Teaching in the virtual classroom where all students have an opportunity to learn can be challenging. In this session Carrie Kouba, Title I School Support Director and Crystal Andrews, Targeted Support Specialist will discuss tips and tricks using data collected as well as offering an open space for educators to hear from each other in the field.

This session will provide attendees with a brief tour of the newly revamped GEMS data system. Members of the SLDS team will give a general tour tour of the site, highlighting new data and sharing the new layout. The second portion of the presentation will provide a deeper dive into the data dashboards, teaching users how to view data, how to use new and enhanced filtering options, and how to export both raw data and data visualizations.

Research continually says, school improvement is in the people. When teachers have the opportunity to improve their skill set and hone in on their craft, growth is inevitable in their students. In this session we will revisit the topic of having a growth mindset and improvement strategies centered in student data. Participants will have an opportunity to hear about current research, reflect on their practice, and collaborate with other educators.

Description:

In this session we will explore statewide assessment achievement and participation data and the role the accessibility supports for statewide assessments can promote meaningful participation in statewide assessments that allow students with disabilities to demonstrate what they know and can do.

Objectives:

• Define meaningful participation

• Explore statewide achievement data for students with disabilities.

• Understand shifts in thinking about accessibility for statewide assessments from accommodation based to universal design for learning and supports for all students with accessibility needs.

• Implement a systematic data based decision making process in the selection of accessibility supports for statewide assessments.

• Needs Based Approach to the Selection and Implementation of Accessibility Supports for Statewide Assessments

This session will take participants into a deep dive of the Smarter Balanced Content Explorer site. We will cover claims, targets and their connection to our Montana Content Standards. Participants will also become familiar with how to interpret assessment results data to plan lessons, instruction, and formative assessment.

Interim Assessments are essential for implementing a Balanced Assessment System. Come learn more about Smarter Balanced Interim Assessment offerings for Grades 3-8. We will also cover implementation ideas from across Montana, including how to follow up on Interim Assessment Data with data driven instruction and Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers Connection Playlists.

Formative assessments are an essential component for implementing a Balanced Assessment System. Explore Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers resources and lesson plans. Learn how they link to Interim Assessments through Connection Playlists. We will also introduce the new SmART resource that provides teachers with annotated student writing responses to sample test items.

The American Indian Student Achievement Unit will share our specific work in developing a balanced approach within our schools to incorporate place-based knowledge and cultural inclusion within achievement. These holistic approaches work to get the student mind in a positive place to learn. It embodies the student experience and is important in providing necessary support rooted in the identity of our school communities. The process is more qualitatively focused and ever evolving as we have many historic obstacles to overcome in dealing with education in Indian Country, but we move forward with a more inclusive effort that braids indigenous place-based knowledge along with contemporary instructional pedagogy to provide our American Indian Youth with a positive student experience that leads to improved educational outcomes.