Math SOL Test ChangesSchool Board Work Session

March 8, 2012

New Standards

Math Standards of Learning were adopted in Spring 2009 to reflect increased rigor from K-12.

Teachers were expected to teach two sets of standards in the 2010-11 school year.

This year only the 2009 Standards are being taught and assessed.

New Assessment

The new SOL assessments are being used this year at grades 3-8 and High School End of Course

Multiple Choice items will reflect increased rigor (multiple concepts, higher level of thinking)

Technolgy Enhanced Items Graphing Hot Spot (more than one right answer) Fill-in-the-blank Drag and Drop

What do some items look like?

Elementary

Standard: 4.13 The student will a) predict the likelihood of an outcome of a simple event; and b) represent probability as a number between 0 and 1, inclusive.

Previous Test Item

New Test Item

Middle School

Standard: 6.14 The student, given a problem situation, will a) construct circle graphs; b) draw conclusions and make predictions, using circle graphs; and c) compare and contrast graphs that present information from the same data set.

Previous Test Item

New Test Item

High School Algebra I

Standard: A.7 The student will investigate and analyze function (linear and quadratic) families and their characteristics both algebraically and graphically, including a) determining whether a relation is a

function; b) domain and range; c) zeros of a function; d) x- and y-intercepts; …

Previous Test Item

New Test Item

Pass-Rate Changes

The State views these tests and the results as “a new trend-line in mathematics student achievement”.

Predicted pass rate drops from 30-40%.

Cut scores are being developed as students take the test.

Algebra II Advanced Pass designation now designated “College Ready”.

End of Semester Results

State pass rates:

ACPS pass rates

Test Fall 2011 Fall 2010

Algebra I 49.2% 84.1%

Geometry 63.0% 78.5%

Algebra II 53.7% 84.5%

Test Fall 2011 Fall 2010

Algebra I 43.3% 58.1%

Geometry 79% 82.5%

Algebra II 57% 82.1%

Some Clarifying Points

186 students tested in Alg. II 12 were “College-ready” (No state average available).

Scores in Fall 2011 only come from Monticello and Murray.

State averages in Algebra I are harder to compare due to middle school Algebra I policies across the State.

Next Steps

Communication

State Practice items and resources

Teacher Collaboration

Updating Testing Logistics

Take- Aways

The actual items on the test are more aligned with our ACPS values than previous tests.

The pass rates are primarily determined by the state cut scores – which are being set in order to begin a new trend line.

We are working diligently on communication, internal and external, in order to clarify what new scores mean, and how we can best prepare our students for May.

Additional Take-aways or Questions?