I could see that the high performing students always score better however, there are also some changes where a few students who normally score lower are progressing quite well. I observed that when students do make an effort to study and understand the topics, they can perform better even though they could be slower in taking in information. Some students are naturally intelligent but others we have to coach them to understand and apply what they have learned.
- Results in my subject area (Computer Studies) in the last 6 months has shown a āYo-Yoā effect. Not really sure whether it is the students or teachers fault. Seeing that this is a remote school where English is not a first language and that the lessons taught needs to be read and understood before being tested using key terms like Describe, Explain, Discuss (paragraph writing), Differentiate etcā¦ many students have not expressed themselves well. When more low level Knowledge questions are asked like List or Define are used, students do better.
- I believe the language barrier is a problem for all subjects with similar performance patterns. Intervention programmes need to be put in place for students moving into secondary schools from the primary level. And intervention programmes should also be specific for a subject taught at the beginning of a school year.
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Subject Chosen - Literacy
Looking at the test scores over the period of 6 months, I would say that thereās improvement shown in the scores. For e.g those students who lacked knowledge on certain aspects (Phonics, Digraphs, Blends, Picture Interpretation) have shown improvements in the aspects mentioned over the period of 6 months. It was quite impressive to see children writing at least 2 simple sentences about the picture given. -
Different subject areas
.Numeracy*
The improvement has been shown by most of the students over the period of 6 months. Also most of the students have improved. More children are passing now or I would say progressed well.
Vernacular*
This area needs attention because of various factors. The progress is very slow over the period of 6 months because children have lack of content knowledge.
3.Action to improve performance*
Effective parental engagement
Intervention Activities.
Safe and healthy learning environment
Outreach programmes
Give positive feedback to motivate learners.
Reward students if they progress
- Examining test scores in my subjectsā areas over past 6 months; a) English- there is a fluctuation trend in scores. This is due to some students are very good in reading and writing and some are struggling on pronouncing a simple words. b) Mathematics ā there is a positive results coming up towards the end as more practice ā upgrade the studentsā knowledge. c) General Studies ā there is a mixed up scores. The issue for low achievers are that they canāt read the questions that why they canāt answer it but if the same question is asked orally, then they can answer.
- To improve the performance across different subjects, I need to work on their weakness point which is reading and writing.
- Literacy level of students
Children are doing well with the new approach .Reading with understanding is improving. - All the subjects are also improving. Children like to learn with interesting and colourful lessons.
Particularly for H/economics the trend for the last 6 month is rapidly increasing, this shows a positivity in students academic performance
However, to other subjects, it is slightly different, the trends are somehow do the opposite.
I think intergrated of oneās concept across every subjects at a certain period of time should be implemented. This is to equip a learner with the same concept and to be assessed for at one time.
Looking at the graph and the trend of my students performance in Maths, most of my students needed assistant on the high level questions where only capable student are able to achieve what was required of them.
The type of questions that require high level thinking such as create, and evaluate will start and slowly introduce to the students using the format that I learned in this course.
The performance in my subject has improved during the last few months. Pupils who are demonstrating interest are making good progress. This demonstrates the efficacy of the teaching and learning techniques being employed. Nonetheless, our pupils lack certain fundamental information and abilities that are necessary for them to function well in the classroom. It is also observed that while some kids do well in other disciplines, others have difficulties.
Item Analysis is prepared for the tests we conduct to find out which sub strands need to be retaught or given more assessments for learning in order to improve the results. Students are also retested on the same outcomes after remedial and other interventions have taken place.
Another strategy that is used is counselling of students and this is continuous to find out individually from the students in terms of needs or assistance.(varied assistance)
Interventional exercises are designed to accommodate students of all levels in order to improve on the aforementioned. There should be more practical exercises offered to kids because they learn best when they do things on their own. Itās also critical to identify the areas in which pupils could struggle and make an effort to mentor and assist them.
Formative assessment is more for student-centered learning. Teachers can adopt personalized learning methods to work on weak areas of students. Formative assessment is used throughout an instructional period to monitor progress, identify misconceptions, struggles, and learning gaps, and provide feedback and support to improve learning. Formative assessment can involve various tools and approaches, such as quizzes, writing, conversation, self-assessment, and peer-assessment.
Summative assessments are to provide complete value after a thorough evaluation of studentās performance at the end of the period. Summative assessment is used at the end of an instructional period to evaluate how much students have learned, how well they have met the learning objectives, and how they perform according to some defined criteria. Summative assessment is usually a standardized and reliable method of knowledge-based assessment that is easily-reported.
When we look at the formative test scores of students in one subject area, the scores are mostly good. The results reflect the studentsā knowledge in the short tests. These tests cover syllabi for a coverage and students do get preparation period before being quizzed and tested.
When the tests were compared for different subjects, it was found that students showed the same trend. Some tests were done well while others were not done so well.
This concluded that with formative assessment covered individual topics in each assessment and the results reflected the content knowledge each of the topics. This identified students who needed to revisit the topics and the areas in which improvement is needed.
Looking at the studentās marks, it shows that they are improving and as such more revision activities can be provided especially before exams. Studentās performance shows how well they have grasped a concept and also gives a chance to the teachers to evaluate themselves and make necessary changes to improve future lessons.
Improving studentsā test marks involves a combination of effective teaching strategies, student engagement, and a supportive learning environment. Here are some tips to help enhance test scores:
Effective Instructional Strategies:
Use a variety of instructional methods that cater to different learning styles. Incorporate active learning, group discussions, and hands-on activities to make lessons more engaging and memorable. The lessons should me student centred and not teacher centred.
Individualized Support:
Provide individualized support to students who may be struggling. Offer additional resources and one-on-one tutoring when needed.
Use of Technology:
Integrate technology into the learning process. Educational apps, online resources, and interactive platforms can make learning more engaging and tailored to individual needs.
Collaborative Learning:
Encourage collaborative learning through group projects and discussions. Peer-to-peer teaching and collaboration can enhance understanding and retention of information.
Feedback and Reflection:
Provide timely and constructive feedback on assessments. Encourage students to reflect on their performance, identify areas for improvement, and set goals for future learning.
Positive Classroom Environment:
Create a positive and supportive classroom environment. A safe and encouraging atmosphere can positively impact studentsā motivation and willingness to participate.
Remember that improvement takes time, and itās essential to celebrate small successes along the way. By implementing these strategies consistently, educators can contribute to a positive and effective learning environment that supports students in achieving higher test scores.
Upon analysing the test scores in my Year 12 Biology, it came to my attention that advance learners were progressing whereas the slow learners were not progressing. In fact they were going in the opposite direction.
For science subjects there needs to be lots of attention given to slow learners since they are not able to cope up with their subject.
More practicals need to be covered based on the theory covered.
I think more of intervention strategies to be used in order for the struggling learners to cope up
Patterns that emerge:
- Increased learning loss: Students who were already struggling academically before the pandemic have fallen further behind. This is due to a number of factors, including lack of access to technology and resources, difficulty staying motivated in a remote learning environment, and social-emotional challenges.
- Widening achievement gaps: The gap between high- and low-achieving students has widened. This is due to the fact that high-achieving students were more likely to have the resources and support they needed to succeed during the pandemic.
- Increased disengagement: Students are less engaged in school and more likely to drop out. This is due to a number of factors, including academic frustration, social-emotional challenges, and lack of motivation.
Actions to improve performance:
- Provide targeted support for slow-progressing students: This may include extra tutoring, small group instruction, and differentiated instruction.
- Address the social-emotional needs of students: This may include providing counseling and support groups, as well as creating a positive and supportive learning environment.
- Build relationships with students: This will help students feel connected to school and more motivated to learn.
- Engage students in active learning: This may include using hands-on activities, projects, and real-world examples.
- Provide regular feedback: This will help students track their progress and identify areas where they need to improve.
Specific actions to improve performance in Fiji schools post-COVID:
- Increase access to technology and resources: This may include providing laptops and tablets to students, as well as improving internet access in schools and communities.
- Provide professional development for teachers on how to support slow-progressing students: This may include training on differentiated instruction, social-emotional learning, and relationship building.
- Develop and implement targeted interventions for slow-progressing students: This may include after-school programs, summer school programs, and mentoring programs.
- Work with parents and communities to support slow-progressing students: This may include providing parent-teacher conferences, home visits, and community-based resources.
It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to improving the performance of slow-progressing students. The best approach will vary depending on the specific needs of the students and the school.
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In the past 6 months, my learners performance has improved from the initial fluctuating pattern. On the onset there was a mixture off students who were progressing and those who were failing to do so. Due to the positive effect of my teaching methods and student learning strategies the improvement was quiet palpable.
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Since itās an ESL school some factors that would contribute to a learnersā poor performance are;
- decrease in motivation
- poor attendance
- lack of interest
Keeping a constant monitor on the teaching methods and strategies and studentsā interest is very important for continuous progress.
My subject area (Mathematics):
Examining the test scores of my students in Mathematics of a period over 6 months, showed a handful of studentās improvement in few strands, while the latter showed consistent results and struggling learners. However, after a few consultations and carrying out the item analysis for these learners, a perceptible boost was seen. Thus, it implies the efficiency of the teaching pedagogies to improve the learnerās results. The struggling learners and the inconsistent results may be due to the inclusion of new concepts and strands, hence with more training and guidance, an improvement in the results is imminent.
Patterns emerging in different subjects:
To improve the performance patterns across various subjects, the following can be considered as actions:
ā¢ English- the results do fluctuate due the variety of questions given to students to comprehend. The inconsistency is due to the lack of language skills and illiteracy, hence assessment plans need to be devised together with peer tutoring to combat the rising illiteracy issue.
ā¢ Computer- students results vary in this subject and the results are usually pleasing. For the latter, results average around 60 because of the theory part. Hence, due to practical as observed, students tend to perform better with hands- on tasks.
In conclusion, examining test results from different participants reveals distinctive trends and difficulties. Through the implementation of specific measures, including providing extra assistance in mathematics, enhancing English language proficiency, and maintaining efficient instruction, I can strive to enhance the overall performance of students in every subject. Sustaining success requires constant observation and modification of instructional strategies in response to these trends.
In terms of performance patterns, you may notice that some learners consistently score high while others consistently score low. You may also notice that some learners improve their scores over time while others do not. Additionally, you may see patterns in the topics or types of questions where learners struggle the most.
When examining test scores across different subjects, you may notice that some learners perform well in one subject but struggle in another. You may also see patterns in the types of subjects where learners tend to struggle the most.
To improve performance, you may need to take different actions depending on the patterns that emerge. For example, if you notice that a particular topic or type of question is causing learners to struggle, you may need to provide additional resources or support in that area. If you notice that learners consistently perform poorly in a certain subject, you may need to re-evaluate your teaching methods or provide additional resources to help learners improve in that area. Overall, analyzing test scores can help you identify areas where learners need additional support and guide your efforts to improve retention, progression, and pass rates.
Over a period of 6 months ,students performance in the summative assessments decreased then increased, (there were three summative assessments for my Y13s and Y12s).Their performance decreased from the Mid year exam to the Trial exam but shot up again in the Annual exams.
Comparing these with their CAT marks ,it was significantly higher.
Meanwhile,when comparing the performance of the other subjects ,certain subjects maintain significantly good results,while other subjects such as Mathematics, studentsā performance were okay only for certain topics while the performance for certain topics such as Algebra and Calculus were weaker.
For the subject area of Economics:
- Examine Test Scores:
- The test scores indicates an improvement in student performance over 6 months period
- The individual student scores are: 52, 55, 63, and 82 with a class average of 63 this is just an average marks for all assessments carried out. However, individual student performance indicates an improvement in their marks.
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Performance Pattern:
- Overall improvement in performance over the 6-month period
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Action Plan:
- Based on the performance pattern that emerges, the following actions to improve performance:
- Assess potential reasons such as changes in teaching methods, student engagement, or external factors. Adjust teaching strategies or provide additional support as needed.
For learners across different subjects:
- Examine Test Scores:
- Thw test scores from assessments in Mathematics involves different marks for different strand and also individual assessments carried out over the same 6-month period.
- Performance Patterns:
- Variances in performance across different subjects
- Action Plan:
- Based on the performance patterns, the following actions to improve performance:
* Investigate potential factors such as teaching styles, curriculum alignment, or student interest, and make adjustments as needed to provide balanced support across all subjects.
In both cases, itās important to use data-driven insights to inform targeted interventions and support continuous improvement in student performance. Additionally, ongoing communication with students, parents, and colleagues can provide valuable perspectives and input for developing effective action plans.
When I did the analysis of my learnersā I realised that their performance was gradually improving. I realised that the introduction of part of the content, performance was slightly low but as the training and assessments continued, the performance improved gradually.
For the other subjects, performance was not consistent hence did not exhibit a particular pattern.
Action taken:
I will have to conduct a survey using an online survey tool so that I can reach as many learners as possible.
After which I will code the data and analyse to ascertain what could be causing poor performance among learners.
After ascertaining the root cause of the poor performance, then I will put corrective measures in place.
True, the teaching approach can also affect performance.
Bula,
- For Mathās subject in my class, I found that creating a table to record scores from conducting an assessment on their recognition of numbers 1-20 was easy to track their progress in learning. Also, in that table, I was able to see students who are not showing any improvement and can create strategies to help them improve.
- When keeping a record of learnerās progress across different subjects, I found the importance of recording scores over a period of time and examining them to track performance pattern and conduct intervention when the needs arise.
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