Digging into the Data

When faced with a challenge I have often found myself being part of the 'problem' - regurgitating the issue or concern. With our student achievement data it is easy hone in on the issue without seeing the big picture. The big picture for me at this stage is still blurry however I am more concerned about finding or at least discussing what the solution could be to help support our young people.

As part of Teacher Only Day program, Mr Dunn has asked all HOD's to meet with their departments to look at the data of achievement to date, identify the students who are at risk and design a plan of attack to address the gap. This was a refreshing assignment. It was refreshing in that we focused less on the what is not happening and more on what is working. As mentioned in my previous post, I believe that success breeds success, so it is important that whilst the state of the data to date is not exactly great it is vital that we start to celebrate and reinforce what IS working in order to keep it going for our learners. We then started to discuss our approach to the students who are at risk and we think is best for our students. We spent time looking at our Level 1, 2 and 3 cohorts. Here is a breakdown of our findings for our Level 1 students: 

Digging into Achievement Data: Level 1 

What's working and why: Jumpstart Breaking down of assessment, one to one teaching, regular check ins, relationships with staff Use of Tracking Sheets (displayed on the board - using a Traffic Light system), Showing students exemplars from NZQA Student agency (some did both assessments) Continual feedback and comments and then unpacking why you gave the feedback so that the student understands.  Google doc feedback as a task (@studentname) One-to-one, face-to-face contact and  assistance Modelling paragraph writing structures Some of the students have their work done, sincerely working on the other assessment Other students are trying to put in some effort Teachers prepared to put in the work After school catch up classes - for those who attend Interim class conversations (growls) to put things into perspective Student choice/freedom  Co-Teaching.  Being on the same line and being able to support each other with behavior issues, class management, and problematic students.  HOD classroom visits. Awesome that they check in all the time to see how we all are and also to support behavior issues. Everyone doing the same standards. Completing 2 standards this term.  Education Perfect (NCEA standards) Accelerated programmer for students who meet credit protocol Postcards home acknowledging credit success We are a team who supports each other.

Common barriers: Attendance, Lack of motivation, behavior, Low Academic ability, Doing work for other subjects, Tired and TRYING to catch some zzZ’s in my class Off task, watching videos, playing games, misbehavior Procrastination, low self-belief, ingrained poor behaviors, bad student combinations, lack of self-management Students lack of motivation and off task behavior.

What will you try in term 2: Parent meetings with at risk students to discuss achievement concerns in English.  Aaron Wilson & Cynthia Orr Unfamiliar Text workshops with English Dept & Y11 cohort Reading strategies from Marc for poetry and Film Students at Risk of not Achieving: 29 students identified.  Try to have a one-on-one conversation with the students(if possible parents too)