OVERVIEW of
ASSESSMENTS,
RESULTS, and
IMPLICATIONS
2010-2011
The District’s Philosophy on
Standardized Testing
• Standardized tests are one data point
used to quantify student achievement
• Results need to be used to inform
instruction in order to be meaningful and
efficient
• We should not teach to the test or spend
significant classroom time preparing for
standardized assessments
The District’s Philosophy on
Assessment
• Several data points must be used in an
effort to quantify student achievement
• Assessments need to be evaluated on a
regular basis
• Assessments should be formative and
summative
• Assessment serves to enhance and
facilitate instruction, not vice versa
What assessments are
used in the District?
• Standardized Assessments
–
–
–
–
NJASK (Grades 3-8)
ERB Writing Exam (Grade 8)
Algebra 1 (Grade 8)
inView (Grades 3 & 5)
• Formative Assessments
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Language Arts Assessments (2011)
Words their Way Spelling Inventory (K-5/2011)
Timed Writing Prompts (2-8/2010)
AIMS Web (K-1/2009)
Rubrics (i.e. writing, projects)
Teacher Conference Notes
Pre-testing/Post-testing
Classroom tests, quizzes and observations
Making the Grade…..
• Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
- 95 percent of students must take test
- Sub-groups must meet state benchmarks
*Economically disadvantaged students
*Major racial/ethnic categories (Asian, White, etc.)
*Students with Disabilities
*Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
- All of River Vale’s sub-groups achieved AYP status or
were in “safe-harbor” except one (HMS/Special
Education)
* Safe-harbor is the status given to schools that are
statistically improving, but not yet at state
benchmarks
When comparing assessment data
with criterion referenced tests….
• District Factor Groups (DFG)
- Established by the NJDOE and ranks the
socio-economic status of communities across
the state
- Districts range from A-J
- River Vale is an “I” district
- Other “I” districts include: Closter, Cresskill, Demarest,
Franklin Lakes, Haworth, Old Tappan, Ramsey, River Edge, Tenafly
and Wyckoff
NJASK - Grades 3, 4 and 5
Language Arts Literacy
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
Adv. Prof.
50%
Proficient
Part. Prof.
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
River Vale
DFG
State
River Vale
Grade 3
DFG
State
River Vale
Grade 4
DFG
State
Grade 5
Adv. Prof.
68.1
54.2
7.2
39.6
46.4
32.1
55.6
56.8
39.5
Proficient
28.2
36.7
55.8
50.9
44.3
47.2
37
35.1
41.1
Part. Prof.
3.7
9.1
37
9.4
9.3
20.7
7.4
8.1
19.4
NJASK - Grades 3, 4 and 5
Math
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
Adv. Prof.
Proficient
Part. Prof.
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
River Vale
DFG
State
River Vale
Grade 3
DFG
State
River Vale
Grade 4
DFG
State
Grade 5
Adv. Prof.
68.1
54.2
7.2
39.6
46.4
32.1
55.6
56.8
39.5
Proficient
28.2
36.7
55.8
50.9
44.3
Part. Prof.
3.7
9.1
37
9.4
9.3
47.2
37
35.1
41.1
20.7
7.4
8.1
19.4
NJASK -Grades 6, 7 and 8
Language Arts Literacy
100%
80%
60%
Adv. Prof.
Proficient
Part. Prof.
40%
20%
0%
River Vale
DFG
State
River Vale
Grade 6
DFG
State
River Vale
Grade 7
DFG
State
Grade 8
Adv. Prof.
8.1
13.4
7.3
19.7
22.7
12.3
23.4
34.1
Proficient
74.4
69.2
59.4
62.4
59.6
51
72.7
59.7
19.1
63
Part. Prof.
17.5
17.5
33.3
17.8
17.7
36.7
3.9
6.2
17.8
NJASK - Grades 6, 7 and 8
Math
100%
80%
60%
Adv. Prof.
Proficient
Part. Prof.
40%
20%
0%
River Vale
DFG
State
River Vale
Grade 6
DFG
State
River Vale
Grade 7
DFG
State
Grade 8
Adv. Prof.
34.6
41.9
27.6
42
38.9
24.3
22.7
46.9
30.4
Proficient
54.7
47.9
49.8
39.5
43.7
41.4
41.3
39.5
41.1
Part. Prof.
10.7
10.2
22.7
18.5
17.4
34.3
9.7
13.7
28.5
NJASK - Grades 4 and 8
Science
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
Adv. Prof.
50%
Proficient
Part. Prof.
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
River Vale
DFG
State
River Vale
Grade 4
DFG
State
Grade 8
Adv. Prof.
66
64.9
47.7
49
46.8
29.3
Proficient
33.3
32
42.3
45.2
46.6
51.9
Part. Prof.
0.6
3.1
10
5.8
6.6
18.8
Based on the Results
What works?
• Learning is supported
by the District’s
curriculum
• The standards are
infused into the
District’s curriculum
• When you look at all the
data, RV is doing a very
good job
Where do we need to
enhancements?
• Authentic writing
experiences in all subject
areas – Write! Write!
Write!
• Increase the reading
stamina of our students
• Increase usage of NJASK
verbiage in our own tests
and quizzes
Recommendations/Conclusions
• Patience and determination to stay on track with
comprehensive K-8 LAL overhaul
• Staff development in Mathematics to support
new standards
• Examine the relationship between grades and
test scores
• Work on increasing open-ended questions and
Constructed Response questions in all subjects
• Refer to Building Specific Plans