MCAS 2007

Grade 10

ELA – Math – Science & Technology

MCAS Graduation Requirements

Graduating Class Required Tests

2008 & 2009 ELA & Math

2010 & 2011 ELA, Math, & Science

2012 ELA, 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

2007 Science — Biology

Student Cohort Science8th Grade 2005 + Biology 2007

Student Cohort Science 8th Grade 2005 + Biology 2007

4

32

52

1312

54

29

4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Advanced Proficient Needs Improvement Warning

Per

form

ance

cat

ego

ries

2005 8th graders

2007 10th graders

71% Proficiency Index

2007 Science — Chemistry

2007 Science — Chemistry

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)2006 2007

1.65 2.36

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– 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– 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

2007 Grade 10 — ELA

Grade 10 — ELA

Grade 10 — ELA

ELA Grade 10 Cohort

AREA SOLID PERFORMANCE

Reading Passages Fiction

Language Arts Sentence Fluency

Vocabulary Affixes & Context

Poetry Literal Meaning

ELA Strengths

AREA CONCERNS

Reading Passages Non-fiction, theme, main idea

Language Arts Punctuation

Vocabulary Multiple meanings,

connotation

Poetry Interpretation

ELA Concerns

Students’ Response

80% or less 80% or more

2001 13 4

2007 8 11

Vocabulary Questions

Students’ Response

80% or less 80% or more

2001 8 3

2007 9 8

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

2007 Grade 10 — Math

Grade 10 — Math

Grade 10 — Math

Math Grade 10 Cohort

Sustained 2006 improvement in “advanced” Improved proficiency index

2005 67%

2006 77%

2007 85%

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