Monarch High School
CPS Data and Analysis
2004-2005 Tech Grant
Problem: Does the Einstruction Classroom Performance System help Boulder Valley
Students at Monarch High School enrolled in Physical Science, Biology and Advanced
Placement courses retain information and score better on exams?
Procedure: Ninth Grade Physical Science classes, tenth Grade Biology classes, and
Advanced Placement Biology classes used the CPS system for pre-tests, during lecture,
review and post-tests. Due to a computer crash, only the last unit and final exam data
was retrievable for the ninth grade level Physical Science classes.
Results:
Table 1: The following table is a summary of the data collected for the 2004-2005 school
year.
Class
Biology
Topic
Biochemistry and Cells
Biology
Biology
Cell Processes (mitosis,
transport systems, and
protein synthesis)
Pathogens (immune system,
viruses, bacteria, fungi, and
protists)
First Semester Final
Biology
Anatomy and Physiology
Biology
Genetics
Biology
Average Score
1. Pre-Quiz: 70% (64%
for SPED team
taught class)
2. Quiz: 83%
3. Post-test: 73%
1. Pre-test: 48%
2. Post-test: 77%
1. Pre-test: 55%
2. Post-test: 85%
1. Review: 66% (55%
for SPED team
taught class)
2. Final Exam: 83%
1. Digestion Pre-Quiz:
69%
2. Digestion Quiz:
78%
3. A&P Post Test: 76%
1. Pre-quiz: 40%
2. Genetics Quiz: 68%
Class
Biology
Topic
Second Semester Final
AP Biology
Biochemistry and Cells
AP Biology
AP Biology
Metabolism (Photosynthesis
and Cellular Respiration)
First Semester Final
AP Biology
Genetics
AP Biology
Evolution
AP Biology
Second Semester Final
Physical Science
Chapter 10: Heat and
Temperature (on same 7
questions)
Second Semester Final
Physical Science
Average Score
1. Review: 62%
2. Final Exam: 75%
1. Pre-test: 28%
2. Post-test: 91%
1. Pre-test: 40%
2. Post-test: 67%
1. Review (after 1
week of working on
take-home review
sheet): 70%
2. Final Exam: 71%
1. Pre-test: 64%
2. Quiz: 76%
3. Post-test: 81%
1. Lecture review: 71%
2. Post-test: 75%
1. First Review (after 2
weeks of working
with review
worksheet): 77%
2. Second Review:
83%
3. Final Exam: 86%
1. Pre-test: 65%
2. Post-test: 78%
3. Final Exam: 79.5%
1. Final Exam: 67%
Table 2: The following table is a comparison of results based on the previous school
year (2003-2004) with no access to the Classroom Performance system.
Class
Topic
Biology
Biology
Biology
Biology
Biology
Biology
Biochemistry and Cells
Cell Processes
Pathogens
Genetics
Anatomy and Physiology
Semester Finals
AP Biology
AP Biology
AP Biology
AP Biology
Biochemistry and Cells
Metabolism
Genetics
Evolution
AP Biology
Semester Finals
Average Score
Post-test: 72%
Post-test: 69%
Post-test: 80%
Post-test: 65%
Post-test: 74%
1. First Semester: 61%
2. Second Semester:
71%
Post-test: 81%
Post-test: 65%
Post-test: 78%
Post-test: 71%
1.
2.
First Semester: 80%
Second Semester: 74%
Conclusion: The use of the Classroom Performance System did help Boulder Valley
Students enrolled in Monarch High School’s Physical Science, Biology and Advanced
Placement Biology courses (2004-2005 school year) to retain information and score
better on exams as compared with students enrolled in the same courses the previous
year. The data shows a significant gain in the class averages from the pre-test to the posttest. In addition to higher test scores, students were more motivated to pay attention and
participate during class. Special Education students and Second Language qualified
students showed the largest gains because they had an opportunity to “practice” applying
their knowledge during lectures and reviews. Additionally, Advanced Placement
students were also able to “practice” applying their knowledge, and, hopefully this will
show up in increased AP test scores. In conclusion, Monarch High School would like
instructors to continue to be trained in the use of the Classroom Performance System and
we would like to incorporate the use of more “higher-level, critical thinking” questions
and perfect our ability to use the system during lectures, demonstrations, reviews and
exams.