Dalton Middle School Data Review Spring 2017 Sheree McEntire

Purpose Overview of DMS Changing Population Georgia Milestones Scores Strengths/Weaknesses What steps are we taking to improve? First, we will look at an overview of Dalton Middle School. We will focus on enrollment trends and the population for the past three years. We will also investigate Georgia Milestones standardized testing scores and see the percentages of students scored at or above proficiency in each subject in grades 6-8 for three years, and see what the strengths and weaknesses are for our school. We will look at the strand data for 6th grade English Language Arts and determine ways to make improvements in student achievement.

Student Enrollment 2013-2016 In 2013, the number of students enrolled at Dalton Middle School was 1678 and has grown to 1762 in 2016. We have grown by almost 200 students in the past three years and continue to receive new students every day.

Overview of DMS Title 1 School Only middle school in Dalton Public Schools Six elementary feeder schools Free/Reduced Lunch qualifiers-Over 80% Dalton Middle School serves over 1700 students in 6th through 8th grade and is the sole middle school in Dalton, GA. It is a Title 1 school with over 80% of the population qualifying for free and reduced lunch. With such diverse populations, DMS has a wide array of data to analyze.

2016 Student Population In 2016, our population consisted of 70% Hispanic ethnicity, 20% White/Non-Hispanics, 5% African Americans, and 5% of students that identified themselves in the Other category.

2016 Gender Comparison For 2016, our population was 49% female and 51% male.

Georgia Milestones Georgia Milestones is a standardized test taken at the end of each grade to measure how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Our students in grades 6-8 take the state-issued Georgia Milestones, which is a standardized test issued at the end of each grade to measure how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in English Language Arts, mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

Georgia Milestones Scoring Rubric How are these tests scored? Beginning Learner: These students need substantial academic support to be prepared for the next grade. (When these assessments are used to determine promotion, students in this level will not be promoted to the next grade.) Developing Learner: These students need additional academic support to ensure success in the next grade. The Milestones are scored by placing students in four categories. Beginning learners are those that need substantial academic support to be prepared for the next grade. If these assessments are used to determine promotion, students at this level will not be promoted on to the next grade. Developing learners are those students that need additional academic support to ensure success in the next grade.

Georgia Milestones Scoring Continued Proficient Learner: These students are prepared for the next grade level and are considered to be on track for college and career readiness. Distinguished Learner: These students are well‐prepared for the next grade level and are well‐prepared for college and career readiness. Our main goals are to have students in the at or above Proficiency level. Proficient learners are prepared for the next grade level and are considered to be on track for college and career readiness. Distinguished learners are students who are well-prepared for the next grade level and are well-prepared for college and career readiness.

ELA Achievement Data (Overall) When discussing overall achievement of the school, it is important to mention that scores are a small bit skewed due to several 8th graders taking EOCs for high school credit. Overall, DMS scored slightly lower each year than the state averages. Where do you see our smallest gap? We were almost directly aligned in 2013 with statewide scores! Where is our largest gap? We are the furthest from statewide scores in 2015. Since Milestones is new, the 60% decrease in scores from 2013 to 2014 was not as surprising to us, since it correlated with statewide decreases and was a different kind of test.

2016 Milestones Comparison 6th Grade Percentages At/Above Proficiency

ELA 6th Grade Milestones Scores for English Language Learners (Years 2-3)

2016 GA Milestones Comparison At/Above Proficiency 7th Grade

2016 GA Milestones Comparison At/Above Proficiency 8th Grade

Milestones Positive Observations for ELA: We are only three points away from the state average percentage of proficiency for 6th grade ELA. We are only five points away from the state average of proficiency for 7th grade Social Studies. We are only 14 points away from the state average of proficiency for 8th grade ELA.

What can we improve on? Let’s close the GAPS and add more proficient and distinguished learners in the English Language Learners subgroup. We are working to close the ELA gap in 6th grade between DMS and the state scores. Steps being taken: Add-on Literacy Classes Extra ESOL Teacher added for 8th grade Parent Classes added for support at home 1:1 Devices Use of IXL, Study Island, Readtheory, and Fast Forword in Literacy Classes

Data Overview Our population has grown by approximately 200 students since 2013. Our population of Hispanic students is our largest group, hence the need for ESOL add- ons. How else can we improve instruction for our students?