1. What is the Learning Continuum? from Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA ) is a dynamic interactive tool that translates student assessment data into actionable learning statements that enable teachers to develop instructional plans for students. translates the RIT scores from Measures of Academic Progress (MAP ) into learning statements they can use: test scores show precisely where each student is ready to advance, and the Learning Continuum provides the guidance to move their learning forward. Designed for ease- of- use in the classroom, the Learning Continuum learning statements have a teacher- friendly design and a simple functionality: With the click of button, teachers can see their entire class organized into skill- based activity groups. The tool is ideal for individual and differentiated instruction, building out lesson plans, scaffolding for low- performing students, and introducing new material to challenge high- performing students. 2. How does the Learning Continuum work? In the Learning Continuum, students RIT scores direct the teacher to appropriate learning statements. Learning statements are placed along a continuum of learning based on difficulty and describe concepts and skills that students are typically ready to learn. The content is relevant for every student in class, whether they re performing at, above, or below grade level. Teachers use these data to inform differentiated instruction and create skill- based work groups. 3. What is a Learning Statement? learning statements are easy to read descriptions of skills and learning targets that provide guidance for teachers. They are presented by goal and subgoal. This allows teachers to see specific instructional needs that they can then align to their curriculum scope and sequence. The learning statements found in the Learning Continuum are what breathe life into the RIT score. A learning statement is a teacher-, student-, and parent- friendly description of what a student is ready to learn, providing a starting point for instruction. These data- derived learning statements describe the skills and concepts that need to be introduced, developed, or reinforced. They are placed in RIT bands according to the difficulty of the items that assess that concept or skill. 1
NWEA FAQ The Learning Continuum 4. What is the Class View? The Learning Continuum provides teachers with a Class View by goal, sub- goal, and RIT ranges. This helps to inform decisions for grouping, differentiating instruction, and targeted interventions. It groups students by RIT score bands to clearly show where students are and what they re ready to learn. The Class View* (above) in the Learning Continuum helps teachers differentiate instruction by grouping students based on the skills and concepts they need to develop in each goal and sub- goal area. *Image has been modified to demonstrate functionality. Actual in- product screens will be slightly different. 2 2014 Northwest Evaluation Association. All rights reserved. June 2014
5. What is the Test View? lets teachers know each student s zone of proximal development what they know and what they are ready to learn. The Test View groups the learning statements for a test by RIT band into three columns: Introduce, Develop, and Reinforce. Introduce: These are the skills and concepts that students may be ready to learn but may require additional scaffolding or pre- teaching. Develop: These are the skills and concepts closest to where students in this RIT range are ready to learn (their zone of proximal development or ZPD), and are appropriate to develop through teacher- led instruction. Reinforce: The learning statements in this column show where students are more independent, but may need reinforcement to build consistent proficiency and confidence. 3
NWEA FAQ The Learning Continuum The Test View* (above) in the Learning Continuum provides teachers with easy navigation through the learning statements. The Test View shows skills and concepts to reinforce, develop, and introduce with students based on their RIT score for each goal and sub- goal. *Image has been modified to demonstrate functionality. Actual in- product screens will be slightly different. 4 2014 Northwest Evaluation Association. All rights reserved. June 2014
6. How can the Learning Continuum be used? allows teachers to leverage the accuracy of MAP RIT scores to guide and differentiate instruction. It delivers a range of learning statements that educators can employ in the sequence they deem appropriate (non- prescriptive). It can be used to inform many aspects of teaching and learning, including: selection of instructional materials for students planning differentiated instruction for gifted and talented, ELL, and Title I students scaffolding instruction for students performing below grade level curriculum planning and program revisions monitoring student progress Individual Education Plans (IEPs) 7. When will the Learning Continuum be released? will be available in fall 2014 with additional features added in the months that follow. and the future of DesCartes and PGID 8. How does the Learning Continuum correspond to DesCartes and PGID? DesCartes: A Continuum of Learning and Primary Grades Instructional Data (PGID) will be replaced by the Learning Continuum. Partners will continue to have access to DesCartes and PGID throughout the 2014-15 academic year. A big difference between the Learning Continuum and DesCartes/PGID is the interactivity that allows teachers to move through RIT ranges more fluidly as well as view the learning statements through different filters, such as by goal and subgoal. In addition, the new Class View (see example above) allows teachers to see students grouped by RIT band, providing important information to inform small group differentiated instruction. Users will also notice a difference in the Test View: the traditional three- column layout is replaced by an interactive view (see example above). 5
9. To what will the Class Breakdown by Goal report link? In August, the Class Breakdown by Goal report will still link to DesCartes and PGID. In September, it will link to the Learning Continuum Class View, showing the data that is selected in the Class Breakdown report. 10. Will we be able to access learning statements for tests that are not active? Yes. Within the Learning Continuum Test View, you will be able to see learning statements for all currently licensed tests, either active or inactive. In addition, the Class View will allow you to view learning statements for any test taken by a student within the current and previous academic year. Measures of Academic Progress, MAP, and Partnering to Help All Kids Learn are registered trademarks and Northwest Evaluation Association and NWEA are trademarks of Northwest Evaluation Association. 6