School Turn-Around Takes Hard Work and the Right Research-Based Tools

Something done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill is the definition of achievement. Achievement is a process, a process that involves many aspects and typically not completed in one step. One might say it takes a village to nurture and raise a child. We know it takes many to teach and enlighten a child. The cornerstone of educating encompasses many people dedicated with a single goal, improving student achievement.

As part of the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona, Red Mesa Unified School District (RMUSD) was in need of finding a combination of leadership, impactful training, research-based tools, and instructional improvement technology to help guide their academic plan. In 2017-18 RMUSD contracted with the Center for Student Achievement to provide school improvement and turn-around services to all teachers and school leaders. As part of the services employed by the District was the implementation of the Galileo K-12 Online instructional improvement and effectiveness system by Assessment Technology Incorporated. With Galileo, the district had reliable and valid data to assist in decision making at the student, class, school, and district levels. After one full year of support, math scores for all grades increased by nearly 30 percentage points and the 2018 AzMERIT math passing rate for the Junior High was 33 percent higher than previous years.

Case-study results are from RMJH’s Galileo benchmark assessments designed to track student progress and to predict how students might do on AzMERIT.

Galileo assessments were administered during the 2017-18 school year using a pre-test/post-test design, including several benchmark assessments throughout the year. The case-study results are from RMJH’s Galileo benchmark assessments designed to track student progress and to predict how students might do on AzMERIT (Arizona’s standards-based assessment).

How did RMUSD turn their schools around? Read the full article that details the importance of high-quality professional development, coaching, and data driven instructional planning in making a successful educational turn-around. The turn-around was not completed in one step. It was a series of steps and actions that took skill, further professional development, reliable/valid data, and a focused effort on the part of all participants.

ATI to Exhibit at the 48th Annual CASE Convention

Demo Galileo K-12 Online in CO
Would you like an in-person overview of Galileo K-12 Online? Seize the moment at the ATI exhibit #50 during the 48th Annual CASE Convention in Breckenridge, CO July 26-28. Baron, the ATI Field Service Coordinator (FSC) at the convention, will be available to give you a personal demonstration and answer your questions about Galileo K-12 Online. The system is comprehensive, research supported, and aligned to Colorado Academic Standards. Galileo provides an array of curriculum, assessment, instructional effectiveness, and reporting tools. Mark your calendars and stop by exhibit #50 to see the latest features of Galileo designed to facilitate advancements in teaching strategies, assessments, and implementation of instructional effectiveness initiatives. See ATI upcoming events and happenings for more opportunities to experience Galileo K-12 yourself.

Recent ATI Sightings
M.A.S.S. Executive Institute: Last week over 400 teachers, educators, and leaders came together to learn about leading and creating inclusive schools at the three day M.A.S.S. Executive Institute in Mashpee, MA. ATI Field Services Director, Craig, was on hand to provide live demonstrations of the Galileo K-12 Online Instructional Improvement and Effectiveness System. Craig showcased ATI’s extensive Secure and Community Item Banks which are amongst the largest and highest-quality banks in the nation available to educators. He also highlighted the latest Galileo enhancements including the navigational staff and student Launchpads, Test Builder and Item Builder for easy test creation, and multiple online testing tools for students. If you missed us at the conference, it’s not too late to request an online demonstration.

Arizona Charter School Educator Summit: ATI FSC, Nancy presented to a packed room during the Arizona Charter Schools Educators Summit last Friday. She provided a valuable demonstration on how the Galileo’s CBAS-NT assessment series can help teachers and leaders track student learning, standards mastery, performance levels and growth regardless of enrollment date and length of time students take to complete self-paced coursework. Attendees walked away with a complete skill set for using the tools and reports in Galileo that enhance their impact on subgroups and interventions. To learn more about how Galileo technology can assist you and the families and students you work with, watch for the webinar recording coming soon.