Page 7 - FDLRS Focus 2019

SIM

(continued from page 6) The Literacy Initiative Team held meetings each week
to work with content area teachers to facilitate discussions, teach the test taking
strategy, share updates, and keep the momentum of the school wide initiative as
our focus. For example, at our first meeting the team focused on the Test Taking
Strategy Stage 4 Verbal Practice. The teachers then went back to their classrooms
and implemented this stage. They came back the next week and shared how they
implemented it and discussed next steps needed for students. The teachers received
incentives such as balls to use during verbal practice, a thank you butterfly gram
with candy, and a PIRATE bookmark to facilitate teacher buy in and keeping the
initiative moving forward.

In October 16, 2017 students began Stage 5: Controlled Practice and Feedback with the first Controlled Practice
Test. A total of 684 students completed the test with 437 students scoring 50% or lower. Students demonstrated
a lack of knowledge with the strategy. By the second Controlled Practice Test in February 5 - 9 of 2018, 318
out of 671 students scored 50% or below, thus showing improvement in using the strategy. Data from the final
Controlled Practice test in April 16 -26 of 2018 showed that students were applying the strategy with more
fidelity; 192 out of 650 students scored 50% or below. The improvement in test scores were significant gains
in Florida State Assessment Test in May of 2018. The majority of Lantana Middle School’s student population
were scoring above 50% with 343 students scoring 71% or higher.

The Literacy Team was very hopeful that students would be able to generalize the strategy to the Florida
Standardized Assessment. In June of 2018 the results were made public by the Florida Department of
Education. Teachers, students, and administrators’ efforts were definitely worth the struggle. The Lantana
Middle School students learned the researched validated
SIM Test Taking Strategy and will continue to build upon
that strategy, which will help them throughout their school
years and in adult life. The students used their knowledge
along with the strategy and showed excellent learning
gains. Our school grade went from a “C” to a “B” and we
continue to aim higher.

At the end of the school year, the team reviewed all the
accomplishments and determined to survey students on
their usage of the Test Taking Strategy. Based on the
survey results, the students’ answers were favorable. They
responded that the Test Taking Strategy prepared them
for tests with 39.9% strongly agreeing, 43.43 % agreeing,
and 17.7% disagreed. Students also answered positively
when asked, if the Test Taking Strategy was easy to learn
with 39.0% strongly agreeing, 48.0% agreeing, and only
13% disagreeing. The students were also asked for their
feedback related to improved performance, generalization
and future use of the strategy. Overall, the students at
Lantana Middle School responded positively towards the
practicality of the Test Taking Strategy and the ease of
using the strategy.

Volume 40 Issue 1 Page 7