The new year’s arrival means your classroom is full-steam ahead! Although your students may still dream about sugar plums dancing in their heads, teachers know that the new year means it’s time to buckle down for the winter screener assessments! 

When it comes to utilizing screener data, which statement most applies to your school or district?

• “We test students, but we aren’t using the data to make meaningful instructional changes.“
• “We test students, and the resulting data impacts the instructional supports students receive.” 

Although the second statement is the goal, it’s not always easy, especially in the challenging learning landscape we are currently facing. However, there are simple ways to use screener data to make the needed instructional adjustments that may significantly impact end-of-year tests. 

Why a Mid-Year Test? 

Mid-year assessments provide a picture of how students progress and where they need added support if they want to achieve grade-level proficiency. The resulting data informs tier placement and tier movement. For students receiving tiers two and three supports, they provide insight into whether interventions are working or need adjustment. They also pinpoint strengths and weaknesses within the core curriculum. 

Use Data to Make an Impact 

To make your winter data actionable, use the results during staff or PLC meetings to create an environment of growth. Share what is working in classrooms and offer support to each other.

With the right tools in place, you can have many of your students ready for success by end-of-grade tests. ‍

Checklist for Success

❐ Analyze your data. Identify the students that did not perform well on the winter screener.

❐ Schedule intervention time. This will be easier for some schools more than others if you have built-in time. But, even if you don’t, there are creative ways to include intervention time in the bell schedule. If possible, schedule 45-60 minute blocks three times a week for intervention. 

❐ Motivate and incentivize. Build a plan that offers small continual rewards for those participating in the interventions.

❐ Make informed instructional decisions. Review the assessment results and look at the areas of deficiency for each student.

❐ Individualize. Assign the exact right resource for every student based on the areas of deficiency for each student. 

❐ Conference. Talk with each student as they are working on their interventions. Reassign the skills they are still struggling with. 

❐ Celebrate! Recognize and reward success as students start to catch-up and have those "aha" moments. Have small ice cream or pizza parties or Friday lunch celebrations for students as they earn rewards. 

❐ Celebrate your own "aha" moments. Your students aren’t really performing two years behind their peers. In fact, they were just missing a few key skills that were blocking them from success on-grade level. 

❐ See their eyes light up! Watch students start to engage more in the classroom with your on-grade level lessons as they realize the success they are having on the interventions is also translating to pride in the classroom and with your lessons. 

❐ Testing time! Administer or re-administer the high-stakes test. It’s time for your students to apply what they’ve learned. 

❐ Breathe a sigh of relief! Celebrate the results you and your students have worked hard for this year. ‍

‍Does this Feel Overwhelming?

‍With the right instructional resource, much of this process can be automatic! 

Review and see if your school already has the following:

• The ability to identify students that are at-risk to fail the high stakes test
• Interventions that individualize learning for all students 
• Effective reporting to track student progress on the interventions

Worried you don’t have the right tools in place? This is what Classworks does best. Let us help! Chat with us using the chat button in the bottom right or email hello@classworks.com.