It's Evolution, Baby!: Changes to WCSU Math Scales

Change is the steady state in education.  I think that's one of the major reasons why I love this field so much.  Those of us with restless feet and a sense of adventure can be assured that the ground will be shifting beneath us taking us to new places, requiring new skills.  Those of us who thrive on being centered and stable, can be assured that although the ground may shift, it's unlikely to crack wide open.  Most changes build slowly from the ground up.

For the upcoming school year (2018-2019), we will be shifting how we define proficiency somewhat in mathematics in WCSU.  Not a seismic shift, just a minor one... In this blogpost, I will:

• Provide some history and context for the change.
• Explain the changes to our proficiency scales.
• Outline next steps in making the change.

Why make a change?

Back in 2015, we rolled out the "Levels of Knowing" for each of our non-negotiables at each grade level.  There were four levels based on the following general scale:

We expected all students to get to a level four - the Application/Communication level of knowing math concepts.  In other words, we used level four to indicate that a student was proficient. 

Since then, Vermont as a whole adopted proficiency-based graduation requirements.  When that happened, U-32 began using a model and terminology consistent with what many other high schools were doing across Vermont and in the League of Innovative Schools.  We began to call "non-negotiables," "performance indicators" and "levels of knowing" became "proficiency scales"  (click here for a guide relating the old terms to the new terms).  These label changes were relatively easy (albeit a bit confusing).  However, there was another change that was not as simple to make.

In keeping with other schools, U-32 decided to use level three to indicate that a student is "Proficient" in a performance indicator and/or standard.  So, we needed to retune our four point scale for mathematics to be consistent with this approach.  We made this change in the high school last year (2016-17) and in grades seven and eight this school year (2017-18).  Next year (2018-19), we will move this change into the elementary grades.

What is the new scale?

The new proficiency scale is still based on four points.  However, we will consider level three to be indicative of proficiency.  Here is a poster version of the revised general scale (layout by Sue Verchereau):

Here is a link to a document explaining the levels and teaching strategies to target students at the various levels.

You may have noticed that the first two levels have not changed at all.  The change is how we define levels three and four:  

Basically, we are compressing our previous levels three and four into level three.  The new level four focuses on extended applications of concepts and knowledge.

What are the next steps?

The change is relatively small one, however there are many things that will need some adjusting in the coming months: proficiency scales for each math performance indicator k-6, scope and sequencing, curriculum maps, benchmark assessment scoring guides, etc.  I will be drafting most of that work and will be welcoming any feedback and brilliant ideas coming from math teachers across WCSU.    

My goal is to have made all of the adjustments by June.  As I complete work, I will be contacting grade level teams to let you know that changes have been made and to invite you to share your thoughts.

If you have any ideas/questions/concerns, please shoot me an email (edorsey@u32.org).