Statewide results of the Smarter Balanced tests were released Wednesday. Yesterday the San Diego Union Tribune published an article showing countywide results in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. In Sweetwater, all 7th, 8th, and 11th graders were administered this new assessment based on our more rigorous standards. The goal of these new standards and the tests that assess whether students are learning them is to help all students graduate with the problem solving and critical thinking skills needed to be ready for college and a 21st century career.
Our data showed that when we compare our 11th grade ELA results with the state results, 58% (above the state average of 56%) of our students scored “met or exceeded the standards.” Forty percent of our 8th graders met or exceeded standards compared to a statewide average of 45% and 42% of our 7th graders met or exceeded standards compared to 44% statewide. In math, our results were 1-5% lower than the state average across all grade levels. What are our next steps based on these results? Because these are overall results, our first step is to drill down and get more details.
For example, the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA are organized by four areas or claims: reading, writing, listening and research/inquiry. We will analyze those claims to determine areas of strength and areas for growth for our students by grade level, by site and by demographics. We will use a similar approach to analyze the three math claims: concepts & procedures, problem solving & modeling/data analysis and communicating reasoning. Once we understand our strengths and areas for growth by site, by grade level and demographics, this information informs our professional development for teachers.
Then, in PLCs teachers will use what they learned in PD to collaborate on lesson plans that will support more students achieving mastery through quality first instruction. Once we disaggregate all scores, we will share what we learned. Teaching and learning around our new CA Standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards are a work in progress. I want to emphasize that the answers we need to improve student learning is within our district walls! Together we can make progress and help all students graduate college and career ready!
At the Welcome Back Rally, we distributed the blue cards asking for ways that I can help staff put student success first. We gathered approximately 600 cards. Thank you to every employee who took the time to make a comment. I truly appreciate each and every word. I told everyone I would share the results by theme so here they are:
- Curriculum and instruction issues (direct quotes)
- “Emphasis on first/initial quality of instruction in the classroom instead of emphasis on interventions after the fact”
- “Clarify SEI placement…”
- “Rebuild ELD/Bilingual program”
- “Lower co-teach numbers”
- “Textbooks/curriculum for English and ELD”
- Facility needs
- “Examine disparities in facilities/resources from school to school”
- “ Develop and carry out a plan to equitably apply the remainder of Prop O money…”
- “Make it a priority not to have teachers traveling”
- Culture
- “Disassemble the culture of fear and cronyism…”
- “Help put a spotlight on teachers doing good”
- “Trust teachers to know what works for kids”
- “Student and teachers voices matter”
- “Foster ethical leadership, inclusivity, and equity for employees and students”
- Program and classroom needs
- “We need more science lab equipment…”
- “Provide materials needed to teach students”
- “We need money for supplies to implement IM curriculum”
- “ Is it possible to return a portion of the budget that was cut over the last 5-7 years?
- Professional development and staff support
- “Give teachers time to work in their PLCs so they can develop lessons for students ”
- “ More training in lesson planning and strategies”
- “Support teachers with PD that’s relevant and meaningful”
- “Effective PD for administrators”
- “Spend some time and attention to the classified all over the district”
- Again, thank you all for your comments. We hope district staff recognize we are already acting on some of your recommendations.
Finally, I do believe that none of us is as smart as all of us and none of us can do our work effectively alone. With that thought in mind I want to share something from a very good friend of mine and a very good friend of our district…this is someone who is also a retiree from our district and an alumni of SUHI…her name is Antonia Terrazas, also known as Toni.
Here is a Native American blessing she shared with me and I now share with all of you. It is entitled,
“The Lakota Way – Instructions for Living”
Passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman
Friend, do it this way – that is whatever you do in life,
Do it the best way you can with both your heart and mind.
And if you do it that way, the Power of the Universe will come to your assistance, if your heart and mind are in Unity.
When one sits in the Hoop of the People,
One must be responsible because all of creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do affects every thing in the Universe.
If you do it that way – that is, if you truly join your heart and mind as One – whatever you ask for,
That’s the way it’s going to be.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve and support you!
Sincerely,
Karen Janney, Ed.D.