Lessons from Using NWEAs Vertical Scales

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Lessons from Using NWEAs Vertical Scales

• Phil Dommes
• North Thurston Public Schools
• June 2, 2006

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North Thurston Public Schools

• 1995 2005
• Customized reading and math tests
• Fall to Fall

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Characteristics of NWEA Tests

• Common item pool of pre-tested items
• Common, cross-grade measurement scales for all
  items in a content area
• Common test design
• Common psychometric properties

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NWEA Vertical Scales

• Grade level independent
• Equal interval
• 150-300

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Put Growth into Perspective
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Monitoring Growth in Student Achievement
 
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RIT Block Growth Norms
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Learning continuum sequence of skills
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Dont Forget about Error of Measurement
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Test 2 (Obtained Score)
210
197
205
207
213
202
Test 1 (Obtained Score)
Most likely Students true score grew 8
points. Plausible
Score increased by 2 points


Or
Score increased by 16
points.
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Be cautious when interpreting subtest results
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Test 2 (Obtained Score)
210
207
213
197
205
202
Test 1 (Obtained Score)
Most likely Students true score grew 8
points. Plausible
Student decreased by 4 points


Or
Student increased by
20 points.
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Triangulate the Data
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TRIANGULATION
Local Assessment
NWEA
Teacher
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When 3 points of data tell the same story about
a student, we can comfortably make the
appropriate decisions.
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Data begins a discussion it doesnt end the
discussion.