SGPs provide an important indicator of a student’s progress toward meeting state standards. SGPs are calculated by comparing a student’s assessment score against those of his/her academic peers; academic peers include all those students with similar prior test scores in any grade/subject area – not demographics or program participation factors.
Example: A student with low assessment scores but higher academic peers can have a significant growth rate if their performance meets or surpasses that of their academic peers, because this shows they have made progress toward meeting a target level of performance as defined by statistical models.
Calculating a student’s SGP involves matching his or her academic peer group against a statistical model of achievement for that subject and grade, then assigning scores that reflect how well students should perform on future assessments for that subject and grade. SGPs are reported as percentiles to allow comparison across grades and subjects.
Student Growth Percentiles provide an indicator of a student’s progress toward meeting State Standards for each subject and grade. The median SGP in Washington is 50; that is, half of Washington students have achieved growth at or above this mark.
Students who do not make sufficient progress toward meeting the State Standard by their graduation date run the risk of failing the standard and miss out on making use of their time in school. Working closely with parents and teachers, their SGP can identify areas in which additional support may be necessary for these students.
SGPs are calculated through a statistical method called quantile regression that describes the relationship between students’ previous test scores and current assessment scores. This allows school districts to use this measure of comparison between classes; and teachers to use it determine which form of instruction and support would help each child reach state standards more quickly.
SGPs are an integral component of WASB’s efforts to enhance instructional practices and increase student achievement. They provide data-driven decisions and assist schools with creating strategies aligned to the Common Core State Standards while tailoring learning plans to individual student learning needs. SGPs should not replace the current reporting system of current and past assessment results, which remains the most valuable and reliable measure of academic achievement for each student. Instead, the SGP serves as a comprehensive means of gathering more detailed data about student performance throughout the year. All collected information will be readily accessible for review and analysis throughout this process. This will assist schools, parents, and students in making more informed choices regarding instructional practices. Furthermore, it will allow the public to compare performance of schools across the state as well as enable WASB to analyze trends and patterns in student achievement – something particularly helpful to school leaders seeking an equitable and transparent system of accountability for all.