Dallas Independent School District

FINAL EVALUATION OF THE 2003-2004 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

PROGRAM

REIS04-158-02

DIVISION OF EVALUATION

AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Larry Groppel, Ed.D. Interim General Superintendent

Table of Contents

Page

Commitment ......................................................................................................................... 1

Status.................................................................................................................................... 1

Program Description ............................................................................................................. 1

Research Questions/Methodology/Results .......................................................................... 1

Describe the context of the Early Childhood Program in accordance with program guidelines......................................................................................................................

1

Methodology ...................................................................................................... 1

Results.............................................................................................................. 1

Student Demographics.............................................................................. 1

Staffing ...................................................................................................... 3

Allocated Funds ........................................................................................ 4

Of the elementary schools that provide early childhood education, identify those with program facilitators and the programs and/or best practices, including but not limited to diagnostic and prescriptive approaches, used to deliver services................

4

Methodology...................................................................................................... 4

Results ............................................................................................................. 5

Best Practices .......................................................................................... 5

Campus Facilitators ................................................................................. 7

What activities were employed by the Early Childhood Education Department and individual campuses to increase parental involvement and parent and teacher training? ........................................................................................................................

7

Methodology...................................................................................................... 7

Results ............................................................................................................. 7

Parental Involvement ............................................................................... 7

Parent Training......................................................................................... 8

Professional Development for Grades PK-3 Teachers 9

Were written curricula, along with supporting curriculum guides and materials, available at each campus? ...........................................................................................

9

i

Table of Contents (Continued)

Page

Methodology...................................................................................................... 9

Results ............................................................................................................. 9

Identify achievement levels of early childhood students by analyzing passing rates on norm- and criterion-referenced tests. ......................................................................

11

Methodology...................................................................................................... 11

Results ............................................................................................................. 12

TAKS ........................................................................................................ 12

ITBS and Logramos ................................................................................. 12

ii

List of Tables

Page

1 Number and Percent of Students Enrolled in Early Childhood Education by Grade and Ethnicity ................................................................................................

2

2 Number of Students Enrolled in Early Childhood Education by Grade and Economic Status.....................................................................................................

2

3 Number of Students Enrolled in Early Childhood Education by Grade and English Proficiency .................................................................................................

3

4 District Mean Class Size by Grade......................................................................... 3

5 Number of Hours and Percentage of Classrooms with Assistance by Grade........ 4

6 Source of Allocated Funds for Early Childhood Education .................................... 4

7 Number and Percent of Assessments Used for Diagnostic Purposes by Grade ... 5

8 Uses of Assessment Data by Grade ...................................................................... 6

9 Percent of Time Spent in Instructional Arrangements by Grade............................ 6

10 Centers Utilized in Classrooms by Grade .............................................................. 6

11 Number of Campus Facilitators Responding to Survey by Grade ......................... 7

12 Teacher and Principal Activities to Increase Parent Involvement .......................... 8

13 Frequency of Topics for Parent Training Sessions ................................................ 8

14 Topics for Grades PK-3 Teacher Training.............................................................. 9

15 Activities Used to Develop Oral Language by Grade............................................. 10

16 Methods of Teaching Writing Skills by Grade 10

17 Number and Percent of Grade 3 Students Passing TAKS Reading and Mathematics by Demographic Variables................................................................

12

18 Grades K-3 ITBS and Logramos Reading and Mathematics Adjusted Normal Curve Equivalent Scores by Grade ........................................................................

13

19 Grades K-3 ITBS and Logramos Reading and Mathematics Adjusted Normal Curve Equivalent Scores by Demographic Variables.............................................

14

20 Grades K-3 ITBS and Logramos Reading and Mathematics Adjusted Normal Curve Equivalent Gain Scores by Grade ...............................................................

14

21 Grades K-3 ITBS and Logramos Reading and Mathematics Adjusted Normal Curve Equivalent Gain Scores by Ethnicity and Other Variables

15

iii

Early Childhood Education

Commitment The Dallas Independent School District shall maintain a strong Early Childhood Program at each campus which includes PK-3 students. This program shall be based on current educational best practices, including but not limited to a diagnostic and prescriptive approach, a program facilitator at each campus which includes PK-3 students, emphasis on small group and individualized instruction, a comprehensive program that includes curriculum guides and supporting materials, appropriate staffing, increased parent involvement and training and a strong emphasis on mastery of essential skills by the end of the third grade. Status

The district maintains a strong Early Childhood Education Program at every campus that includes PK-3 students. Program strength is supported by the distribution of a Model for Success best practices guide to all schools by the Early Childhood Department. The model uses balanced whole group and small group instruction for various instructional content. Students are to have access to a variety of learning and discovery centers and places for independent practice or differentiated tasks. Student teacher ratios were well under the district’s goal of 22:1 in Grades PK-3.

Survey results indicated that principals and teachers have sufficient curriculum guides and supporting instructional materials for all subjects. Benchmark tests, TPRI/Tejas Lee and teacher-made tests are the most often used diagnostic and prescriptive measures employed by teachers to identify student needs. All campuses had facilitators and parent involvement was increased through frequent communications and parent training and workshops. Program Description

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program is a state-of-the-art, research-based program that is built on current research, methodologies, and best practices. It provides the foundation for a continuum of learning from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 that is based on proven practices for the education of young learners. The ECE Department has an ongoing collaboration with the Reading and Multi-language Enrichment Departments to ensure that all students read on grade level or higher by the end of the third grade as required by the No Child Left Behind Act. Research Questions/Methodology/Results Describe the context of the Early Childhood Program in accordance with program guidelines (allocated funds, appropriate staffing, and student demographics).

Methodology

Student and personnel data were extracted from the district’s student and personnel databases. Additional data were obtained from a survey of campus facilitators and administrators. Student data include all students in Grades Pre-K-3 at schools that provide Early Childhood Education services.

Results

Student Demographics

The district maintains a strong Early Childhood Education Program at every campus that includes PK-3 students. The Program provides services to children ages four to eight in Grades Pre-K-3. At Pre-K, preschool services are provided to children who are (a) eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch, (b) limited English proficient, or (c) eligible for homeless services. Tables 1-3

1

present the demographic characteristics of Early Childhood Education students. The following points summarize the demographic characteristics of these students:

• Overall, a total of 60,701 students are provided Early Childhood Education services. At Pre-K, 7,198 students receive services at 136 schools.

• Of the total population, 67% are Hispanic and 27% Black. American Indian, Asian and White students represent less than 7% of the total population.

• Across all grade levels, 87% of the students are disadvantaged (Table 2). To address the needs of these students, Early Childhood Education has a goal to conduct a program of instruction based on the assumption that all children can learn; therefore, no child will be left behind.

• Almost half of the students in Grades PK - 3 are limited English proficient (Table 3). To address the needs of these students, Early Childhood Education’s goal is to allow Speakers of Other Languages to learn and progress in their primary language in all content areas while learning the second language.

Table 1

Number and Percent of Students Enrolled in Early

Childhood Education by Grade and Ethnicity

Ethnicity Black Asian Hispanic Am. Indian White Total

Grade N % N % N % N % N % N % Pre-K 1,766 25 65 1 5,195 72 8 <1 164 2 7,198 100 Kindergarten 3,453 26 144 1 9,003 67 25 <1 756 6 13,381 100 Grade 1 3,718 27 147 1 9,255 66 3 <1 802 6 13,959 100 Grade 2 3,539 27 144 1 8,825 66 38 <1 757 6 13,303 100 Grade 3 3,708 29 153 1 8,241 64 35 <1 723 6 12,860 100

Total 16,320 27 664 1 40,835 67 143 <1 3,299 5 60,701 100

Table 2

Number of Students Enrolled in Early Childhood Education by Grade and Economic Status

Economic Status Advantaged Disadvantaged Grade N % N % Pre-Kindergarten 697 10 6,501 90 Kindergarten 1,775 13 11,606 87 Grade 1 1,789 13 12,170 87 Grade 2 1,718 13 11,585 87 Grade 3 1,671 13 11,189 87

Total 7,650 13 53,051 87

2

Table 3

English Proficiency Limited English English Proficient

Grade N % N % Pre-Kindergarten 3,767 52 3,431 48 Kindergarten 6,061 45 7,320 55 Grade 1 7,004 50 6,955 50 Grade 2 6,973 52 6,330 48 Grade 3 5,636 44 7,224 56

Total 29,441 48 31,260 52

Staffing The district set a mean goal of 22 students per teacher at Grades PK-3. The actual mean class sizes by grade are presented in Table 4. Survey results indicated that many teachers had teaching assistants and parent volunteers. The following highlights staffing patterns in the Early Childhood program:

• The district as a whole was well under the goal of a 22:1 students per teacher in Grades PK-3.

• Surveyed teachers had a mean of 20 students per class with a range of 12 to 26 students.

• Survey results indicated that in addition to lower than mandated class sizes, many teachers reported having assistants in the classroom (Table 5).

o All but one PK classroom had a teacher assistant for more than 15 hours per week.

o One Grade 3 teacher had a full-time teacher assistant, a parent volunteer 20 hours per week and community volunteer for 20 hours a week.

• Based on a 6-point Likert scale (1, disagree, to 6, agree), campus facilitators (teachers) and administrators perceptions varied with about half of administrators and teachers agreeing that they had enough bilingual teachers (mean rating for teachers was 4.5 with a standard deviation of 1.9, while the mean for principals was 4.8 with a standard deviation of 1.6).

Table 4

District Mean Class Size by Grade

Grade Mean SD Pre-Kindergarten 21 2.0 Kindergarten 19 3.0 Grade 1 19 2.9 Grade 2 19 3.2 Grade 3 19 3.2

3

Table 5

Number of Hours and Percentage of Classrooms with Assistance by Grade

PK K 1 2 3 Other Hours

per week N % N % N % N % N % N % Teacher Assistants

1-4 0 - 4 21 4 20 3 27 3 21 1 10 5-10 1 7 4 21 4 20 1 9 1 7 0 - 15-35 13 93 1 5 1 5 0 - 2 14 1 10

Parent Volunteers 1-4 3 21 5 26 3 15 2 18 1 7 2 20 5-10 1 7 2 10 2 10 0 - 0 - 0 - 15-35 3 21 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 7 0 -

Community Volunteers 1-4 1 7 2 10 6 30 3 27 1 7 0 - 5-10 0 - 2 10 1 5 1 9 1 7 0 - 15-35 1 7 1 5 0 - 1 9 1 7 1 10 Note. Other refers to MRT, multi-age or alternative school teachers.

Allocated Funds

Early Childhood Education is funded through several sources (Table 6) including Federal and State grants and private donors. Table 6 illustrates the following points:

• A total of $11,564,129 was allocated to the program.

• The majority-funding source for the program was a Prekindergarten Grant ($4,795,324).

Table 6

Source of Allocated Funds for Early

Childhood Education Source Amount Title I $1,208,612 Title II 87,971 Title III 50,000 Title V 230,807 Prekindergarten Expansion Grant 4,795,324 General Operating Fund 616,415 Even Start (2 Grants) 400,000 Private Donation 575,000

Total $11,564,129

Of the elementary schools that provide early childhood education, identify those with program facilitators and the programs and/or best practices, including but not limited to diagnostic and prescriptive approaches, used to deliver services.

Methodology

A sample of 88 principals/facilitators at campuses that provide Early Childhood Education services were surveyed to identify program components and best practices used to deliver

4

program services. Special emphases were placed on the percentage of time teachers spent in small group and individualized instruction.

Results

Best Practices

Tables 7-10 present the best practices used at Early Childhood campuses. The following points summarize the best practices identified across schools:

• The Early Childhood Education Department distributed a Model for Success best practices guide to all schools providing Early Childhood Education Services. The model uses balanced whole group and small group instruction for various instructional content. Students are to have access to a variety of learning and discovery centers and places for independent practice or differentiated tasks.

• Benchmark tests, TPRI/Tejas Lee and teacher-made tests, are the most often used diagnostic and prescriptive measures employed by the Early Childhood Education Department (Table 7).

• Across Grades PK – 3, assessment data are most frequently used to identify individual growth, form small groups, create lesson plans and reteach, respectively (Table 8).

• Across grades, the amount of instructional time spent in small and large groups is disproportionate:

o 41%-80% in large group instruction at Grades K-3 and 0-60% at Pre-K.

o 41%-80% in small group instruction at Grades Pre-K, K and 21-60% at Grades 1-3 (Table 9).

• Various learning centers are utilized in Early Childhood classrooms for students to experience independent work time and differentiated instruction (Table 10). The most frequently found centers were the classroom library, writing centers, and computer centers.

Table 7

Number and Percent of Assessments

Used for Diagnostic Purposes by Grade

Assessment Grade Number Percent Benchmark PK-3 54 62 TPRI or Tejas Lee K-3 51 58 Teacher-made PK-3 44 50 Open Court PK-3 17 19 Everyday Math K-3 16 18 Teacher Observation PK-3 16 18 Standardized tests 2, 3 13 15 Dial 3 PK 12 14

5

Table 8

Uses of Assessment Data by Grade

Data Use PK K 1 2 3 Other Total Assess growth 11 10 11 5 9 4 50 Form small groups 6 12 14 7 5 1 45 Create lesson plans 10 7 10 5 9 3 44 Reteach 2 8 10 7 9 2 38 Tutoring - 2 1 1 3 - 7

Note. Other refers to MRT, multi-age or alternative school teachers.

Table 9

Percent of Time Spent in Instructional Arrangements by Grade

PK K 1 2 3 Other Percent of Time N % N % N % N % N % N %

Large Group Instruction 0-20 3 27 0 - 1 5 1 10 1 7 5 63 21-40 3 27 4 25 3 16 1 10 1 7 0 - 41-60 4 36 6 38 4 21 3 30 7 50 3 38 61-80 1 9 5 31 10 53 5 50 3 21 0 - 81-100 0 - 1 6 1 5 0 - 2 14 0 -

Small Group Instruction 0-20 1 9 3 19 3 16 0 - 2 14 0 0 21-40 2 18 5 31 8 42 6 60 6 43 2 22 41-60 4 36 5 31 6 32 3 30 5 36 2 22 61-80 3 27 3 19 2 11 0 - 1 7 0 - 81-100 1 9 0 - 0 - 1 10 0 - 5 56 Note. Other refers to MRT, multi-age or alternative school teachers.

Table 10

Centers Utilized in Classrooms by Grade

Percent by Grade Total

Center PK K 1 2 3 Other N Computer 93 95 90 100 86 50 77 Blocks/construction 100 79 15 9 7 - 34 Art/creativity 93 84 45 55 21 20 49 Mathematics manipulatives 93 100 85 91 86 50 76 Classroom library 100 100 85 100 79 60 78 Science discovery 86 74 55 82 43 30 55 Writing 100 100 80 55 86 40 71 Phonics/reading games 64 90 80 73 50 40 61 Listening 71 95 80 91 57 20 64 Social Studies 50 42 40 82 36 30 40 Drama/puppets 93 53 20 18 7 10 31

Note. Other refers to MRT, multi-age or alternative school teachers.

6

Campus Facilitators

Of more that 3,500 teachers, a sample of 144 campus facilitators was surveyed. As illustrated in Table 11, a total 88 facilitators completed the survey resulting in a return rate of 64%. Survey results indicated the following: • Approximately half of the teachers have served as campus facilitators for two or more

years.

• All campuses providing Early Childhood Education services had a campus facilitator.

Table 11

Number of Campus Facilitators Responding

to Survey by Grade

Grade Number Pre-kindergarten (half-day) 5 Pre-kindergarten (full-day) 9 Kindergarten 19 Grade 1 20 Grade 2 11 Grade 3 14 Multi-age, LRT or alternative school 10

Total 88

What activities were employed by the Early Childhood Education Department and individual campuses to increase parental involvement and parent and teacher training?

Methodology

Principals/facilitators at all campuses that provide Early Childhood Education services were surveyed to identify parental involvement activities employed at each campus

Results

Parental Involvement

Table 12 presents the methods used by teachers and principals to increase parental involvement. The following points highlight the most frequently used methods to promote parental involvement:

• The most frequently used methods to increase parental involvement by teachers included parent meetings, workshops, PTA meetings, written notes, conferences and phone calls as needed.

• The most frequently used methods to increase parental involvement by principals included PTA meetings, SBDM meetings, Open Houses, classroom volunteers, parent centers and personal contacts.

PK teachers indicated that they had personally met 100% of their students’ parents.

Grade 2 teachers indicated that they had met about 50% of their students’ parents and Grades K-3 teachers had met about 80%.

Additional methods cited by principals included: IBM technology nights where parents study computer basics and receive a refurbished computer at courses’ end.

7

o Reading shelf in library for parents where they may check out books to use at home or read for information to assist children and literacy.

o Established the Monterrey Tech University program, which is a daily computer program for parents.

o Parent mentors. o Parent volunteers are compensated by grant money, which was written specifically to

fund this project. o Facilitator meetings – Parent Involvement materials distributed in the fall and spring.

Table 12

Teacher and Principal Activities to Increase Parent Involvement

Teacher Activity Frequency Conduct parent meetings, workshops, or PTA meetings 35 Write notes, have conferences or make phone calls as needed 31 Send projects, books, or activities to do at home 25 Regularly send newsletters, planners, or packets home 24 Have an open-door policy, give invitations to help, chaperone field trips 16 Assign homework that involves parents 13 Loan Virtual PK kits 6 Principal Activity PTA meetings and programs, SBDM meetings and Open Houses 36 Active classroom volunteer recruitment, parent center, personal contact 33 Family night where activity focuses on a core subject 24 Newsletters or weekly home/school communication packets with students’ work 20 Parent workshops with an activity or make and take session 16 Parenting classes with a speaker or counselor 16 Serve dinners, breakfasts or refreshments 13 Programs where students are performing 10 Door prizes or incentive for class with most parents present at a meeting 12 Adult education or ESL classes 5 Parent conference night 9 Dad’s club 4

Parent Training

Topics of training provided parents are listed in Table 13. The most frequent training topic for parents was “Tips to help children learn at home.”

Table 13

Frequency of Topics for Parent Training Sessions

Topic Frequency Tips to help children learn at home 55 Parenting and importance of parental involvement 14 TAKS information 12 Importance of early literacy 10 Family math night 10 Information about PK-3 curriculum 10 TEKS objectives and student expectations 8 Compliance issues for Early Childhood and No Child Left Behind 8 Family reading night 6 Homework help 5

8

Professional Development for Grades PK--3 Teachers

Table 14 lists the topics of training sessions provided Grades PK-3 teachers. The mean number of training sessions per campus was 3.8 with a range of 1 to 20 sessions. “Classroom instructional strategies” was the most often cited training topic.

Table 14

Topics for Grades PK-3 Teacher Training

Topic Frequency Classroom instructional strategies 83 Testing information and data analysis for TPRI and Benchmarks 22 Small group or differentiated instruction 21 Compliance issues for Early Childhood and No Child Left Behind 19 Improving parental involvement 8 Standardized test-taking strategies 5 Vertical team planning 5 OASIS training 3

Were written curricula, along with supporting curriculum guides and materials, available at each campus?

Methodology

Principals and teachers at all campuses that provide Early Childhood Education services were surveyed to identify the existence of curricula and supporting documents.

Results

• 97% of administrators indicated that they had a copy of both the Mathematics and Reading Curriculum for Grade PK-3.

• About 95% of surveyed principals indicated that their teachers had Reading and Mathematics Curriculum Guides, including scope and sequence, Teacher Edition texts and expanded curriculum.

• Almost 90% of teachers had a written curriculum (Scope and Sequence) and expanded curriculum for every content area they teach. Those who did not have a hard copy stated they could get one on-line.

• 88% of principals indicated that their teachers had sufficient reading and mathematics materials available.

• 90% or more of Grades 1-3 teachers used Open Court the majority of the time to teach Reading/Language Arts.

• One third of Grades 2-3 teachers also used the Harcourt Language book. PK teachers listed LEAP materials as their main source for reading activities.

• Slightly less (84%) used Open Court in Kindergarten, choosing instead to use McGraw-Hill.

• Leveled books and literature were also mentioned as a source for teaching reading.

• The Early Childhood Department asks teachers to construct lessons plans using the OASIS computer system: 61% of the teachers have access in their classroom.

9

• All Grade 2 teachers plan at grade level while about 75% of teachers in Grades K-3 conduct grade-level planning meetings.

• Discussions and interactions, songs, poems, rhymes or chants, and read aloud or shared reading were the most often used methods to develop oral language skills (Table 15).

• Write Direction/Write Direction activities and journals are the most often used methods of teaching writing skills (Table 16).

• Principals indicated that teachers at their school had sufficient materials to support bilingual instruction, 70% stated that all teachers had 100% of what was needed.

Table 15

Activities Used to Develop Oral Language by Grade

Percent by Grade Total

Activity PK K 1 2 3 Other N Discussions and interactions 71 89 55 64 79 20 58 Choral reading 21 21 15 27 7 10 15 Open Court or phonics activity 7 42 35 36 43 50 31 Modeling or listening centers 29 21 15 18 21 40 20 Songs, poems, rhymes or chants 50 63 30 36 21 20 34 Drama or puppets 7 21 5 9 21 - 10 Read aloud or shared reading 36 37 30 18 36 10 26 Individual presentation 7 11 15 9 29 - 10 Note. Other refers to MRT, multi-age or alternative school teachers.

Table 16

Methods of Teaching Writing Skills by Grade

Percent by Grade Total Method PK K 1 2 3 Other N Write Direction - 11 25 27 29 20 16 Write Direction activity 93 100 85 100 100 30 80 Journals 71 58 55 64 29 - 43 Modeling 14 21 20 18 14 10 14 Open Court lessons 7 16 10 36 14 10 13 Morning or daily message 14 42 5 - - 10 12 Writing center or word wall activity 21 32 5 - - 10 11 Develop fine motor skills 57 5 5 - - - 10 Note. Other refers to MRT, multi-age or alternative school teachers.

10

Identify achievement levels of early childhood students by analyzing passing rates on norm- and criterion-referenced tests.

Methodology

Grade 3 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) Reading passing rates were

disaggregated by ethnicity, LEP, special education and lunch status. Results of the English and

Spanish tests were combined. Reading data include the February and March administration.

Grades K – 3 ITBS and Logramos Reading comprehension Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE) and

NCE gain scores also were analyzed. The effects of gender, ethnicity, special education status,

limited English proficiency, family income level (based on free- and reduced-lunch status) and

pretest (if appropriate) were removed using a multiple regression procedure by grade. Because

2003 ITBS or Logramos pretest scores were a necessary variable for most analyses, only

students with on-level pre- and posttests were included. The multiple regression design was

used to control statistically for any initial differences in the students that might have been present.

Adjusted (residualized) scores were saved and used in the analyses.

NCE scores have a mean of 50, which is equivalent to the 50th percentile on

norm-referenced tests. Nevertheless, NCEs cannot be interpreted as percentiles because NCEs

form an equal-interval scale, whereas percentiles do not. Gain scores were computed by

subtracting spring 2004 ITBS or Logramos NCE scores from spring 2003 scores that were

extracted from the district’s test databases.

Analyzing NCE gains always poses questions about the significance of the gains or

losses. Wilde and Sockey (1995) summarized the meaning of changes in NCEs for students at

risk of educational failure.

• A drop in Normal Curve Equivalents often reflects the expected pattern, especially for students in upper grades. These students are behind their peers and continue to fall farther behind. A drop in scores could indicate an ineffective program, or it could reflect the presence of some other “negative” variable.

• No change indicates that students have made progress at the same rate as their “not-at-risk” peers. They are maintaining their level of achievement.

• A gain in scores shows considerable progress. The students are catching up to their grade-level peers. This greater than expected achievement could be due to the program or could be due to the presence of some other “positive” variable.

Mean student growth is considered to be significant if the increase or decrease in the

NCE is greater than 3. Scores within the range -3 ≤ x ≥ +3 are consistent with national growth

expectations, approximately one year of growth for one year of instruction.

11

Results

TAKS

• A high percentage of Grade 3 students passed both the reading and math portions of the TAKS test. Across all ethnicities, 89% passed Reading, and 83% passed Math (Table 17).

Table 17

Number and Percent of Grade 3 Students Passing TAKS Reading and Mathematics

by Demographic Variables

Demographic Reading Mathematics Variable Number Percent Number Percent African American 2,986 90 2,727 80 Asian 130 96 139 94 Hispanic 6,233 87 6,147 84 American Indian 30 94 28 88 White 613 98 619 94

Total 9,992 89 9,650 83 Other Variables Limited English 3,901 83 3,901 80 Advantaged 1,474 95 1,438 90 Disadvantaged 8,518 88 8,212 82 Special Education 231 74 315 65 Note. Tests in English and Spanish were combined for reporting. Reading results include the February and March administrations.

ITBS and Logramos

• Kindergarten students scored well above the mean of 50 in both reading (67.41) and math (68.37) (Table 18).

• Students in Grades 1 and 2 achieved above a mean of 50 in both academic areas.

• Grade 3 students were slightly below 50 in reading (45.58), but scored higher in math (53.36)

12

Table 18

Grades K-3 ITBS and Logramos Reading and Mathematics Adjusted Normal Curve Equivalent Scores by Grade

Grade Number Mean SD

Reading Comprehension Kindergarten 11,737 67.41 3.5 Grade 1 8,999 56.96 9.0 Grade 2 8,347 54.50 15.2 Grade 3 8,548 45.58 12.9

Mathematics Total Kindergarten 12,171 68.37 4.7 Grade 1 10,256 53.85 11.4 Grade 2 10,271 54.96 14.9 Grade 3 10,207 53.36 14.1 Note. Tests in English and Spanish were combined for reporting. SD = Standard Deviation. The larger the SD, the more diversified the responses.

Analysis of reading NCE scores showed the following:

• Ethnic groups showed similar mean NCE scores in Grades Kindergarten and 3 (Table 19).

• Mean scores for students in Grades 1 and 2 were above 50; however, Hispanic students scored the highest (means = 58.59 and 56.46, Grades 1 and 2, respectively).

• Looking at “other variables,” Kindergarten students maintained the highest mean score (more than 65.36), then scores fell off each year with Grade 3 having the lowest mean score (45.58 in all categories).

• Although scores have been adjusted for LEP, the Limited English proficient students in Grades 1 and 2 had higher mean scores than students in other categories.

Math NCE scores did not follow the same pattern as reading of declining scores by grade level.

• Kindergarten students in all ethnicities scored means of 66.53 or above.

• Scores were lower for Grade 1, and then increased in Grades 2 and 3.

• Students disaggregated by “other variables” likewise had scores above the mean of 50.

• Limited English proficient students scored higher than their counterparts in Grades Kindergarten – 2.

• Disadvantaged students scored better than the advantaged in those same grades.

13

Table 19

Grades K-3 ITBS and Logramos Reading and Mathematics Adjusted Normal Curve Equivalent Scores

by Ethnicity and Other Variables

Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Demographic Variables N Mean SD N Mean SD N Mean SD N Mean SD

Reading Comprehension African American 3,304 69.02 2.5 2,986 54.61 7.8 2,768 51.70 14.5 3,052 45.58 13.3 Asian 129 69.15 2.0 94 55.14 6.6 106 52.41 14.2 124 45.93 12.4 Hispanic 7,585 66.53 3.7 5,310 58.59 9.4 4,886 56.46 15.5 4,789 45.58 12.3 American Indian 21 67.71 3.5 30 53.49 6.8 23 50.39 14.4 27 43.96 12.8 White 698 69.01 2.5 579 54.62 7.7 564 51.70 13.7 556 45.58 15.3 Other Variables Limited English 4,916 65.36 3.5 3,565 60.50 9.5 3,497 58.34 15.4 2,269 45.58 12.1 Advantaged 1,657 68.57 2.8 1,288 55.24 7.7 1,289 52.30 14.0 1,329 45.58 13.9 Disadvantaged 10,080 67.21 3.5 7,711 57.25 9.1 7,058 54.89 15.4 7,219 45.58 12.7 Special Ed. 322 67.87 3.3 421 56.11 8.8 485 53.55 17.2 657 45.58 13.5

Mathematics Total African American 3,351 66.90 4.6 3,026 51.29 10.8 2,878 53.31 14.1 2,966 54.57 15.0 Asian 130 67.20 4.1 94 52.07 8.5 109 54.45 14.0 124 55.43 15.8 Hispanic 7,954 69.14 4.6 6,522 55.30 11.6 6,676 55.85 15.4 6,549 52.69 13.6 American Indian 21 65.50 4.8 29 49.50 10.1 25 49.63 13.7 27 50.45 17.2 White 715 66.93 4.1 585 51.32 9.9 583 53.28 12.6 541 54.50 14.0 Other Variables Limited English 5,206 70.16 4.2 4,665 56.90 11.8 5,232 56.55 15.6 3,851 51.75 13.8 Advantaged 1,725 67.35 4.5 1,373 51.99 10.2 1,401 53.69 13.8 1,396 54.19 13.3 Disadvantaged 10,446 68.54 4.7 8,883 54.13 11.6 8,870 55.16 15.1 8,811 53.23 14.1 Special Ed. 341 67.96 5.0 463 52.99 12.8 555 54.57 14.9 588 53.54 17.4 Note. Tests in English and Spanish were combined for reporting. SD = Standard Deviation. The larger the SD, the more diversified the responses.

Adjusted NCE gain scores were highest in Grade 2 for reading and math (Table 20). The

negative mean scores indicate that students scored higher last school year on the ITBS and

Logramos than this year. Standard deviations demonstrated the wide range of scores for

individual students.

Table 20

Grades K-3 ITBS and Logramos Reading and Mathematics Adjusted Normal Curve Equivalent Gain Scores by Grade

Grade Number Mean SD

Reading Comprehension Grade 1 8,438 -10.75 19.9 Grade 2 7,840 -0.55 15.4 Grade 3 7,924 -4.03 12.5

Mathematics Total Grade 1 6,768 -14.21 17.7 Grade 2 7,155 2.39 17.1 Grade 3 8,064 -9.83 13.5 Note. Tests in English and Spanish were combined for reporting. SD = Standard Deviation. The larger the SD, the more diversified the responses.

14

15

• Students in Grade 2 showed slight gains in reading comprehension, but considerable

gains in math (Table 21).

• Grade 3 students had significant negative NCE gains in both reading and math. African American students had the most significant losses, particularly in mathematics (mean = -11.79).

• Grade 1 adjusted NCE gain scores appeared to have the largest negative gain. However, as was demonstrated with the 2004 scores, Kindergarten scores were among the highest, creating a more difficult challenge to have positive gain scores in Grade 1.

Table 21

Grades K-3 ITBS and Logramos Reading and Mathematics Adjusted Normal Curve Equivalent Gain Scores

by Ethnicity and Other Variables

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Ethnicity N Mean SD N Mean SD N Mean SD

Reading Comprehension African American 2,826 -15.29 19.3 2,593 -2.66 15.0 2,849 -6.14 12.8 Asian 94 -8.59 16.7 105 1.35 14.4 120 0.50 12.0 Hispanic 4,949 -8.29 19.9 4,589 0.24 15.7 4,408 -3.41 11.7 American Indian 29 -14.53 17.6 22 -2.01 14.2 26 -0.44 12.7 White 540 -9.67 19.5 531 5.58 14.1 521 0.99 14.8 Other Variables Limited English 3,315 -5.01 19.4 3,274 1.18 61.0 1,998 -3.62 11.5 Advantaged 1,246 -9.11 14.2 1,243 1.39 14.2 1,280 -0.98 13.4 Disadvantaged 7,192 -11.03 20.2 6,597 -0.92 15.6 6,644 -4.62 12.2 Special Ed. 369 -23.28 19.7 349 -5.71 17.4 368 -10.14 12.9

Mathematics Total African American 2,988 -16.05 18.5 2,783 0.21 16.9 2,859 -11.79 14.4 Asian 93 -10.56 14.9 108 9.85 17.0 118 -3.77 13.7 Hispanic 3,087 -13.65 16.8 3,686 2.94 17.2 4,555 -9.08 12.8 American Indian 28 -15.05 19.2 23 2.88 15.1 26 -10.19 15.8 White 572 -8.19 17.2 555 8.26 15.0 506 -6.97 13.4 Other Variables Limited English 1,303 -13.89 15.9 2,294 3.25 17.1 2,119 -9.53 13.3 Advantaged 1,231 -10.90 17.0 1,267 5.53 16.4 1,288 -7.97 12.8 Disadvantaged 5,537 -14.95 17.8 5,888 1.72 17.1 6,776 -10.19 13.6 Special Ed. 302 -19.14 21.7 262 -0.36 15.5 208 -13.19 13.8 Note. Tests in English and Spanish were combined for reporting. SD = Standard Deviation. The larger the SD, the more diversified the responses.

Outcome information for Pre-kindergarten students can be found in the Final Evaluation of the 2003-04 Prekindergarten Expansion Grant report. (REIS04-171-2).