Do We Really Need Help?
MARKET RESEARCH
Secondary Research
The scores on the 2008 Florida Math grade 8 FCAT demonstrate that we have our work cut out for us, to improve student success in math. Level 3 (out of 5 levels) is considered passing, or on grade level. Basically, only 2 out of every 3 students in Florida passed the FCAT. So 1 out of every 3 students needs extra help. Here are some scores:
|
Test Group |
DDS* |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Level 4 |
Level 5 |
% Pass |
|
Florida |
1910 |
14% |
19% |
35% |
19% |
13% |
67% |
|
Hillsborough |
1911 |
14% |
21% |
34% |
17% |
14% |
65% |
|
Pinellas |
1913 |
15% |
18% |
34% |
18% |
14% |
67% |
|
Pasco |
1912 |
13% |
19% |
37% |
20% |
11% |
68% |
Please note that if a student is level 2 in 7th grade and remains a level 2 in 8th grade, he has accomplished a year's growth in math, because each progressive grade level is tested on a higher standard than the previous year. So, for a student to improve his level on FCAT, he must grow 2 years worth of math in the one school year. He needs to go over and above just getting by in class ---or he will not improve. This is why I am offering Bellak Math Prep.
The DSS (Developmental Scale Score) is, basically, the initial score to go by. Then the levels are assigned according to cut-offs on the DSS score.
Primary Research
The following information is from my own student reports for the last 2 years, with, basically, the same group of students for 7th and then for 8th.
7th grade results
All students on team stayed the same level (one year's growth) except:
1) The following students grew 2 years:
10 students went from a 1 to a 2.
9 students went from a 2 to a 3.
8 students went from a 3 to a 4.
4 students went from a 4 to a 5.
2) The following students grew 3 years:
2 students went from a 1 to a 3.
2 students went from a 2 to a 4.
2 students went from a 3 to a 5.
Not all kept the same level: 10 students each went down 1 level, but of those students, 4 went up on DSS but missed the higher cut-off level. So, I had 6 students who did not progress at least a year in math, out of 129 students. Again, no guarantees. but 123 out of 129 who grew at least one year of math is pretty good.
8th grade results summary
93 students out of 106 grew at least 1 year: 63 of these stayed the same level, and 30 went up at least 1 level. 3 students, in fact, went from 1 to 3 and 1 student went from 2 to 4. There were 13 who went down a level, but of those 6 went up on DSS. So the result showed that there were 7 students who actually went down.
Overall, I have a proven "track record" on FCAT scores for my students. Now, picture students getting my help in addition to what they get in the classroom.
