Tuesday, September 8, 2009

High school students at "below basic"

On the August post about trends in high school achievement, Anonymous wrote:

"Looking at only the % of kids that are advanced or proficient does not take into account whether or not kids are progressing from below basic to basic. Increasing percentages of advanced kids could still mean a growing achievement gap if the below basic kids aren't taken into account also."

This was an interesting question and so PURE graphed the trend in the portion of students at the below basic level for the classes of 2005 through 2010. Again the approach is longitudinal, showing the percentage of students in these classes at the below basic level in grade 8 and again in grade 11. Results are in the bottom two graphs at http://www.purereform.com/PSSA8to11.html and show a recent increase in students at the below basic level.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

PSSA and AYP results for 2008-09

Results can be found at:

http://www.pde.state.pa.us/a_and_t/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=150034

AYP reading target met through new "growth model"

From today's PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09246/995324-100.stm

The article reports that for the grade 3-5 span the district easily met the math target without any special allowances, but that for reading AYP was met based on a new "growth model" measurement created by the state.

State audit of CTE curriculum

From today's PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09246/995219-298.stm

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

"106 ways parents can help students achieve"

One of PURE Reform's core values is parent engagement.

In recognition of the start of a new PPS year tomorrow, here is a link to a list of "106 ways parents can help students achieve." The publication points out that between birth and age 18 children spend just 9% of their time in school and notes that after decades of research, "the link between parental involvement and higher student achievement is undeniable."

This list was brought to our attention earlier this year by one of the PURE blog's commentators. Please post any additions to the list or comments that are especially relevant to PPS.

http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/15/f7/d8.pdf

PPS classroom and school blogs

On the September "Start a new post," Mark Rauterkus wrote:


Where are the best classroom and school blogs in PPS?http://movingforward.wikispaces.com/Post them above.

September 2, 2009 8:27 AM

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Start a new post; search PURE Reform's blog

To start a new post, reply to this post with your question, comment or suggestion for a new topic. The adminstrator will then start a new post with your topic as a title.You can post anonymously if you prefer. Click on "post a comment". Type in the word you see for word verification. Choose how you would like to be identified in the post click "publish your comment".

To search PURE Reform's blog, use the "search function on the upper left of the blog.