Figure
Want students to drive their own learning? Give them these keys for engaging with their achievement data.
Key #1: Set Clear and Measurable Goals
Many teachers make thematic goals such as "Becoming History Makers" or "Reading Like 4th graders." These goals, accompanied by clear metrics for success and accountability, can motivate students. What does it mean to read like a 4th grader or become a history maker?
How I addressed this key in my classroom: In my 5th grade science classroom, our big year-long goal was for all students to score a 3 or 4 (proficient or advanced) on the end-of-year state science exam. Students worked toward this long-term goal by achieving short-term goals to master at least eight out of ten objectives or topics per unit. Eighty percent mastery is a good guideline for overall readiness to advance to the next unit and a reliable predictor that students will perform well on state assessments.
As students get older, we want them to take ownership for setting their own goals and have the ability to see how their current studies fit into their long-term goals. In my 8th grade social studies class, we talked explicitly about the statistics that show that receiving credit for just one high school Advanced Placement (AP) course contributes to a significantly higher college graduation rate. After reading articles and having these discussions, student chose one of two goals for themselves. If their current educational goals were based on high school graduation, students set a goal of mastering eight out of ten objectives per unit. Students aiming to attend and graduate from college set goals to master at least nine out of ten objectives, a mastery rate that would set them up for success in a high school AP U.S. history course.
Quick Tips:
- Make sure your classroom goal is measurable. You can include fun thematic goals, but also include components that you can clearly and accurately measure.
- Be sure your goal gets students ready for college and their careers. Have a high bar for expectations and student achievement.
- Break your goal into bite-sized pieces. Include intermediary goals that students will work towards to achieve their year-long goal.
Key #2: Use Predictable and Consistent Assessment Tools
In student-friendly, data-driven classrooms, students know what to expect for each assessment, each unit of instruction, and each cycle of data analysis. This can be the toughest component because it requires teachers to be very intentional and strategic as they create units and long-term curriculum plans. However, once students know how curriculum, instruction, and assessment align and understand what their achievement data means within that system, the structures remain the same throughout the year and students can engage with their data independently.
How I addressed this key in my classroom: In my 5th grade science class, each unit had 10 lesson topics (these could also be called objectives or essential questions depending on the instructional framework used at your school). At the end of each unit, the unit assessment was divided into 10 sections, one for each lesson topic. Students were assessed on each lesson topic with five questions (50 questions total), and students were expected to answer at least four out of five questions correctly to be considered proficient on a topic. Students received an overall unit score as well as 10 individual scores, one for each topic. In this way, curriculum, instruction, and assessment were presented in accordance with the overall 80 percent mastery (or higher) goal in a consistent and predictable way. Every new unit posed 10 new topics for mastery, each summative unit assessment was presented in the same format, and students received uniform feedback for each topic and in each unit. Students knew what to expect and how to engage with each assessment.
Quick Tips:
- Make the data system predictable from unit to unit so that once students learn the system, they can engage with it effectively and efficiently throughout the year.
- Ensure all instructional and assessment components fit the structure. From start to finish, every piece of your planning, instruction, and assessment should fit into the system. Align all unit plans, lesson objectives, unit assessments, and data reports.
Key #3: Make Data Useful to Students and You
The data produced from your assessments and shared with students should be the same data you use to inform your instruction. Here, computer applications and basic spreadsheets can easily provide you with the information you need to identify trends and gaps in mastery. By adding functions and color-coding to the spreadsheet, it can automatically calculate averages for each student over the course of the year, as well as in each lesson topic. With just a quick glance, teachers can make decisions about what content to reteach to the whole class or to a small group.
How I addressed this key in my classroom: At the end of each unit in my 5th grade science class, students received an overall score for the unit, as well as 10 scores aligned to each lesson topic. I also put each of these 10 scores, organized by lesson topic, into a spreadsheet that acted as my student achievement tracker. Topics highlighted in orange (below 70 percent) reflected low mastery, and I knew I needed to reteach students in that range. Lessons highlighted in yellow (70–80 percent) usually required small group lessons or station activities to reinforce content. Green highlighted topics indicated high levels of mastery.
Quick Tips:
- Creating additional steps in your data systems will make it hard to sustain and invest in it. Make sure the system data is meaningful and relevant for both you and your students.
- Let technology do the heavy lifting. By adding functions and color-coding to a basic spreadsheet, all you need to do is take a quick glance to identify trends that will inform your future instruction.
Key #4: Create Opportunities for Student-Owned Data Analysis
Student-friendly data systems should be easy to use so that even elementary students can record and track their own progress. Include opportunities for self-reflection so that students practice the metacognitive skills that lead to improved and lifelong learning. Celebrate success and student mastery and find fun and creative ways to present data. In the long run, you'll bolster students' mindsets and foster a sense of accomplishment and perseverance necessary for continual learning.
How I addressed this key in my classroom: My 5th grade science students just received data from their recent unit assessment. They take their classroom folders out and record their 10 scores, starring lesson topics they mastered, putting a smiley face next to topics where they received perfect scores, and circling two to three content areas where they need to continue to study. Then, they complete a reflective exercise about what they did to study and prepare during the unit and what they can do in the future to increase mastery. In addition, I print the spreadsheet out and give each student a sticker for the lesson topics they mastered. Sticker sheets are posted in the class. We celebrate group and individual growth, as well as discuss next steps so that we can all reach our goals.
Quick Tips:
- Create a system that encourages student-led self-reflection and tracking. Students should feel a sense of ownership over what they have learned and should know how to identify what they have mastered and what they need to work on.
- Establish a classroom culture that not only celebrates individual and group success but also encourages a growth mindset and teamwork. Partner students up with peers that mastered different topics so that each has an opportunity to be the teacher.
Your classroom can be data-driven and student-centered. Invite students to interact with their data by designing a system that is clear and measurable, predictable and consistent, meaningful, and student-owned. Give students the keys to engage with their own data and they will propel their own learning.