Data sgp is a new tool that allows educators to better understand student performance and growth. Data sgp provides a snapshot of how students performed on the most recent MCAS test and how they have grown relative to their previous scores. It also allows educators to identify students who are likely not on track to meet their achievement targets. These students can then be targeted for further instruction and assistance in reaching their goals.
The first step in using data sgp is to prepare the data. This is a time intensive process that requires careful and consistent data cleaning to ensure accurate results. Once the data is prepared, the analysis can be conducted quickly. Our data tools are designed to make this process as simple as possible. The podcasts below will walk you through the process of preparing and analyzing your data.
To calculate a student’s SGP, MDE compares the performance of a student in a particular subject to that of academic peers who have taken the same tests. Students with similar performance levels are grouped together by grade and subject and then statistical procedures (such as quantile regression) are used to place the group’s average on a normative scale. This comparison makes it possible to identify a student’s percentile rank on the MCAS test. The resulting SGP is then displayed on the student’s report card and BAA Secure Site.
SGPs are calculated based on up to two years of historical MCAS test score data for each student (4th – 11th grade). Unlike standard proficiency tables that summarize achievement levels across the state, SGPs show how students perform in comparison to their academic peers – this is often referred to as “growth percentiles.” Academic peers are identified from the entire state population within the same subject and grade level and include all demographic groups (e.g., gender, income) as well as educational programs (e.g., sheltered English immersion).
In addition to the ability to view student growth trends, SGPs can be used by schools and districts to monitor and evaluate teacher performance. Educators can also use SGPs to identify areas where additional training and professional development is needed to improve teaching and learning.
SGPs are not intended to replace educator evaluations and should only be used for purposes that are consistent with the current state laws. The law currently only requires the use of SGPs for high stakes educators in 2018/19. Until then, we encourage schools and districts to familiarize themselves with the new data by exploring the many interactive data tools available on the BAA Secure Site. This will provide valuable practice in interpreting the data before SGPs are used for high stakes educator evaluations. Click here for more information on how to utilize these new tools. We have also created a list of frequently asked questions to help you get started using the new data. We will continue to add to this list as questions are submitted.