Laura Snow SD Department of Education Office of Assessment and Technology Systems

What is Performance Series? Computer-adaptive test 4 subject areas: –Math –Reading –Language Arts –Science SD Standards –More accurate student placement –Diagnosis of instructional needs/adjustments –Measurement of student gains over time

The Bottom Line: Performance Series WHO: Content appropriate for students in grades 2-9 WHAT: Online, computer adaptive Reading, Language Arts, Math, and Science assessments WHEN: Anytime throughout the year WHERE: Available on any computer with an internet connection WHY: Provides timely data that is available immediately HOW: Via online assessments 3

What is Achievement Series? Design and deliver district and classroom tests Complete web-based system Content neutral – an “empty shell” that you fill Collaborative environment Multiple delivery methods Real-time results Standards-based User-defined access

How Achievement Series works Build Item Banks: Enter items or import current tests (optional). Develop Tests: District tests, School-wide or classroom tests/quizzes. Can be based upon state standards or local benchmarks. Administer Tests: Online testing or paper exams. View Reports: Immediate results online of student scores, detailed item & standards analysis.

Accessibility Students can log on at any time, and from any place, to take a test Teachers can log on at any time, and from any place, to view test results »All you need is an internet connection!

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The computer locks up or kicks them off. To avoid this problem, talk with your networking specialist and make sure you have plenty of memory/power/capabilities Pop-Up Blockers MUST BE TURNED OFF or DISABLED Message appears that says the test has been spoiled. If students answer questions too quickly (guessing), the program will automatically spoil the test. The location controller or teacher can also spoil a test if a student is caught cheating or otherwise not taking the test as required. Problems students may encounter when taking a PS test:

Performance Series Scores Scaled Score –Value range of –Determine a student’s expected level of performance within a subject area –Track Progress over time (fall/spring) Placement Indicators

Scaled Score Scaled Score = Student to Content

Standard Item Pool: SIP Probability of a student correctly answering each item within the item pool for his grade level Used with Scaled Score to determine growth Not comparable over time.

National Percentile Rank: NPR –Compares student to members of the PS Norm Sample Group within the same grade level –Data is not related to state standards and is not comparable over time –Student score is above listed of peers in the national norm group –Difference between fall and spring testing -Judge knowledge ‘gained’ within one year -Compare group/class growth within a district Gains

Accessing Data in Performance Series Log in using the Staff Login area –Site ID: –Staff ID: –Password: –Go to the Tab marked Classroom From the drop-down box, choose the classroom that you want to view. Then click on the Tab marked Performance Diagnostic Choose a subject from the list on the left hand side of the window

Next choose a unit from within that subject –In this window you will get a list of your students and how they did on the unit of the subject. On the right hand side you will see a list of all the objectives that your class saw. This does not mean that all of your students saw all of these objectives, though. It does mean that all together the class saw these objectives. The objectives are aligned to SD Standards. Under the heading attained and next to the objective, you can click on the student icon to see which students attained that objective. If you click on the crosshairs icon you can create a worksheet (test) for your class based on that objective.

- If you click on the student’s name on this page You can see how the student scored in all units of this subject. From here you can also see other student scores in other subjects. - You can click on Suggested Learning Objectives and create an individual worksheet designed just for this student. This page can also be printed to show parents. - Click on test sessions: to view date, time, and duration of the test. You can also go in and spoil a test if needed. (Spoiling is done when different situations/circumstances inhibit the student to complete the test in a ‘normal’ situation.)

Targeted Instruction We can determine, from looking at the data, which area(s) the student needs to work on. Using this data is how we can target and improve instruction to best meet the needs of the students. –Suggested Learning Objectives –Targeted Instruction Create test or study guide

Transition… How does Achievement Series tie into the big assessment picture?

Achievement Series Student achievement Targeted instruction Summative Assessments Content Standards ‘Next Steps’ –Determine low/high areas from PS tests –Determine strong/weak areas from D-Step

Logging In For Teachers: Site ID Staff ID Password For Students: Site ID Test ID

Building Item Banks Create your own items Publish item banks from ExamView Use items from purchased item banks –Scantron –ExamView Learning Series Collaborate with others Track item statistics One central location Multiple item types

Develop Tests Create district/school or classroom tests Search item banks by multiple criteria, including standards Enter just an answer key (AKO) if test booklets are already available Publish tests from ExamView Test security –Versions –Restricted Mode

Administer Tests 2 delivery methods Flexible options to meet your needs Mix & match methods as desired

Accessing AS Data Classroom Tests –Deleted each year from the system District Tests –Archived each year Classroom or District Gradebook –A+ will show the class scores –Standards –Item Analysis –Responses

View Reports Available immediately View standards- based data Aggregate & disaggregate data by student, class, school, & district Analyze data by subgroups Enable better decision-making

Access Instructional Resources “I have the data. Now what?” Link to optional standards-based resources Access follow-up tests, study guides, assignments, etc. Use Skills Connection Online

HELP? Laura Snow Office of Assessment and Technology Systems