MCAS Data Investigation Activity Ideas

Last week I posted information about an activity focused on the exploration of classroom growth data through the paper-and-pencil creation of a scatter plot of growth and scaled score for a given instructional group. One colleague asked me, "I wonder if people will be able to see how cool the activity is just by reading about it...or maybe it's only people like us who get excited by scatterplots??"

So, I'm posting this follow-up because I bet there are folks out there who missed the post last week, but I know you'll agree that the activity is worth investigating! Hope you'll check it out once you come up for air during this busy time of year. I also wanted to link back to some previous years' blog posts with additional MCAS data investigation activities...some ideas for digging in to the data during fall staff meetings or PLC's!

• Exploring Classroom Growth Data (August 2012)
• MCAS Item Analysis and the Standards for Mathematical Practice (August 2011)
• Engaging Staff in MCAS Data Exploration (September 2010)

Happy first days of school!

A New Spin on Item Analysis

I'm guessing that most readers of this blog have taken part in traditional "item analysis" activities using MCAS item reports and a packet of released test items. The Standards for Mathematical Practice (page 15 in the new Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for Mathematics document) provide an opportunity make connections with these process standards (such as, "Attend to precision" or "Look for and make use of structure") to this traditional type of data analysis.

Our regional Math Specialist, Madeline Roy, and I have documented some ideas for an activity (piloted this summer) to engage staff in exploring MCAS test item data while making connections to the Standards for Mathematical Practice. More information can be found in Facilitator's Notes and Recording Sheet documents which we have put together for your use. As always, we look forward to your feedback!

In addition, I'm sharing a link back to a post from fall 2010 entitled "Engaging Staff in MCAS Data Exploration" with additional ideas for sharing MCAS data with staff.

Best wishes to you all for a smooth start to the school year!