Our 1^st through 8^th grade students took the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) last November. We are very proud of their high achievement. Below are the national student percentile rankings which compare our students to other students across the nation. For example, a 93 percentile means our class performed 93% higher than students across the nation in the same grade and tested at the same time.

ITBS Nov. 2008	Reading	Language	Math	Core
1st grade	89	96	92	91
2nd grade	87	81	72	81
3rd grade	82	76	71	78
4th grade	92	94	90	95
5th grade	93	88	84	90
6th grade	87	84	85	87
7th grade	94	94	91	95
8th grade	88	89	87	90

1/13/09 The ITBS results are here! The overall scores look very good! When we can show growth at all grade levels, you know we are doing a great job! When I reviewed the individual scores, it reinforces what we see in our struggling students. There may also be surprises about those students who test well but under perform in the classroom. The challenge is to improve those low end students’ scores and inspire the underachievers.

Parents will receive the overall class percentiles and grade equivalent comparisons with this week’s Wednesday bulletin.

Individual student scores will be mailed home next Tuesday.

Teacher’s ITBS materials include:

• Overall scores for all classes
• Comparison of Classes

Please pick up these items from me:

• Performance Profile for each student
• Profile Narrative copy for each student. Original going home to parent.
• Class Item Analysis
• Class List Ranked by Skills
• Longitudinal Profile for each student
• Reflection Worksheet
• Improvement Plan

After you have reviewed the information, the individual student information goes in the end of year bin and in a separate class folder the remaining ITBS class information goes in the same bin. I have kept only copies of overall scores for all classes, comparison data, and the performance profiles.

Teachers:

1. Please take some time to review the test results.
2. Feel free to write on the sheets- they are yours to keep.
3. Remember that these results can be used for future planning.
4. After reviewing the results, please complete the reflection worksheet and the improvement plan. The plan is how you anticipate helping those students with low scores.
5. Bring the entire packet to the in-service meeting on February 17^th. We will spend some time that day reviewing the information and sharing insights.

I will send the worksheet and improvement plan electronically so you can complete on the computer if you wish. Thank you for being positive about the usefulness of these test results. I look forward to planning together and meeting the needs of each student. Chris

Reflection Worksheet on ITBS Test Scores

Name ________________________

Please bring this on Feb. 17^th to share insights and overall comments.

1. What trends do you notice in the school-wide results? (Include strengths and weaknesses)

2. What trends do you notice in your grade-level results? (Include strengths and weaknesses)

3. Based on your reflection, what goals should be set for improvement?

At the school level?

At your grade level?

In your teaching?

In the curriculum?

4. Do you have any other comments you feel are important to consider as you reflect on these results?