This and That:

• I want to use this first bullet to thank you for the leadership you provide at your building.  After a break, during the winter months and what is often the time of year when we (ourselves… and our staff) do not possess the same positive outlook that we possessed four months ago.  There is no doubt that these are the days/weeks when keeping ourselves and others positive is more of a challenge.  So, thank you for your leadership to know what you need and what your staff needs in order to still see the good in those we have the privilege to work with.
• Following is some information regarding student growth percentiles (SGPs) and median student growth percentiles (median SGPs).  This data was included as part of our school’s annual state Report Card information.  A very appropriate question to ask (or that may be asked of you) has to do with: “How can our student SBAC scores be compared to last year’s OAKS scores in reading and math – they are totally different types of assessments?”  And, indeed, they are.  This is where SGPs and median SGPs come in.  First, here are our district, by school, median SGPs in ELA and math for 2014-15.  Next, there is some additional information regarding how SGPs are determined and what is the difference between these two growth percentiles.

  Overview of Student Growth Percentiles

  Student Growth Percentiles are based on the statewide model for student growth. Oregon’s Growth Model measures year-to-year progress of students on the statewide assessments. The model has been in place since 2012 and is used in the annual Report Card ratings for districts and schools.

  § Student Growth Percentiles measure growth for individual students by comparing the improvement in his or her achievement on Smarter Balanced to that of his or her “academic peers” (i.e. those who have similar historical assessment results).

  § Median Student Growth Percentile represents the exact middle of the Student Growth Percentile scores for the educator’s students. In other words, half of the educator’s students performed above or below the median score.

  This video is from Washington state, but it came from a document issued by ODE and the explanation also applies to Oregon.  I believe it does a pretty nice job of explaining these two types of growth percentiles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e_j9QwjVWk

Reminders:

• The next district SIW will be January 20.  ELA, math, science and ELL teachers will all be meeting at various locations on this day.  There is an updated District SIW calendar available here, or can be found within the TRIBE Documents shortcut on the main page.
  • ELA – IBD @ Ed Center, room 314; StudySync @ CMS; Units of Study @ HDMS media center [You and your ELA teachers received an email from Jana with direction on which location to attend]
  • math – PCMS @ 1:45 [More to come on this… including grade-level groups and some needed prior preparation for math teachers to complete prior to the 20th.]
  • science – Bend High @ 1:45
  • ELL – Ed Center, room 230 @ 1:30