Standards Based Reporting

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Standards Based Reporting

• Gorham School Department
• Gorham, Maine
• October 2007

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What is Standards Based Reporting?

• Part of a Comprehensive Reporting System
• Communicates student achievement in relation to
  End-Of-Year Standards
• Is based upon the Maine Learning Results and
  Gorham Curriculum
• Reports effort and participation separately

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Why Use Standards Based Reporting?

• The State of Maine adopted the Maine Learning
  Results which define what students are to know
  and be able to do.
• The Maine Learning Results Parameters for
  Essential Instruction establish parameters for
  essential teaching and learning in grades
• Pre-Kindgarten through diploma across eight
  content areas. (August 14. 2007)

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Why Use Standards Based Reporting?

• The Maine Learning Results are consistent
  throughout our state.
• These standards, embedded within our curriculum,
  are the focus of our instruction K-12. We should
  be teaching to these standards in each of our
  classrooms
• Therefore.

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Why Use Standards Based Reporting?

• It makes sense to report
• student performance
• toward standards!

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It Is All About Teaching And Learning

• Students learning, rather than teachers
  teaching is increasingly seen to be at the crux
  of the educational process. The emphasis has
  moved from inputs to outcomes.
• Bryson, (1998)

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It Is Also About CHANGE.

• Problems all require people in the
  organization not just to do their work
  differently.
• but to think differently about the nature and
  purpose of their work.
• R. Elmore (2002)

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A Few Thoughts About Change

• Its not so much that were afraid of
• change
• but its that place in between that we fear.
• Its like being between trapezes.
• Marilyn Ferguson

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A Few Thoughts About Change

• Nothing is so dear
• as what youre about to leave.
• Jessamyn West,
• American Writer

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Managing Transitions

• Managing transitions involves the process of
  going though three phases
• 1. Ending, Losing, Letting Go
• 2. The Neutral Zone
• 3. The New Beginning
• William Bridges
• Managing Transitions, Making the Most of Change
  (2003)

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The Puzzle of Teaching and Learning
Student Accountability
High Academic Expectations
Climate and Conditions For Learning
Reporting Student Progress
Professional Development
llllllll
hhhhhvvvvvvvvv
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Reporting Student Progress Towards Standards
Standards Based Report Cards
Progress Reports
School and Teacher Newsletters
Assessment Reports NWEA MEA CBM
Parent Teacher Conferences
Exhibits or Portfolios of Student Work
Technology Based Communication
Open House
Parent Contact
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Remember.

• The more communication that occurs using all
  aspects of the Reporting System, the less crucial
  role the Report Card plays.
• The less communication that occurs, the more
  critical it is that the Report Card communicate
  student progress.

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Where Are We In Gorham?K-2

• 10 teachers used SBR in K-2 last year. They
  shared their experience with staff, and provided
  feedback to the SBR committee.
• Parent surveys were conducted last spring in K-2
  pilot classrooms.
• Additional teachers in K-2 will participate this
  year.
• Parent information will be a focus.

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Where Are We In Gorham?3rd, 4th 5th Grades

• Teachers worked in teams to develop rubrics and
  align portfolio collections with SBR standards.
• Teachers will pilot SBR this year, feedback will
  be obtained from teachers.
• Grade level teams will continue to work together
  this year.
• Parent information will be a focus.

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Where Are We In Gorham?Middle School

• Several teachers attended a conference on SBR
  with Jeff Valance last spring.
• Jeff Valance provided a full day inservice to
  administrators 6 12 this past August.
• 7 teachers worked over the summer to develop a
  DRAFT SBR Report and will pilot the system
  beginning this fall.
• Continued staff involvement and training will
  occur this year.
• Parent information will be a focus.

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Where Are We In Gorham?High School

• Last year teachers identified 3 5 standards for
  each class taught.
• This year teachers developed a rubric for Habits
  of Mind (Participation and Preparedness)
• Creating and piloting a SBR Report Card will
  occur this year.
• Parent information will be a focus.

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Question Are We Doing Away With Letter Grades?

• NoThose grade levels, including Middle School
  and High School will report progress toward
  standards AND continue with letter grades as they
  have previously.
• Honors and High Honors will continue to be
  designated as they have previously.

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Question Are Letter Grades and SBR Inconsistent?

• Yesif letters grades are given in the
  traditional manner.
• Howeverwe recognize the significant role they
  play for teachers, students and parents.
• We believe more effective grading and reporting
  practices need to be developed over time.
• Questions of transcripts and post high school
  impacts will need to be resolved before we
  consider changes to letter grades.

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Question How Complicated Is SBR For Teachers?

• Many school districts across the country have
  developed SBR systems that are very lengthy and
  difficult to understand.
• We have determined that Gorham will use a system
  that is reasonable, understandable, and focused
  on standards.
• Our system will be revised over time.

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Question Does Homework Still Matter?

• Homework, when used properly, can provide
  additional practice and extend learning.
• In a Standards Based system, the emphasis is on
  demonstrated progress toward the standards using
  multiple assessments. The role of homework in
  determining that progress should be minimal.

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Question How Do We Accomplish This Work?

• By working collaboratively, teachers can share
  ideas and information. This will make the work
  easier, and will result in greater consistency
  between teachers.
• Time to work together continues to be available
  through a variety of avenues, including inservice
  and early release days.
• Resource people, with experience in SBR, are
  available if requested by school staff.

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Question Will This Go Away Like So Many Ideas
In The Past?

• Not likely.
• For the past twenty years, every state has moved
  to a system of clearly identified standards.
• No Child Left Behind was the most recent
  legislation requiring increased learning and
  assessment with identified annual goals for ALL
  students.
• Far too many students are failing, graduating
  with inadequate skills, many other student drop
  out, in an era when at least two years of post
  high school education is the norm.

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Whats Next?

• Continue or begin pilot K-12 this year.
• Continue staff training and involvement in SBR.
• Share information with parents through meetings,
  newsletters, web sites, and personal
  communications.
• Linking SBR to technology such as PowerSchool.
• Prepare for full implementation fall 2008.

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Thank You!

• To members of the SBR Committee K-12
• Sharon Wescott Terry Bryson
• Barb Hauke Jane Seidenberg
• Laurie Tibbitts Stacey Sawyer
• Rolande Paolino Frank DeFrancesco
• Sara Needleman Lila Mitchell
• Ray Mathieu Amy Smith
• Karen Rumery John Drisko

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Thank You!

• To teachers who participated in the pilot program
  2006-07.
• To teachers who will participate in the pilot
  program this year.
• To teachers who participated in summer curriculum
  work on SBR.
• To the Gorham Administrators for leadership and
  support.