greenwich public schools advanced learning program ... · appeal process the possible appeal...

Greenwich Public Schools

Advanced Learning Program

Placement Assessments:What Do They Tell Me About My Child?

December 7, 2016

9:30 am Cos Cob Library

6:30 pm Board of Education Bonnie O’Regan

Advanced Learning Program Facilitator

Can we review the tests to see how my child responded to the questions?

How can my child be above the 95th percentile compared to their grade and

still not be placed in ALP?

My child gets mostly 4s on their report card why weren’t they placed in ALP?

What scores are used for ALP placement?

My child does his homework very easily, how do I know he/she is being challenged in the classroom?

What can I do to help my child?

How did the committee determine placement in ALP?

What happens if I submit an Appeal?Should I submit an Appeal?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is best for this child?

What is best for this child?

What is best for this child?

What is best for this

child?

What is best for this child?

Child-Centered

What is best for this child?

AnxietyZone

Learning Zone

Comfort Zone

Advanced Learning Program Overview

Grade 2

Enrichment

Reading

Math

Grades 3-5

Advanced

Academics

Reading

Math

Enrichment

Science

Grades 6-8

Advanced

Academics

• Language Arts

Enrichment

• Seminar

Middle School

Advanced Academics

overseen by program

administrators

• Math

• Science

• Foreign Language

Placement Process

Referral Phase Evaluation Phase Placement Phase

Ability

Valid and Reliable

picture of student

achievementAchievement Performance

Triangulation in ALP Placement Process

No one score on any one measure determines placement.

Ability, Achievement and Performance are

different aspects of cognitive development

Ability – reasoning abilities that are developed indirectly

through instruction that challenges students to think in new

ways (fluid reasoning abilities)

Achievement – knowledge and skills specifically taught in schools (crystallized abilities)

Performance – a student’s ability to integrate knowledge

and skills

Cognitive Abilities Test

(CogAT)(general cognitive abilities and reasoning skills)

• Comprehending problem situations

• Detecting similarities and differences

• Making inferences

• Making deductions

• Classifying and categorizing objects, events, and other stimuli

• Creating and adapting problem-solving strategies

• Using familiar concepts and skills in new contexts

Standard Age Score (SAS)

The CogAT allows comparisons of the performance of students with the

performance of other students in the nation of the same age who took the

same test.

Computer Adaptive Tests

Adjusts items administered based on student responses and

difficulty of items

Designed to be as efficient as possible

STAR Reading Enterprise test in about 15 minutes

STAR Math Enterprise test in about 20 minutes

Scaled Score is the KEY metric

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Scale

Score

Grade

STAR Scaled Scores at the 99th Percentile

Grades 1-10

STAR Reading

STAR Math

Performance Tasks(integration of knowledge and skills)

Tasks require students demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and strategies to generate their own responses.

Portfolio Assembled

No one score on any one measure determines eligibility.

Ability Achievement Performance Behaviors/

Characteristics

Building Advisory Committee

Classroom Teacher(s)

ALP Teacher(s)

ALPFacilitator

Building Administrator

Discuss educational needs of every student

“What is best for this

child?”

AnxietyZone

Learning Zone

Comfort Zone

Learners with Advanced Potential

Advanced Potential

Demonstrated high

performance

Prodigies

Above grade achievers

Learners with Advanced Potential

Advanced Potential

Underdeveloped performance

Twice-exceptional

Low-SES

Underachievers

Culturally/ linguistically diverse

Advanced Potential

Demonstrated high

performance

Prodigies

Above grade achievers

Underdevelopedperformance

Twice-exceptional

Low-SES

Culturally/linguistically diverse

Underachievers

Supports (self, family, school)

Inhibitors (self, family, school)

Learners with Advanced Potential

Placement recommendation

Our goal is the most appropriate academic placement

possible to ensure success for your child's educational

experience in the Greenwich Public School District.

The team does not determine if a student is “gifted” or

“not gifted.”

Rather, it identifies students who would benefit most

from supplementary services.

How can I help my child?

Promote exploration and discovery.

Emphasize effort and progress rather than perfection.

Show your child how errors can be opportunities to discover and learn.

Model positive ways to address setbacks and solve problems.

Appeal ProcessAppeals Process

A parent of a student may make request for an appeal.

The Committee is looking for additional information that was not available to

them at the time of the Building Advisory Committee meeting.

The application for appeal is available on the Forms tab of the district

Advanced Learning Program portion of the website

The application for appeal can be completed online or in hard copy delivered

to the school office by December 16, 2016.

Building Advisory Committee

Classroom Teacher(s)

ALP Teacher(s)

ALPFacilitator

Building Administrator

Discuss educational needs of student with additional information that

was not available to them at the time of the Building Advisory

Committee meeting.

“What is best for this

child?”

Appeal Process The possible appeal committee recommendations are

Placement is accurate: there is no evidence to indicate incorrect placement.

There is reason to believe that further testing is necessary.

On the basis of accompanying documentation and new information gleaned during the

appeal process, the student will be placed in the advanced course.

Parents will be notified in writing of the final placement decision for appeals by

December 23, 2016.

The appeals decision will be final for the 2016-2017 school year.

Placement Process

Contact Me

Bonnie_O’Regan@greenwich.k12.ct.us

Administrative Assistant:

Robyn_Byron@greenwich.k12.ct.us

203-625-7462 (hours 8:30 – 1:30 M-F)

Test Security

Placement Tests are SECURE materials.

No tests are to be retained at the district or school level.

For security reasons, tests may be viewed on only two

occasions:

1. When students are taking an assessment

2. When educators are reviewing Item Analysis Reports