Unlocking Student Success: Correlation of Grades to Summative Assessments
Returning to the office after a weekend can be daunting, yet it’s a fresh start filled with new ideas. Today, during my commute, I noticed teenagers, usually carefree, now tense as they discussed the upcoming SAT exam this month. This scene made me ponder why they experience heightened anxiety despite exams and coaching. Are current school methods falling short? Is there a gap in their preparation? How do we ensure students not only navigate exams but also gain a deeper understanding of subjects?
A potential solution is data-informed decision-making. How can we leverage data to address educational system shortcomings and gain insights into students’ experiences? Adopting a data-informed approach may reshape our education system.
Analyzing correlations between high school grades of an esteemed public K-12 school district in Rhode Island and test scores (PSAT, SAT, RICAS/MCAS) over five years, Assure’s District 360 enables school leadership team with:
· Analyzing Correlations: Investigate how student grades in Math and English relate to assessments and visualize these connections.
· Identifying Trends: Analyze grades alongside assessment scores to spot performance trends.
· Uncovering Patterns: Look for patterns in student and teacher performance and discuss findings to enhance the curriculum.
Here’s how we implemented the goals:
· A comprehensive analysis was conducted to visually determine correlations between student grades in Math and English and each summative assessment. Data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) was used for RICAS and MCAS, while SAT and PSAT scores were obtained through Aspen SIS.
· The district management team thoroughly reviewed student grades in relation to assessment scores, engaging in discussions about correlations and exploring possible reasons for disparities:
o RICAS vs. MCAS correlations were examined, considering test content/format differences, curriculum alignment variances, and demographic factors.
o PSAT vs. SAT correlations with MCAS were scrutinized, exploring factors such as timing/familiarity, test-taking strategies, and student engagement.
o Disparities in Math vs. English scores were investigated, considering aptitude/interest differences, teaching effectiveness, individual strengths/weaknesses, and grading criteria/format variances.
· Utilizing District360’s robust data mining and real-time capabilities, the district management team analyzed correlations between student grades and assessment scores across various filters, including gender, race, key courses (e.g., Algebra I and II), and course by teacher on Qlik sense. Discussions focused on equity-related correlations requiring attention and course/teacher relationships showcasing student performance success.
· Correlation findings and related discussions were meticulously documented. Multiple curriculum improvements were identified, with follow-up assignments made for further analysis and promotion.
Results:
· The District Management Team witnessed correlation analysis as a powerful tool for becoming better data informed.
· The District Management Team committed to an ongoing use of District360 correlation analysis visualizations for summative assessment score improvements.
· Correlation scores filtered by teacher identified candidates for “mentor teachers”.
· Meaningful discussion and insight into future curriculum development and improvement were explored.
Solution:
Assure eServices implemented a solution on the Qlik Sense platform with an automated data collection process to retrieve and manage Student data from the Aspen Student Information System, a cloud instance for the school district. Qlik Sense data model combines SIS data with other sources from in-school databases, DESE data, and from excel files to support the data analysis and findings through visualizations.
