Strategies for Improvement on Ohio’s State Tests

Methods of Analysis State Performance Analysis A Word of Caution Extended-Response Rubrics and Strategies Supportive Classroom Practices Overview

Methods of Analysis

State Performance Analysis

A Word of Caution

Extended-Response Rubrics and Strategies

Supportive Classroom Practices

Step-by-Step Item Analysis

Access the Student Success Web site. Select tests you wish to study. Select testing date, grade and subject you would like to view. 2. In the upper left, click “Analyze Items on Test” link.

Access the Student Success Web site.

Select tests you wish to study.

Select testing date, grade and subject you would like to view.

This page shows released questions in groups by question type. How students answered each question. Average percent correct for each question by school, district and state. Print page and leave web site open for later.

This page shows released questions in groups by question type.

How students answered each question.

Print page and leave web site open for later.

Look through percent correct averages and identify items as strengths and weaknesses. Mark above and below average questions. For the averages of different question types, refer to handout. Go back to the web site and click the item number next to each question you identified.

Look through percent correct averages and identify items as strengths and weaknesses. Mark above and below average questions.

For the averages of different question types, refer to handout.

Go back to the web site and click the item number next to each question you identified.

In the question window, you can see each question and answer options available. Look above and below question for more information needed.

In the question window, you can see each question and answer options available.

Look above and below question for more information needed.

Note the content theme of the question and the specific material covered. Include any other clue words or comments that are important to the question. Organize written comments in “above average” and “below average” groups. For Example :

Note the content theme of the question and the specific material covered.

Include any other clue words or comments that are important to the question.

Organize written comments in “above average” and “below average” groups.

Look at the list of comments for any trends. Does a strong area emerge? Are there any topics that score below state the average? Dig Deeper: If topics end up in both the above average and below average lists, look closer at the questions.

Look at the list of comments for any trends.

Does a strong area emerge?

Are there any topics that score below state the average?

Dig Deeper:

If topics end up in both the above average and below average lists, look closer at the questions.

Is it Really a Strength or Weakness?

This method uses comparisons with the state to judge students’ performance. The school could outperform the state average on a question, but score poorly. To find objective trends, also look at the expectations of the standard. How strong are your strengths? How weak are your weaknesses? Caution:

This method uses comparisons with the state to judge students’ performance.

The school could outperform the state average on a question, but score poorly.

To find objective trends, also look at the expectations of the standard.

How strong are your strengths? How weak are your weaknesses?

Look through the score report again. This time, mark each question that scored: Above 85 percent Below 40 percent Use table on handout to convert scores to a percentage. Measuring Actual Performance

Look through the score report again.

This time, mark each question that scored:

Above 85 percent

Below 40 percent

Use table on handout to convert scores to a percentage.

Measuring Actual Performance Go back to the Success Web site and review questions for content and clue words and record comments like before. Identify any trends from the comments. Does what you observe now compare to the trends you saw using the previous method?

Go back to the Success Web site and review questions for content and clue words and record comments like before.

Identify any trends from the comments.

Does what you observe now compare to the trends you saw using the previous method?

Which Method Works Best? Risk of false negatives. Some standards can randomly be harder than others. Can give a false positive about the students’ actual knowledge. Con: Demonstrates students' familiarity with the subject. More likely to be based on content than question difficulty. Pro: Actual Performance Compare to State Average

Observed Trends District

Mathematics: Reading and Writing: Science: Social Studies: Math Trends Here Reading And Writing Trends Here Science Trends Here Social Studies Trends Here

Math Trends Here

Reading And Writing Trends Here

Science Trends Here

Social Studies Trends Here

Test-Wide Trends Here Multiple-Choice ≈ (Pass Rate Here) Short-Answer ≈ (Pass Rate Here) Extended-Response ≈ (Pass Rate Here) Difficult Keywords Here Pass Rates by Question Types: Test-Wide: Keywords:

Test-Wide Trends Here

Multiple-Choice ≈ (Pass Rate Here)

Short-Answer ≈ (Pass Rate Here)

Extended-Response ≈ (Pass Rate Here)

Difficult Keywords Here

A Word of Caution

Don’t read too much into trends. These exams do not assess all of the content standards. Prioritize limited classroom time to: Focus on both strengths and weaknesses Develop students’ content and skills

Don’t read too much into trends.

These exams do not assess all of the content standards.

Prioritize limited classroom time to:

Focus on both strengths and weaknesses

Develop students’ content and skills

Extended-Response Questions

Typically difficult for students. Each wants specific things from students. Extended-Response and Short-Answer Questions To find these requirements, look at the scoring guide …

Typically difficult for students.

Each wants specific things from students.

Start on the ODE homepage. Near the top-right of the page, click on Testing. On the left menu, click on Released Test Materials. Select Released Test Materials for Ohio's Grade 3-8 Achievement Tests. How to Find Scoring Guides Select your grade, subject and year of the test. Scoring guides are on the right.

Start on the ODE homepage.

Near the top-right of the page, click on Testing.

On the left menu, click on Released Test Materials.

Select Released Test Materials for Ohio's Grade 3-8 Achievement Tests.

Select your grade, subject and year of the test. Scoring guides are on the right.

Patterns of a Four-Point Question

Questions contain keywords and expect an answer for each one: Ex: Identify, describe, explain, compare, determine, list, draw, graph, give details, etc… Special keywords: Describe, explain and compare . Require more depth and detail. Worth two points since there is partial credit.

Questions contain keywords and expect an answer for each one:

Ex: Identify, describe, explain, compare, determine, list, draw, graph, give details, etc…

Special keywords:

Describe, explain and compare .

Require more depth and detail.

Worth two points since there is partial credit.

When reading the question, mark all keywords. If there are fewer marked keywords than the number of points, the special keywords need extra attention. For example, instead of a quick description, a full and detailed description is needed.

When reading the question, mark all keywords. If there are fewer marked keywords than the number of points, the special keywords need extra attention.

For example, instead of a quick description, a full and detailed description is needed.

Test makers do not make all questions in the same way: Questions have a mix of keywords , special keywords and subjects. The most common combinations are: Four Keywords Two Special Keywords for one Subject Two Keywords on two Subjects

Test makers do not make all questions in the same way:

Questions have a mix of keywords , special keywords and subjects.

The most common combinations are:

Four Keywords

Two Special Keywords for one Subject

Two Keywords on two Subjects

Two Special Keywords for One Subject

Four Keywords

One Special Keyword for Two Subjects

For Reading, Social Studies, Science and Math . Read the question carefully and completely. Underline each keyword (action words). Circle each special keyword. Extended-Response Recommendations

For Reading, Social Studies, Science and Math .

Read the question carefully and completely.

Underline each keyword (action words).

Circle each special keyword.

Generally, students have a harder time responding to special keywords. Think of examples and details for each “describe, explain and compare” question. Extended-Response Recommendations Often the difference between a score of 2 and 4 is the lack of details or support for each of these special keywords.

Generally, students have a harder time responding to special keywords.

Think of examples and details for each “describe, explain and compare” question.

Often the difference between a score of 2 and 4 is the lack of details or support for each of these special keywords.

8 Most Often Used Keywords Produce a list of words, sentences, or comments. List Give reasons for. Explain Describe giving the details and explaining the pros and cons of the subject. Discuss Write a detailed account or verbal picture in a logical sequence or story form. Describe Give the formal meaning by distinguishing it from related terms. This is often a matter of giving a memorized definition. Define Give your judgment or reasoned opinion of something, illustrating its good and bad points. It is not necessary to attack it. Criticize Compare by showing differences. Contrast Show both the similarities and differences. Compare Action Required Clue Word

Types of Writing Question Informational Prompt Narrative Prompt Letter Writing Expository Prompt Informational Prompt Persuasive Prompt Narrative Prompt Letter Writing Grade 7 and 10 : Grade 4 :

Informational Prompt

Narrative Prompt

Letter Writing

Expository Prompt

Informational Prompt

Persuasive Prompt

Narrative Prompt

Letter Writing

Graders are given areas of importance to gauge completeness: Treatment of Prompt/Topic Directly Addressed/Focused Awareness of Audience/Purpose Clearly Adapted Ideas, Examples and Details Strong/Compelling/Ample Available Organization and Development Clearly Evident/ Exceptional Writing Test Strategies

Treatment of Prompt/Topic

Directly Addressed/Focused

Awareness of Audience/Purpose

Clearly Adapted

Ideas, Examples and Details

Strong/Compelling/Ample Available

Organization and Development

Clearly Evident/ Exceptional

Graders are given areas of importance to gauge completeness: Sentences and Vocabulary/Word Choice Consistent Variety/ Appropriate Sequence and Style Unified and Coherent/Engaging Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, Paragraphing Few/No Errors - Grade 4 Writing Test Strategies

Sentences and Vocabulary/Word Choice

Consistent Variety/ Appropriate

Sequence and Style

Unified and Coherent/Engaging

Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, Paragraphing

Few/No Errors - Grade 4

Did I answer the question completely? Did I provide enough evidence or support to make my point? Was my essay organized in a logical way? Did I make good use of word choice and sentence structure? Did I proofread my essay? (fix grammar, spelling, punctuation) Students should ask themselves: Writing Test Recommendations

Did I answer the question completely?

Did I provide enough evidence or support to make my point?

Was my essay organized in a logical way?

Did I make good use of word choice and sentence structure?

Did I proofread my essay? (fix grammar, spelling, punctuation)

A two-point question has two brief tasks or one detailed task Have the same keywords and special keywords as constructed response. It asks: Two keywords, or tasks. One keyword for two subjects. One special keyword about one subject. Short-Answer Strategies

A two-point question has two brief tasks or one detailed task

Have the same keywords and special keywords as constructed response. It asks:

Two keywords, or tasks.

One keyword for two subjects.

One special keyword about one subject.

Classroom Practices that Develop Needed Knowledge and Skills

Advance organizers Evaluation Feedback Corrective instruction Mastery learning Ability grouping Homework Clarity of presentation Questioning Effective Instructional Practices

Advance organizers

Evaluation

Feedback

Corrective instruction

Mastery learning

Ability grouping

Homework

Clarity of presentation

Questioning

Use of experiments Teacher estimation strategies Teacher’s high expectations Effort reinforcement Classroom time management Direct instruction Memorization Questioning Homework Classroom assessment Effective Classroom Practices

Use of experiments

Teacher estimation strategies

Teacher’s high expectations

Effort reinforcement

Classroom time management

Direct instruction

Memorization

Questioning

Homework

Classroom assessment

Convergent Questions Cause students to summarize and draw conclusions. Useful to bring about combination and recombination of experiences which lead to: Generalization Understanding Their importance is limited since these questions tax the lower cognitive domain. These are too common in the classroom. Requires students to use mainly: Recall and limited reasoning Problem-solving limited to facts already stated

Cause students to summarize and draw conclusions.

Useful to bring about combination and recombination of experiences which lead to:

Generalization

Understanding

Their importance is limited since these questions tax the lower cognitive domain.

These are too common in the classroom.

Requires students to use mainly:

Recall and limited reasoning

Problem-solving limited to facts already stated

Divergent Questions Open-ended questions that lead to further questions, cause students to experiment or lead to research These questions: Foster thinking Enlarge the scope of material being studied Deepen students’ interest on the topic These are probably the least-asked questions There are no “right” answers Requires students to use both: Concrete thinking Abstract thinking

Open-ended questions that lead to further questions, cause students to experiment or lead to research

These questions:

Foster thinking

Enlarge the scope of material being studied

Deepen students’ interest on the topic

These are probably the least-asked questions

There are no “right” answers

Requires students to use both:

Concrete thinking

Abstract thinking

Sources of Classroom Data Homework assignments Teacher’s grade book Grade distribution Student progress reports Unit tests and daily quizzes Student portfolios Newsletters sent home District test data comparisons Bulletin board displays Lesson and unit plans Scoring rubrics, if any

Homework assignments

Teacher’s grade book

Grade distribution

Student progress reports

Unit tests and daily quizzes

Student portfolios

Newsletters sent home

District test data comparisons

Bulletin board displays

Lesson and unit plans

Scoring rubrics, if any

From the ODE homepage, select: From the green “Educators menu, select “Academic Content Standards” On the left menu select “Graduation Requirements/Ohio Core” Scroll down, select “Ohio Core Resources” Ohio Core Resources

From the green “Educators menu, select “Academic Content Standards”

On the left menu select “Graduation Requirements/Ohio Core”

Scroll down, select “Ohio Core Resources”

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