MCAS Data – Data SGP
Data SGP is one of the tools included with the SGP package for analyzing MCAS data. Users can utilize this tool to examine SGPs and SGP trajectories at student, teacher, district, and school levels; compare SGPs over time; calculate them using up to two years’ of historical MCAS test scores as projections for student performance over the coming few years; this information allows teachers and administrators to assess what is going well and where improvements may be necessary to increase student outcomes.
To calculate an SGP, a student’s scaled MCAS score from this year is compared with that of their academic peers who scored similarly on previous MCAS exams. Academic peers can be identified through grade level, demographic group (e.g. gender or income), educational program or educational experience (e.g. sheltered English immersion). A statistical process known as quantile regression puts performances of academic peers on a normative scale-allowing us to identify each student’s percentile rank within their grade level.
An SGP measures how rapidly or gradually a student’s performance has changed over time. It can also serve as an indication of how far away current performance is from proficiency; using this measurement helps identify students who require significant gains to reach that proficient level.
SGPs can also be used to analyze growth at the school and district levels, using average SGPs calculated from all students within that school or district as the measure of student growth. This method allows a comparison of student growth without making assumptions about sample sizes; however, averages may still be affected by factors like students who do not take state assessments, as well as those without comparable test histories.
To gain more insight into how SGPs are used to measure proficiency and guide instruction, read either the Administrators SGP Guide or one of the other stakeholder-specific guides. The Educators guide includes sample questions that can be asked when reviewing student growth reports; teacher reflection sessions or continuous improvement cycles could incorporate SGP data with reflective lessons, while the Families SGP Guide gives tips on using data in SGP reports when speaking with children about their performance. Furthermore, check out MCAS Growth Web Page for additional resources related to using and interpreting SGP reports and data interpretation/use resources!