MCAS 2007 Grade 10 ELA – Math – Science & Technology

MCAS Graduation Requirements Graduating Class Required Tests 2008 & 2009ELA & Math 2010 & 2011ELA, Math, & Science 2012ELA, Math, Science, & Social Studies

High School Initiatives  Continue writing across the curriculum. –Research-based assignments in each class –Coordinated writing with transferable skills –Vocabulary development  Administer Mock MCAS –Knowledge/skills reinforced on daily basis  Demonstrate a strong work ethic.

 Provide targeted professional development. –Vocabulary Development in the Content Area –Reading in the Content Area –Study Skills in the Content Area  Require curricular rigor. –New courses—A.P. Statistics, Understanding Genocide –Raise standards, required summer reading, math & science packets –Modify curriculum and sequence High School Initiatives

 Re-establish Academic Center (September 2007)  Emphasize core values – respect, responsibility, commitment and performance.  Utilize common assessments to guide instruction and improve student performance  Continue analysis of data  Continue curricular adjustments High School Initiatives

2007 Science — Biology 73% Proficiency Index

2007 Science — Biology

Student Cohort Science 8 th Grade Biology 2007

71% Proficiency Index 2007 Science — Chemistry

 Outstanding Biology & Chemistry results –Chemistry of Life & Taxonomy  Alignment of curriculum with state standards  Instructional expertise  Improved performance on open response questions (4 point scale per question) Science Strengths

 Continue to improve open response questions  Continue improvement: –Human anatomy & physiology Digestive system Homeostasis –Genetics –Stoicheometry  Continue science vocabulary program Science Concerns

 Biology MCAS Handbook Biology MCAS Handbook –MCAS vocabulary list and definitions –Tips on how to study vocabulary –Strategies to answer open-response essays and multiple choice questions.  Biology MCAS Practice Tests Biology MCAS Practice Tests –MCAS questions sorted by subject content areas –Unit tests, sample MCAS tests, or review for final exam. Science Improvement Plan MCAS student handbook and MCAS practice tests are posted on Blackboard

Dedham High School / State Results ELA & MATH

76% Proficiency Index 2007 Grade 10 — ELA

Grade 10 — ELA

ELA Grade 10 Cohort

AREASOLID PERFORMANCE Reading Passages Fiction Language Arts Sentence Fluency Vocabulary Affixes & Context Poetry Literal Meaning ELA Strengths

AREACONCERNS Reading PassagesNon-fiction, theme, main idea Language ArtsPunctuation VocabularyMultiple meanings, connotation PoetryInterpretation ELA Concerns

Students’ Response 80% or less80% or more Vocabulary Questions

Students’ Response 80% or less80% or more Poetry Questions

 Target the structure of nonfiction through reading and writing assignments  Continue the vocabulary program  Emphasize student responsibility for assigned work  Provide precise teacher feedback on student work  Develop lessons incorporating best practices in grammar instruction ELA Improvement Plan

85% Proficiency Index 2007 Grade 10 — Math

Grade 10 — Math

Math Grade 10 Cohort

 Sustained 2006 improvement in “advanced”  Improved proficiency index % % %  Adjusted Algebra & Geometry curriculum  Provide grant supported after school program Math Strengths

 Target students for MCAS course  Master MCAS mathematics vocabulary  Continue curricular adjustments  Examine course sequencing  Apply math/problem-solving skills for open response questions  Support students transitioning to DHS Math Concerns

 Continue to analyze student placement and performance data  Continue MCAS course  Accelerate placement in Grade 9, Algebra 1 Enhanced  Continue development and use of common assessments  Identify key concepts & problems from previous MCAS test Math Improvement Plan