Dramatic Academic Growth
Students make dramatic levels of academic growth (that is measurable and rigorous). Families know the level of rigor necessary for college and career readiness in the 21st century.
Introduction
Dramatic academic growth is constituted by students that have improved through rigorous, targeted instruction. Academic growth can be categorized as quantitative and qualitative. Using both categories can be a great way to assess academic growth over a period of time.
Using quantifiable data can be a helpful measure of growth because it organizes aspects of academic gains as a physical representation such as numbers or graphs. My students participated in the i-Ready ® Diagnostic Assessment three times throughout the year. Using the results from the i-Ready assessment, I became more aware of the learning needs of all of my students. I used this information to differentiate instruction and form small groups to promote academic growth. I also share this data with the Education Associate, IEP chair, families and students to get them invested into the growth of the student.
Analyzing qualitative data happens weekly. I assess my students qualitatively through writing, specifically for opinionated essays. I usually give my students a writing activity at the beginning of the year and at the start of every unit. This allows my students plenty of time to grow within a writing standard. In addition, I provide a detailed writing rubric that acts as a guide and benchmark for academic growth. Below are links to the artifacts on instructions and data that reflects dramatic academic growth.
Phenomenal teaching happens when an instructor uses various forms of data to reflect and improve upon instruction. With the use of quantitative and qualitative evidence, I provided a unique learning experience that increased that data over time. With the i-Ready assessment and writing exercises, my students are well prepared for their next grade and beyond. Dramatic academic growth happened in my classroom through rigorous writing exercises and activities based on the i-Ready assessment.