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3.6 Test Scores Used to Inform Instruction Test scores are used to identify gaps in curriculum or between groups of students for instructional implications. 
Suggested Evidence
Related Resources Tools The Achievement Gap: Is Your School Helping All Students Succeed? This article is written for parents who are selecting a school for their children; it presents specific questions to ask the principal about issues of equity as well as what to look for when you visit the school. The questions in this article can be used by principals and all educators to assess their own schools. Author: Victoria Thorp Publisher: GreatSchools.Net Articles NEW! Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas: Getting to the Core of Middle and High School Improvement This report contends that increased expectations are best met by providing added instruction that corresponds with the specific reading and writing requirements of each academic course in middle and high school. Author: Rafael Heller and Cynthia Greenleaf Publication Date: 2007 Publisher: Alliance for Excellent Education Assessing Student Progress with a Rubric In this article, the authors discuss the benefits of using rubrics in the classroom, and how these rubrics can be used as formative assessment instruments. Author: Harry and Rosemary Wong Publication Date: 2006, October Publisher: Teacher.Net Gazette Assessment Through the Student's Eyes The article addresses the use and purposes of assessment in U.S. education in the early 21st century. The author explains that assessment for learning involves sharing information with students, discussing goals, and providing descriptive feedback to improve performance. Author: Rick Stiggins Publication Date: 2007 Publisher: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Closing the Achievement Gap: How Schools Are Making It Happen This article includes a discussion of some approaches that are getting results, the influence of teacher attitudes, the impact of student attitudes and resource disparities. The article also provides links to organizations dealing with this issue and a list of additional readings. Author: Robert Rothman Publication Date: Winter 2001/2002 Closing the Achievement Gap: Principles for Improving the Educational Success of All Students. This article reviews policies and practices that have been effective in closing the achievement gap. Author: Wendy Schwartz Publication Date: December 2001 Publisher: ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education Helping Students Understand Assessment This article states that formative assessments promote learning when they help students address where they are going, where are they now, and they how can close that gap. Author: Jan Chappuis Publication Date: 2005 Publisher: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Including At-Risk Students in Standards-Based Reform This report is a resource for developing effective strategies to address at-risk student needs, both through professional development and instructional practices. Publication Date: November, 1999 Publisher: Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning Perspectives on the Gaps: Fostering the Academic Success of Minority and Low-Income Students This report focuses on the theme of closing the achievement gap. Issues addressed include why the achievement gap persists, how stereotypes can affect academic performance (based on gender, race, or class), and why data and professional development are important factors in closing the gap. Author: Ray Legler, Ph.D. Publication Date: 2004 Publisher: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) Raising the Achievement of Low-Performing Students A synthesis of more than 300 research reports and documents. This policy brief identifies some causes of low performance among marginalized students and presents research-based suggestions for local and state decision-makers about how to help teachers improve the academic achievement of these students. Author: Bryan Goodwin Publication Date: May, 2000 Publisher: Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning Strategies that Close the Gap (to edit this resource, contact WestEd) This article describes strategies used by teachers to (1) emphasize reading skills, (2) focus on higher-order thinking skills, (3) routinely reteach using a different approach, (4) frequently call on students randomly, and (5) get students emotionally involved. Author: Bell, L.I. Publication Date: 2002, December/2003, January Publisher: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Testament to Testing Schools Close 'Achievement Gap' by Pinpointing Trouble Spots with Frequent Assessments This article describes a study of 32 schools in the San Francisco area that looked at gaps in achievement. The practice of frequently testing students to diagnose student needs and modifying instructional practice based on the test results was identified as an effective strategy for closing the achievement gap. Author: Nanette Assimov Publication Date: December 2003 Publisher: San Francisco Chronicle Using Scientifically Based Research to Guide Educational Decisions The No Child Left Behind Act requires educational practices to be based on scientifically based research. This research brief spotlights how educators can use scientifically based research to guide teaching practices, curriculum, and school-wide programs. Author: Jonathan Margolin and Beth Buchler Publication Date: 2004 Publisher: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) Using Student-Involved Classroom Assessment to Close Achievement Gaps The authors argue that in order to reduce achievement score gaps, we must advocate rebalancing assessment priorities to bring classroom assessment into the equation. Author: Rick Stiggins and Jan Chappuis Publication Date: 2005 Publisher: Theory into Practice Useful Links Closing the Achievement Gap – Selected Research & Readings This website includes articles and reports on closing the achievement gaps. There are also links to related issues including: at risk, student achievement, remediation, minority/diversity issues and student achievement. Publisher: Education Commission of the States The Center for Social Organization of Schools: Data Use This website, designed by the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Texas, provides resources on data-driven decision-making, including reviews of software for analyzing student data. Publisher: University of Texas Other Resources Bridging the Achievement Gap This book describes a variety of schools and school reforms that are closing the achievement gap. A sample chapter can be read online. The chapter includes brief descriptions of successful schools in California, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Texas. This book can be ordered online. Author: John E. Chub and Tom Loveless, eds ©2005 WestEd. All rights reserved.  |
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