Data-driven decision-making resourcesTIES’ nationally recognized experts in data-driven decision-making have compiled this page of resources, tools and links to other valuable web sites.
Minnesota Statewide Assessments
Minnesota NWEA/MCA-II linking study: TIES gathered data from nearly 100,000 Minnesota students and analyzed the link between their scores on the NWEA and MCA-II statewide assessments. Results of this analysis, including guidance on setting target scores for using the NWEA to predict success on the MCA-II, is available here.
Routes to Graduation: The Graduation-Required Assessments for Diploma (GRAD) are the state tests that fulfill Minnesota’s high school graduation requirement for students who first entered grade 8 in 2005-06 or later. TIES worked with MDE to develop a flowchart to help explain the various routes by which students can meet this graduation testing requirement. The flowchart is available here.
Data analysis tools
Logistic regression template: This Excel template provides a probability curve (logistic response function) based on results of logistic regression analysis. Logistic regression is commonly used to develop benchmark or target scores on local assessments, based on linking these local assessments to probability of success on a high-stakes test. More information on logistic regression is available here.
RtI Scheduler: This Excel tool provides a framework for an elementary school to consider how to schedule for Response to Intervention (RtI) supplemental instruction, as recommended by Reading First and in the RtI literature. Each grade receives 90 minutes of reading instruction, with an additional 30 minutes of reading and 30 minutes of math available for students needing supplemental instruction, plus time for additional interventions for specific students. This example demonstrates how this was accomplished using three FTE staff in a K-5 building with three sections per grade level. (This tool is courtesy of Barb Scierka, from the St. Croix River Education District.)
Summary of Effectiveness template: This Excel template provides a summary of effectiveness chart based on Fall, Winter and Spring benchmark assessment data. The template allows the user to enter custom target scores and presents the number of students with scores falling into Tiers I, II and III (Benchmark, Strategic and Intensive), as well as the number of students who move up and down across each benchmark testing season. This template is especially valuable when using general outcome measures such as Oral Reading Fluency or DIBELS within an RtI framework. (Thanks to Barb Scierka and Kerry Bollman of the St. Croix River Education District for their assistance in developing this chart.)
Assessment-related links
Center on Student Progress Monitoring: A federally funded resource to provide technical assistance to schools interested in monitoring student academic progress in grades K-5.
Intervention Central: A web site with several resources related to instruction, curriculum-based measurement and response to intervention.
Statistics-related links
Basic practice of statistics: Applets and resources related to concepts in introductory statistics.
Guessing correlations applet: An applet to improve understanding of how correlation values match linear relationships.
Marley Watkins’ software: Several free, downloadable, stand-alone software programs for both Mac and PC that perform a number of statistical functions.
Understanding computer-adaptive testing: An online tutorial that includes an interactive segment on item response theory (IRT).
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