UnderstandingAchievement
Level Descriptions
(ALDs)Division of Performance Accountability
Nancy E. Brito, NBCT, Department of EDW, Accountability, and School Improvement
[email protected] 561-357-7521, PX47521
The SDPBC ALDs Format
The ALDs cover the assessed NGSSS benchmarks.
The SDPBC reformatted the FDOE’s ALDs, which are arranged by reporting categories.
The SDPBC ALDs are by benchmark for grade levels 3-12 and subjects Reading, Mathematics and Algebra 1.
This PowerPoint describes the SDPBC ALDs format.
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach CountyNGSSS = Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
FDOE = Florida Department of Education
The Purpose of the ALDs
“The ALDs provide detailed descriptions of the knowledge and skills that a student needs to be able to achieve at each of the five Achievement Levels…
Florida Department of Education / Office of Assessment, March 2011
The Purpose of the ALDs …in conjunction with the policy definitions
that summarize the level of success a student has with the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS).”
Florida Department of Education / Office of Assessment, March 2011
The ALDs were used by the standard-setting committees to recommend cut scores on the reporting scale for the new Achievement Levels.
How were the ALDs used by the FDOE?
Florida Department of Education (FDOE)/ Office of Assessment, March 2011
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
The specific student expectations in the SDPBC format are the same as in the FDOE format; however, they are organized by benchmark(s).
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach CountyFDOE = Florida Department of Education
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
The Sentence Stem is intended to precede each of the descriptions below it.
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Sentence Stem
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
The Demonstration of Understanding is intended to identify the students’ understanding of the related benchmark(s) ALD statements as indentified by:
• Level 5 – consistently, • Level 4 – usually, • Level 3 – generally, • Level 2 – limited, or • Level 1 – inadequate.
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Demonstration of Understanding
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
The Progression of Expectations describes the logical progression of related benchmark(s) ALDs expectations (e.g., evaluate, analyze, compare, organize, identify).
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Progression of Expectations
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
The Related Benchmark column indicates all the related benchmark(s) ALDs statements that are described in Levels 1 through 5 in the Progression of Expectations row.
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Related Benchmark
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
For example:These four (4) benchmarks might be represented in one or more of the ALDs statements under Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 and/or Level 5.
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Related Benchmark
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Related Benchmark
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
Bold font indicates a change or addition from a previous level’s description of related benchmark(s) ALDs statements.
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Bold Font
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
Same as Level…, indicates the ALDs statement is the same as the description in the Achievement Level noted (e.g., Same as Level 3, Same as Level 4).
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Same as Level…
Explanation of the ALDs in SDPBC Format
A blank cell indicates that the FDOE did not define the progression of expectation for that Achievement Level.
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Blank Cell
Possible Uses for ALDsEducators, students, parent/guardians, and other stakeholders may use the ALDs as a tool to understand and communicate student achievement and progress on benchmarks assessed on the statewide assessments.
Possible Uses for ALDsIn conjunction with and , educators may use the ALDs as a measuring tool to gauge student achievement and progress on District and classroom created assessments that are aligned to the assessed NGSSS benchmarks.
Example of ALDs UseA student scored a Level 2 on the Reading Diagnostic Test.
Example of ALDs UseThe student and teacher were able to check three (3) descriptions of knowledge and skills achieved at a Level 2.
Example of ALDs Use
They noted that the student demonstrated more than a limited ability for this description of knowledge and skills.
Example of ALDs Use
The student and teacher then referred to the next higher level’s description of knowledge and skills, Level 3.
Example of ALDs Use
The Achievement Level Description Level states: “Same as Level 2.”
Is the student generally able to identify cause and effect relationships?
Example of ALDs Use
The answer was “Yes”. The student and teacher were able to check the description of knowledge and skills achieved at a Level 3.
Example of ALDs UseNow the student and teacher began to strategize on how to move the student from Level 2 to Level 3 on each of the other skills.
SummaryThe ALDs are a tool that may be used together with EDW, CORE K12, Item Specifications, and Learning Village to understand and communicate student progress that leads to strategy development for:
Instruction Improvement Enrichment
Where are the ALDs in the SDPBC format?
The Departments of EDW, Accountability, and School Improvement and Research
Evaluation and Assessment at:http://www.palmbeachschools.org/assessment/AchievementLevelDescriptions.asp
Setting the Stage for Success – Stage IIIhttp://www.palmbeachschools.org/setting
thestage/ALDStageIII.asp
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Where are the ALDs in the SDPBC format?
In Learning Village Under…
Elementary> Mathematics
> Grade Level (3, 4, or 5)>Additional Resources
Middle School > Mathematics
> Additional Resources
SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
Where are the ALDs in the SDPBC format?
In Learning Village Under…
Elementary> Reading
>Additional ResourcesMiddle School
> Reading> Additional Resources
High School > Reading
> Additional Resources SDPBC = School District of Palm Beach County
AcknowledgementThis project has been a collaborative effort
between the Divisions of Performance Accountability and Curriculum.
Questions?
Nancy E. Brito, NBCT, Department of EDW, Accountability, and
School [email protected]
561-357-7521, PX47521