Office of the Superintendent of Schools MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Rockville, Maryland. May 6, 2002

Transcription

1 Office of the Superintendent of Schools MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Rockville, Maryland May 6, 2002 MEMORANDUM To: From: Subject: Members of the Board of Education Jerry D. Weast, Superintendent of Schools Progress in Grades 2, 4 and 6 on the 2002 Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) and California Achievement Tests (CAT) Students in Grades 2, 4, and 6 performed at or above last year s results on nationally normed tests in reading, mathematics, and language, with all subject areas at or exceeding the 64 th percentile nationally for the first time and more than half of all categories surpassing the 70 th percentile. At the same time, impressive gains were made by all racial and ethnic groups of students, particularly African American and Hispanic students. Only African American students were at or above all of the results for last year at all three grade levels. In fact, gains by African American students in Grade 6 in some subject areas were twice or more as large as the countywide increases. While there remains a significant difference in overall student performance by race and ethnicity, the new data underscore the continuing progress made in raising the bar for overall student achievement and closing the gap in targeted areas. The gains by sixth grade students systemwide, especially the 10-point increase in mathematics computation, also demonstrates the success of schools in preparing students for the increased rigor expected in high school. Table and 2002 Median National Percentile Ranks for the Nation and MCPS, Grades 2, 4, and 6 1 Grade 2 Grade 4 Grade 6 Subtest Nation Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Math Computation The median is the middle score of a group. That is, half of the scores are above it and half are below. Thus, if the median national percentile rank for a group of local students is 78, one can then say that half of the students in the local group outperformed 78 percent of students in the national reference group. Using the median national percentile rank calls for extreme caution when interpreting differences in scores. An apparent large difference in percentile ranks can be the result of only one additional correct answer. One of the most extreme examples of this is on the Grade 2 Language subtest, where one more correct answer can increase the percentile rank from 55 to 68.

2 Members of the Board of Education 2 May 6, 2002 The new test results are from the spring 2002 administration of the nationally normed Terranova Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) and the Terranova California Achievement Tests 2. (In the spring of 2002, MSDE replaced the CTBS in Grade 6 with the CAT.) These tests are used by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to evaluate student performance in reading, language, language mechanics, mathematics, and mathematics computation. MSDE includes CTBS/CAT results for schools and school districts as median national percentile ranks 2 in its annual Maryland School Performance Program report card. (See Attachment E for an explanation of norm-referenced testing.) Test results for years prior to 2001 were computed differently by MSDE, rendering the 2001 results as the new baseline 3 administration for current and future comparisons. The improved results this year occurred with an enrollment growth of more than 2,700 students, including more children affected by poverty and learning English as a second language. In fact, while the total enrollment grew by 2 percent this year, there was a 4.7-percent increase in the percentage of students qualifying for the free breakfast and lunch program, which is a measure of the greatest level of poverty among students participating in the Free and Reduced-Priced Meal Services (FARMS). The improvement in mathematics at each grade level is particularly noteworthy. For example, the 10-point improvement in math computation in Grade 6 now places student performance above the 70 th percentile in this subject area at each grade level for the first time. This improvement reflects well on a mathematics program systemwide that has been undergoing a significant overhaul following the audit of the mathematics programs last year. Overall, the results continue to be well above the national average in each grade level. Grade 2 had the largest systemwide improvement in single subject area, a 13-point increase in language along with an eight-point increase in mathematics computation. In the other subject areas, students in Grade 2 maintained the previous year s results. More analysis of the data, especially among individual schools, will be necessary to understand the results more clearly in relation to the early childhood initiatives. But, certainly, the gains reflect progress at a time when the Board of Education is continuing to strengthen expand full-day kindergarten, reduce class sizes in Grades 1 and 2, implement a more rigorous curriculum and instructional program, and strengthen professional staff development. Grade 4 increased by seven points overall in language mechanics. All other subject areas systemwide maintained the previous year s results, which includes the overall achievement of four of the five subject areas scoring above the 70 th percentile. 2 The Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) and the California Achievement Tests (CAT) are components of the Terranova series of assessments published by CTB/McGraw-Hill. The CTBS and the CAT were normed nationally in 1996 and 2000, respectively. 3 Calculation of the 2001 and 2002 median national percentile ranks reflects the inclusion requirements set by MSDE in spring According to these requirements, all students who participated in testing are to be included in the calculation of the median national percentile rank for all subtests, with one exception. Students who used a calculator for the Mathematics Computation subtest as mandated by an Individualized Educational Program or Section 504 Plan are not included in the calculation of the median national percentile rank for this subtest only. Therefore, comparisons of CTBS scores prior to 2001 are not valid.

3 Members of the Board of Education 3 May 6, 2002 Grade 6 had the most gains systemwide. Five of the six subject areas increased, with math computations increasing by 10 points to the 70 th percentile. All of the subject areas were at or above the 66 th percentile. Results by Racial/Ethnic Groups More analysis will be necessary on the improvement among African American and Hispanic students (see Attachment A), but the preliminary review demonstrates that the performance of African American and Hispanic students in Montgomery County is consistent with the performance of all students nationally. Table 2 below shows an example of these performance patterns as related to one content area, Grade 4 mathematics. The percentile ranks for African American and Hispanic students are almost equally divided across the four quarters of the national distribution, consistent with national norms. Table 2 Differences in the Distribution of Percentages of Racial/Ethnic Groups Within CTBS National Percentile Ranks Grade 4 Mathematics Percentage of Racial/Ethnic Group at Percentile Ranks 1-25, 26-50, 51-75, and Montgomery County Public Schools Percentile Rank Nation African American Asian American Hispanic White Results of Non-Standard Administrations The national normative data are based on the performance of students who took the CTBS/CAT under standardized conditions. MSDE permitted students to take the Mathematics Computation subtest with a calculator if that accommodation was specified in their Individualized Education Program or 504 Plan. A total of 1,532 students (5% of the students in Grades 2, 4, and 6 who took the Mathematics Computation subtest) used this accommodation. Their median percentile ranks were 68 in Grade 2, 62 in Grade 4, and 46 in Grade 6.

4 Members of the Board of Education 4 May 6, 2002 Results by Gender Results for male and female students were slightly different. The range of median national percentile ranks for female students was 66 to 87 across the grades and content areas. The range for male students was 55 to 78 (Attachment B). Results by Support Services, including Special Education Students receiving support services English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS), and Special Education scored substantially lower than students not receiving those services (Attachments C and D). The highest median national percentile ranks for these students across grades and content areas were below the lowest median national percentile rank for students not receiving these services. The highest median national percentile rank for ESOL students was 53 while the lowest for non- ESOL students was 65. The difference was similar for FARMS, with the highest median national percentile rank for students receiving this service being 55 and the lowest for non- FARMS students being 68. For special education services the data are divided according to the number of hours of service each week. The lowest median national percentile rank for students not receiving special education services was 64. The highest median national percentile rank for the group with less intensive services (1 to 15 hours) was 62, while the highest median national percentile rank for the group with most intensive services (more than 15 hours) was 39. Results by School A total of 119 elementary schools participated in the Grade 2 and Grade 4 CTBS testing. A total of 37 middle schools and 2 elementary schools participated in the Grade 6 CAT testing. The vast majority of these schools received a median national percentile rank at or above the national average, or 50 th percentile (Table 3, below). This is particularly true of middle schools; over ninety percent of these schools reached this level of performance in all areas, except in Language Mechanics. Table 3 summarizes these results. (Individual school results are in Attachment F.) Table 3 Number (N) and Percentage (%) of MCPS Schools Scoring at the 50 th Median National Percentile Rank and Above Subtest Grade 2 (119 schools) Grade 4 (119 schools) Grade 6 (37 schools) N % N % N % Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation

5 Members of the Board of Education 5 May 6, 2002 The percentage of schools that received a median national percentile rank at or above the 50 th national percentile in reading and mathematics increased from the elementary to the middle school level. In reading, the percentage of such schools increases from 76 to 92 percent, while in mathematics the percentage of these schools grew from 87 to 92 percent. Chart 1 below shows this improvement in performance. Reading 76.0% 81.0% 92.0% Chart % 19.0% 8.0% Increase in the Percentage of Schools Scoring at the 50 th Percentile and Above on the Reading and Mathematics Subtests Grade 2 (N=119) Mathematics Grade 4 (N=119) Grade 6 (N=37) 87.0% 13.0% 89.0% 11.0% 92.0% 8.0% Grade 2 (N=119) Grade 4 (N=119) Grade 6 (N=37) = At or Above the CTBS 50th National Percentile Rank A substantial number of schools received a median national percentile rank of 75 and above, particularly at the elementary school level. Such a performance placed the average students in these schools at the top 25 percent in the nation. As can be seen in Table 4 (on the next page), two-thirds of schools reached this level of performance in language mechanics in Grade 2, while about half of the schools also scored at this level in language mechanics in Grade 2 and in language mechanics, mathematics computation, and reading in Grade 4.

6 Members of the Board of Education 6 May 6, 2002 Table 4 Number (N) and Percentage (%) of MCPS Schools Scoring at the 75 th Median National Percentile Rank and Above Subtest Grade 2 (119 schools) Grade 4 (119 schools) Grade 6 (37 schools) N % N % N % Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation The goal of reaching the 75 th percentile for all of our schools, as indicated in the chart above, is an important reflection on the remarkable continuation of a highly rigorous set of expectations in our school district. Over the next year, as the Maryland State Board of Education and MSDE determines what kind of assessment will replace the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP), it is important to note that progress on this most recent set of tests reflects the work of individual students. Principals, teachers, and parents will be able to use this summative data much as they do with the formative assessment data in kindergarten to help improve individual student performance and enhance the learning environment for each of our students, as we compare their performance with that of others across the United States. I will continue to keep you informed. JDW:kmy Attachments Copy to: Executive Staff Principals

7 SPRING 2002 COUNTYWIDE RESULTS Attachment A TERRANOVA COMPREHENSIVE TESTS OF BASIC SKILLS (CTBS) GRADES 2 AND 4 TERRANOVA CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TESTS (CAT) GRADE 6 Number Tested (N) and Median National Percentile (MNP) Ranks a Racial/Ethnic Groups GRADE 2 Subtest African American Asian American Hispanic White All N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation GRADE 4 Subtest African American Asian American Hispanic White All N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation GRADE 6 Subtest African American Asian American Hispanic White All N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation a. The median is the middle score of a group. That is, 50 percent of the scores are above it and 50 percent are below it. Thus, if the median national percentile rank for a group of local students is 78, one can then say that half of the students in the local group outperformed 78 percent of students in the national reference group. The median national percentile for the national reference group is 50.

8 2001 AND 2002 COUNTYWIDE RESULTS TERRANOVA COMPREHENSIVE TESTS OF BASIC SKILLS (CTBS) GRADES 2 AND 4 TERRANOVA CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TESTS (CAT) GRADE 6 Median National Percentile (MNP) Ranks a Racial/Ethnic Groups Subtest African American Asian American Hispanic White G R A D E 2 Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation G R A D E 4 Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation G R A D E 6 Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation The median is the middle score of a group. That is, 50 percent of the scores are above it and 50 percent are below it. Thus, if the median national percentile rank for a group of local students is 78, one can then say that half of the students in the local group outperformed 78 percent of students in the national reference group. The median national percentile for the national reference group is 50.

9 Attachment B SPRING 2002 COUNTYWIDE RESULTS TERRANOVA COMPREHENSIVE TESTS OF BASIC SKILLS (CTBS) GRADES 2 AND 4 TERRANOVA CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TESTS (CAT) GRADE 6 Number Tested (N) and Median National Percentile (MNP) Ranks a Gender Subtest Grade 2 Grade 4 Grade 6 Male Female Male Female Male Female N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation b. The median is the middle score of a group. That is, 50 percent of the scores are above it and 50 percent are below it. Thus, if the median national percentile rank for a group of local students is 78, one can then say that half of the students in the local group outperformed 78 percent of students in the national reference group. The median national percentile for the national reference group is 50.

10 Attachment C SPRING 2002 COUNTYWIDE RESULTS TERRANOVA COMPREHENSIVE TESTS OF BASIC SKILLS (CTBS) GRADES 2 AND 4 TERRANOVA CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TESTS (CAT) GRADE 6 Number Tested (N) and Median National Percentile (MNP) Ranks a Students Receiving Support Services ESOL Students Grade 2 Grade 4 Grade 6 Subtest ESOL Non- ESOL ESOL Non- ESOL ESOL Non- ESOL N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP Reading Language Mathematics Lang. Mech Math. Comp Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMS) Grade 2 Grade 4 Grade 6 Subtest FARMS Non-FARMS FARMS Non- FARMS FARMS Non- FARMS N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP N MNP Reading Language Mathematics Lang. Mech Math. Comp c. The median is the middle score of a group. That is, 50 percent of the scores are above it and 50 percent are below it. Thus, if the median national percentile rank for a group of local students is 78, one can then say that half of the students in the local group outperformed 78 percent of students in the national reference group. The median national percentile for the national reference group is 50.

11 Attachment D SPRING 2002 COUNTYWIDE RESULTS TERRANOVA COMPREHENSIVE TESTS OF BASIC SKILLS (CTBS) GRADE 2 TERRANOVA CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TESTS (CAT) GRADE 6 Number tested (N) and Median National Percentile (MNP) Ranks a Students Receiving Support Services Special Education Students GRADE 2 Subtest 15 or More Hours of Service Fewer than 15 Hours of Service Not Receiving Services N MNP N MNP N MNP Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation GRADE 4 Subtest 15 or More Hours of Service Fewer than 15 Hours of Service Not Receiving Services N MNP N MNP N MNP Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation GRADE 6 Subtest 15 or More Hours of Service Fewer than 15 Hours of Service Not Receiving Services N MNP N MNP N MNP Reading Language Mathematics Language Mechanics Mathematics Computation a. The median is the middle score of a group. That is, 50 percent of the scores are above it and 50 percent are below it. Thus, if the median national percentile rank for a group of local students is 78, one can then say that half of the students in the local group outperformed 78 percent of students in the national reference group. The median national percentile for the national reference group is 50.

12 Attachment E NORM-REFERENCED TESTING IN A NUTSHELL Norm- Referenced Testing (NRT) Norm-referenced tests are used to estimate how well local students performed on these tests in comparison to a larger group of students who have already taken these same tests. The comparison group, usually a nationwide sample of students of the same age and grade, is called the norm group. Their scores on the test, or norms, are the yardsticks against which district and individual scores are referenced. The most common NRT score is percentiles. Thus, a student who scores at the 92nd percentile indicates that his/her performance equaled or exceeded the performances of 92 percent of the students in the norm group. The Terranova Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS), the Terranova California Achievement Tests (CAT), the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), and the Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT) are examples of national norm-referenced tests. The following should be considered in interpreting norm-referenced results: Percentiles should not be confused with percentage of correct responses on a test. Percentiles cannot be averaged across subject areas. Each norm-referenced test is developed independently and uses its own norming group. This means that percentiles from two different tests cannot be compared directly. Norm-referenced tests are not designed to measure how well students are learning a school system s specific programs in reading, mathematics, and other skills. Rather, they are designed to measure basic skills that are deemed generally taught at specific grade levels nationwide.

13 Individual School Results Attachment F

14 ASHBURTON ES BANNOCKBURN ES BARNSLEY ES BEALL ES BEL PRE ES

15 BELLS MILL ES BELMONT ES BETHESDA ES BEVERLY FARMS ES BRADLEY HILLS ES

16 BROAD ACRES ES BROOKE GROVE ES BROOKHAVEN ES BROWN STATION ES BURNING TREE ES

17 BURNT MILLS ES BURTONSVILLE ES CANDLEWOOD ES CANNON ROAD ES CARDEROCK SPRINGS ES

18 CASHELL ES CEDAR GROVE ES CHARLES R. DREW ES CHEVY CHASE ES CLARKSBURG ES

19 CLEARSPRING ES CLOPPER MILL ES CLOVERLY ES COLD SPRING ES COLLEGE GARDENS ES

20 CRESTHAVEN ES DALY ES DAMASCUS ES DARNESTOWN ES DIAMOND ES

21 DUFIEF ES EAST SILVER SPRING ES FAIRLAND ES FALLSMEAD ES FARMLAND ES

22 FIELDS ROAD ES FLOWER HILL ES FLOWER VALLEY ES FOREST KNOLLS ES FOX CHAPEL ES

23 GAITHERSBURG ES GALWAY ES GARRETT PARK ES GEORGIAN FOREST ES GERMANTOWN ES

24 GLEN HAVEN ES GLENALLAN ES GOSHEN ES GREENCASTLE ES GREENWOOD ES

25 HARMONY HILLS ES HIGHLAND ES HIGHLAND VIEW ES JACKSON ROAD ES JONES LANE ES

26 KEMP MILL ES KENSINGTON PARKWOOD ES LAKE SENECA ES LAKEWOOD ES LAYTONSVILLE ES

27 LUXMANOR ES MARYVALE ES MATSUNAGA ES MCAULIFFE ES MCNAIR ES

28 MEADOW HALL ES MILL CREEK TOWNE ES MONOCACY ES MONTGOMERY KNOLLS ES NEW HAMPSHIRE ESTATES ES NORTH CHEVY CHASE ES OAK VIEW ES

29 OAKLAND TERRACE ES OLNEY ES PINE CREST ES PINEY BRANCH ES POOLESVILLE ES POTOMAC ES

30 RACHEL CARSON ES RESNIK ES RITCHIE PARK ES ROCK CREEK FOREST ES ROCK CREEK VALLEY ES

31 ROCK VIEW ES ROCKWELL ES ROLLING TERRACE ES ROSEMARY HILLS ES ROSEMONT ES

32 SALLY RIDE ES SALLY RIDE ES SEQUOYAH ES SEVEN LOCKS ES SHERWOOD ES SLIGO CREEK ES

33 SOMERSET ES SOUTH LAKE ES STEDWICK ES STONE MILL ES STONE MILL ES STONEGATE ES

34 STRATHMORE ES STRAWBERRY KNOLL ES SUMMIT HALL ES TAKOMA PARK ES THURGOOD MARSHALL ES TRAVILAH ES

35 TWINBROOK ES VIERS MILL ES VIERS MILL ES WASHINGTON GROVE ES WATERS LANDING ES WATKINS MILL ES

36 WAYSIDE ES WELLER ROAD ES WESTBROOK ES WESTOVER ES WHEATON WOODS ES

37 WHETSTONE ES WILLIAM TYLER PAGE ES WOODACRES ES WOODFIELD ES WOODLIN ES

38 WYNGATE ES

39 CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TESTS: GRADE 6 READ READ MECH MECH COMP COMP ARGYLE MS BAKER MS BANNEKER MS BRIGGS CHANEY MS CABIN JOHN MS CHEVY CHASE ES CLEMENTE MS EASTERN MS FARQUHAR MS FOREST OAK MS

40 CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TESTS: GRADE 6 READ READ MECH MECH COMP COMP FROST MS GAITHERSBURG MS HOOVER MS JOHN POOLE MS JULIUS WEST MS KEY MS KING MS KINGSVIEW MS LEE MS MONTGOMERY VILLAGE MS

41 CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TESTS: GRADE 6 READ READ MECH MECH COMP COMP NEELSVILLE MS NORTH BETHESDA MS NORTH CHEVY CHASE ES PARKLAND MS PYLE MS REDLAND MS RIDGEVIEW MS ROCKY HILL MS ROSA PARKS MS SHADY GROVE MS

42 CALIFORNIA ACHIEVEMENT TESTS: GRADE 6 READ READ MECH MECH COMP COMP SIL. SP. INTER. MS SLIGO MS TAKOMA PARK MS TILDEN MS WESTLAND MS WHITE OAK MS WOOD MS Missing 2001 for the Mathematics and Mathematics Computation subtests, Silver Spring International Middle School is due to state invalidation of scores.