Data Learning Research Network
Rincon Valley Union School District
Innovation Idea
Pilot comprehensive formative assessment practices at Whited Elementary Charter and Madrone Elementary, including foundational training for teachers on formative assessments and effective data practices
In 2024-25 (Sustainability Phase), Rincon Valley USD will be spreading and scaling formative assessment practices across the district's Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) by building the capacity of their site leadership teams to lead this work.
Goals
Provide teachers and site leaders with foundational knowledge of formative assessments — what they are and how they are used to inform instructional next steps
Establish regular use of common formative assessments in math to inform changes in instruction based on assessment results
Enhance teachers’ use of math assessment data when collaborating with peers to inform re-engagement lessons and increase student outcomes in math
Strategies
Provide training to staff on formative assessment practices in math, use of formative assessment data to inform instruction, and effective data meetings
Provide ongoing coaching support for both teachers and site leadership
Support teachers and site leaders in facilitating grade-level data meetings on examining FA data to inform instruction
Resources
Teacher Survey – This survey was administered to all teachers at the two pilot sites to explore differences in self-reported use of formative assessment practices.
Learner Surveys (Grades 3-4 & Grades 5-6) – Two versions of the Learner Survey were administered to all students in Grades 3-6 at the two pilot sites to better understand how students think about learning in the classroom.
Walkthrough Protocol – Teachers and administrators used this walkthrough protocol to collect observational data, allowing them to see and calibrate formative assessments taking place in the classrooms.
2023-24 Impact Data
Teacher Survey
The Teacher Survey was administered to all teachers at the two pilot sites to explore differences in self-reported use of formative assessment practices. The Fall 2023 survey was administered to all teachers in attendance at the kickoff meeting on September 14, 2023 and the Spring 2024 survey was administered at the final meeting on May 23, 2024.
On a scale of 1 to 10, describe your formative assessment practice.
Overall, teachers indicated that their formative assessment practice increased from
fall (M=6.1) to spring (M=7.2).
Frequency of Reported Use
of Formative Assessment Practices
The survey included 23 questions about teachers' use of formative assessment practices across the Four Domains. Combining all the
formative behaviors across the Four Domains, teachers increased in
the frequency with which they used the practices.
Frequency of Reported Use of Formative Assessment Practices within the Four Domains
In both the Fall & Spring, “Starts & Ends of Lessons” and “Peer- and Self-Assessment” had lower reported frequency of use, which is why we see the greatest gains overall in those two domains.
LEA Team:
Hilary Kjaer, Director of Teaching & Learning
Tasha Lopez, Continuous Improvement Specialist TOSA
Jacob Lopez, Director of Education and Information Technology
Beth Acosta, Principal of Whited Elementary
Brooklynn Clark, Principal of Madrone Elementary