Buffalo Public Schools took a large step forward this year to collect targeted assessment data on its students.
Over 70,000 Common Formative Assessments (CFA) were administered in two assessment periods this year. These assessments were completed district-wide by 31,000+ students in grades K-12. A web-based assessment delivery and management system was employed that provides the District with customizable assessments, automated scoring and online data reporting. CTB McGraw Hill’s Acuity system provides interim and formative assessment data that teachers, principals and District leadership find very informative for improving student learning.
Subjects and grade levels tested during the 2012-2013 school year were ELA K-12, Mathematics K-12, and Science 3-8. Moreover, in a move to prepare the District for upcoming statewide computer based testing and provide more rapid data turnaround, 75% of the Acuity common formative assessments were administered wholly online. The online assessments were very beneficial for schools, because test results were in the hands of teachers and principals within 24 hours. Consequently, district administrators, principals, teachers and coaches are accessing the data more quickly to drive instruction.
The Buffalo Public Schools plans to continue to expand its use of CFAs next school year and design a series of Common Formative Assessments for up to three assessment windows to provide data to inform instruction at the beginning, middle, and end of year. All of the subjects and grade levels assessed in the 2012-13 school year will also be assessed during the next school year. BPS will also consider the possibility of expanding the grade levels assessed in Science and including Social Studies and Special Area assessments. These assessments will continue to provide key insight into student acquisition of curriculum and progress as it relates to standards and give early opportunities to guide instructional design and interventions.
Computer-Based Assessments to Drive Instruction
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Another part of the Buffalo Public School's initiative to transform classrooms into 21st century learning spaces includes collecting and merging electronic resources into an easy-to-access centralized location. The goal of this project is to provide students with a digital library that contains information from a variety of sources such as e-books, online databases, BPS e-textbook subscriptions and reference materials in all subjects areas that are relevant and curriculum supportive. Students can view e-books from school or from home via an e-reader device or computer. More information is available online in BPS's