Data sgp is a set of classes, functions and data that provides a way to calculate student growth percentiles using large scale, longitudinal education assessment data. These percentiles show how a student’s test scores compare to other students with similar score histories. This information can help educators evaluate a student’s progress and plan appropriate next steps in their learning. It can also be used in conjunction with other data to help with accountability, school/district/teacher evaluation, and student and teacher growth planning.
This information is provided in a spreadsheet format that makes it easy to see how individual students are doing, as well as the aggregated data for a school or district. The spreadsheet can be customized by adding additional columns of data to better understand the information displayed. It is also possible to compare a student’s data to that of other students in the same grade or subject area.
Currently, growth data is available for all students in grades 4 through 8, and for all students in high school. For these grades, SGPs are calculated by comparing the most recent MCAS score with a previous grade level test score. When available, the two most recent years of prior test scores are used. In fall 2019, the SGP graphs will be adjusted to normalize all scale scores from different test dates and assessments to a common scale of 0-100 for display purposes. This will also make it easier to compare the growth of students in the same grade.
SGPs are one measure of student progress that contribute to school and district accountability and to the state’s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). They are used in conjunction with other measures to indicate teacher and leader effectiveness as part of the Teacher and Leader Keys Effectiveness Systems. SGPs are not included in the Accountability Report Cards, however, because value-added scores are required by state law to be used in those reports.
The sgpData spreadsheet is not intended to replace any existing accountability reporting tools and resources, but rather to provide a more convenient, straightforward way for educators to use this valuable information in their classrooms and schools. In addition, the sgpData spreadsheet includes a variety of additional data on a student that is not available in the summary reports, including gender and socioeconomic status, which are important for understanding students’ backgrounds and needs.
Educators are encouraged to contact DESE with any questions about data sgp. We look forward to continuing our efforts to work with educators across the Commonwealth to improve the use of this important tool in support of student success.