting through another FCAT! Hope your Spring Break was relaxing and that you’re feeling rejuvenated because now it’s time to start working on the school improvement process.

 
We recommend printing Trend Reports for Proficiency and Learning Gains (from the Reports feature) to get your school improvement analysis started. These reports allow you to analyze your grade levels in relation to your school grade cells.
 
A tutorial on how to create Trend Reports (in SnapShot 2.2) is available on the Help page in SnapShot.
 
Once you have your reports, ask yourself the following questions:
 
  • What is the contribution of each grade level to the school grade cell?
  • What is the trend for the past 3 to 5 years for each school grade cell?
 
If you also want to look at your low 25% aggregate, why not try the percentage query in the new SnapShot 3.0 beta version?
 
If you need any assistance with using data in your school improvement process, or running reports, sign up for the free April Data Chat Webinar with our Data Analysis Consultant, Michelle Gainer on April 14th. Information on how to register is located at the bottom of this newsletter. 

Loading FCAT Scores into SnapShot

  

Now that the FCAT testing is done we’re sure that you’re itching to get your hands on the results. The SnapShot Data Team loads the data into the system in the order that it is received. To ensure you have access to your data as soon as possible, have your MIS send it in as soon as the scores become available.
 
We recommend that they keep track of what has been sent, as the results are released in groups of tests, not all at once. For example, grade 3 FCAT scores are often available before grades 4 -10 FCAT scores. FCAT Writing + scores are often available earlier as well.
 
Important note
 
As soon as SnapShot receives any of the FCAT and/or Stanford test scores, the default date in all graphs, reports and queries will be preset to the new 2009 test year. FCAT and Stanford test scores are released at different times and MIS supplies the scores to us as they become available. If you make a request in SnapShot data that has not been updated, then you may receive a message that says “NO DATA: there is no data for the test and date you selected” or “Your query returned no students, please broaden your search”. You may contact your MIS to find out when the scores will be available and released to SnapShot.

Give SP SnapShot 3.0 Beta a Try

 
SP SnapShot 3.0 Beta is now live, complete with all your current data. Why not try out the new queries feature and let us know what you think?
 
To access SnapShot 3.0, click on the yellow 3.0 Beta link below the regular login form.
 
After you’ve given it a try, let us know what you think by completing a brief survey at http://budurl.com/snapshotbeta 

ARRA Title I Funding and SnapShot

 
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Title I schools in Florida will receive an estimated $492,535,227 to assist poor children with meeting state standards in core academic subjects.
 
Examples of potential uses of the Title I, Part A recovery funds that are allowable under Title I and consistent with ARRA principles:
 
  • Using longitudinal data systems to drive continuous improvement efforts focused on improving achievement in Title I schools;
  •  Providing professional development to teachers in Title I targeted assistance programs on the use of data to inform and improve instruction for Title I-eligible students;
 
 
A SnapShot subscription is a great way to meet the education reform that calls for data systems that track student progress over time, which increases transparency and improves student achievement.
 
Every school that subscribes to SnapShot is given free training through symposiums and online training.
 
For more information on Title I funds and your SP SnapShot subscription, please contact Joe Gainer at (850) 896-1611. 

How to Use Benchmarks

 
When looking at reporting category data in Reading, Math, and Science, do you ever wonder what the measure means? Looking at the content focus of each subscore area is a great way to understand this data. On the Help page in SnapShot you'll find documents that are a compilation of the FLDOE’s content focus release for 2004 – 2008. These are updated to allow you to look at what was tested so that you can properly analyze curriculum. You can see what has been tested over the past five years using these documents.
 
For Example:
 
After analyzing your school data you determine that the weak area in Reading is Comparisons. Now, find the content focus of comparisons for the past five years at each grade level in your school and determine when these concepts are taught in your curriculum, how they are taught and how often they are reinforced. This can be done by analyzing lesson plans along with teachers and looking at curriculum materials. When looking at curriculum materials you may also wish to consider the cognitive complexity of your curriculum. 

Carry Your Data With You Wherever You Go

 
With USB flash drives from Etraffic Press, you can proudly display your school logo on custom-branded USB flash drives. They are available in a credit card shape, in a carabiner clip, or the popular wristband style. Don’t forget to have your school’s logo put on them for a custom look.
 
  • Save money with educational pricing that cuts costs of storage supplies in half
  • Increase club revenues by selling USB wristbands as a fundraiser for team sports, student council, and grad activities
  • Get required student data storage devices custom branded to show your school spirit
  • Eliminate heavy backpacks for students by having courses pre-loaded onto USB Wristbands
  • Go green by reducing your school’s requirement for paper and printed resources
 
Minimum orders of 200 apply for custom branding. Order online today at www.etrafficusb.com or call Robert at 866-658-8238 ext. 33.

Free Monthly Online Training Sessions

 
Got questions about data? Don’t miss this month’s Data Chat Webinar, designed for current SnapShot users to ask their specific questions about data analysis and/or the SnapShot program. A SnapShot Trainer will be online to virtually walk users through each screen to show them exactly how to get the desired results.
 
The next scheduled Monthly Data Chat Webinar is:
 
  • Tuesday, April 14th at 9:00 am – 10:00 am EST
 
If you would like to attend the above session, please send an email to Christine Harrison at christine@studentperformance.com.
 
If there is a specific topic that you would like addressed, please reference that in your email along with the date that you would like to attend. Space is limited to ensure everyone’s concerns can be addressed within the one-hour timeframe, so book early to save your seat.

 
Need help learning SnapShot? Consult our online training center at www.studentperformance.com/trainingcenter and check out www.studentperformance.com/faq#4 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.