Data Driven

Science Review
Ann Hanstad

Research Question
What is the correlation between student
success on middle level science common
summative assessments and the state
standardized science assessment?

Background
History of large swings in MCA science data
Disparities in MCA Science scores between the MME and
MMW
Resistance to the use of common assessments, and
common gradebooks.
Movement to Standards Based Grading
Data Driven decision making

Literary Analysis Themes

Teachers and Standards make a Difference

Teacher Knowledge related to Standardized Test Success

Positive Climates
Use of standards to drive curriculum

Use of Formative Assessments in Science Classrooms

Students who received formative assessments as part of their

curriculum outperformed the control group on science
performance assessments.

The correlation test

resulted in a r value of .
59.
This r value shows a
moderate correlation
between student
performance on
district common
assessments and their
performance on the
MCA Science Test.

Figure 1.1- Graph illustrate correlation between students Minnetonka Proficiency and MN Science MCA
proficiency.

Minnetonka Common Assessment

3.73 Mean

Mean
SD

MN Science MCA

3.53

0.91762 SD
r- value
(Minnetonka x MCA)

0.73030
0.59

Analysis
Requires more data and further study.

Need for more historical data.

Larger sample size.
Comparison to other middle school in districts.

Used by PLCs to drive conversations about

type of assessments and alignment of tests to
to MN State Science Standards.