Oct. 2022 - How to be an “A” School:
Plan now to communicate and reach midyear goals. 
By the first week of October, 78% of Grade 3-8 students in Alpha Plus Online had completed baseline summative assessments in Math and Reading. The average score was an impressive 43% of questions answered correctly on the assessment aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS).
This high baseline shows the capacity built in Alpha Plus Partner Schools to use the power of vertical alignment in the OAS.
Learn more about alignment in the platform under Classroom > Resources > “PD” and “Other” tabs.
PACE YOURSELF!
By the second nine weeks, students should have learned about one-third of the OAS expected for each grade/subject.
After Halloween, there are fewer than 80 instructional days left until Spring Break at most schools.
- Maintaining a steady instructional pace in the fall increases the likelihood of covering all state-required subject matter by spring with time to complete intervention activities by April.
- We appreciate how difficult it is to protect each day from disruption, but it makes a difference! See the difference here: https://alphaplus.org/educational-systems/school-results
- While the summative B or midyear assessment window is open from Nov. 3 to Feb. 10, 2023, Alpha Plus Facilitators recommend students take B well before school lets out for Winter Break. This allows time to evaluate the data before starting the spring semester.
PLAN NOW for Midyear Benchmark (B)
Now is a good time to use students’ A1 summative baseline data in APO and other indicators to set goals for the midyear summative. For best results:
- Communicate your goals with each student and parents along with your plans to use Alpha Plus B as a mock state test and/or semester test grade.
- Have plans in place so students with disabilities will practice using accommodations.
- Conduct a full review of all content taught to get the most accurate data on students’ strengths and weaknesses by objective.
- If using Summative B for midterm or semester test, only take a grade on questions aligned to objectives taught so far (listed in your OAG). Let us know if you have questions about how to do so.
Let students know they can get an “easy A” on test-taking procedures by using all available time, showing their work, and rechecking answers!
Download our “Test-Taking Procedures and Strategies” packet under Classroom > Resources > PD tab.
Students should learn item analysis now and practice these skills on Independent Practice, formative quizzes, and any other assessments (e.g., science, social studies, etc.).
Just like that - you’re on the way to an A!
Stay tuned for more tips next month.
Please let us know how we can help more. - Jan Barrick, CEO
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Our mailing address is:
3315 N.W. 63rd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Call (405) 842-8408 or email
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