Personalized Learning via Test Data Analysis

Personalized Learning via Test Data Analysis

The Timberline Elementary 5th grade team, the Grapevine Elementary 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teams, and the Dove Elementary 4th grade teams this year have evolved some ideas for students to own their learning in science.

Once students have taken one of the district science by-strand tests--otherwise known as TEKS Checks--teachers run Student Targeted Skills report in DMAC. Teachers give this information to students. Some have highlighted questions on the test, some have called out the missed items to students, some have printed the Targeted Skills strips and taught their students how to read those.


Once students identify areas of weakness and areas of strength, they set about determining their own learning goals and planning their own ways to go about meeting their goals using a test analysis form like the one below. Students color in the correct items according to their data--digitally or in person--in order to make the document easy to see and understand; the more color in the row, the more I understand this concept and need enrichment/extension, and the less color in the row, the more interventions I need.

In this first iteration of the test analysis form, there are only enrichment options that were intended to be completed with a partner or independently while small group instruction was happening around them. The teachers pulled small groups for interventions, and students knew to expect this if they had little color (had missed a high percentage) of a particular standard.

It goes without saying that these teachers had spent time in advance creating a classroom culture so that students felt safe, where encouragement and risk-taking are the norm, and students know a system for self help when a teacher is occupied with a small group.

Later iterations of the document began to include new features and began to make the document a hub for personalized learning for students.

  • Renamed columns--Developing Understandingand Extending & Applying
  • Partner/independent intervention (gap-filling) work for students who performed lower on a standard
  • Formative assessments
  • Links directly to work

Using simple test analysis forms such as these really helps young people become self-regulated learners in science!

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