The Decline of OST Math Scores in Ohio�And how OCCS Sponsored Schools Can Overcome the Downward Spiral
Presentation produced by The Ohio Council of Community Schools
The AIR has been given in an online only format since 2017.
Math scores, especially in middle school, experienced a sharp drop after the end of the OAAs TEN years ago.
AIR Assessments have been used consistently since the spring of 2016.
Why haven’t math AIR scores recovered to OAA levels of Proficiency in middle school?
Introducing Equation Editor!�The Most Missed Question Type on the math OST.
82% of OCCS 7th graders received 0 points on questions that required them to use the EE.
60% missed Multiple Choice questions over the same standard.
IT IS NOT A CALCULATOR!
Thoughts about EE to consider
2. What’s the difference between these two symbols? Does it matter which one is used?
3. Do your students know what this is and when to use it?
1. What do all of these things do?
*Due to OCCS’s limited access to Equation Editor, we don’t know for certain if it makes a difference in whether a question is scored as correct or incorrect if a student uses the subtraction symbol and the negative symbol interchangeable. However, the examples below lead us to believe that using them interchangeable will result in a wrong answer.
If you delete or undo an answer using a minus symbol, EE will delete or undo each character separately.
EX: If you type -5+6, you would hit delete twice to delete the – and the 5.
If you delete or undo an answer using the negative symbol, EE will delete or undo it as one character.
EX: If you type -5+6, you would delete once to delete the – and the 5.
If you discover this is not true, please let us know!
Equation Editor Can Look Differently, Depending on What the Question is Asking.
Equation Editor by any other name…�In Item Analysis, it’s called Equation Editor�In Assessment Author, it’s called Equation Response�In the Test Portal search, it’s called Interactive Equation��Before we continue, try it for yourself. Click on the link below. When the tutorial page opens up: �1. select your grade band (3-5 or 6-12). �2. select Practice Test I under the “Question” drop-down (next to the grade band drop-down). �3. Click next. Try the first question.��Link: Equation Editor Tutorial (cambiumast.com)�*If you get the question wrong, please see the next slide for an explanation. ��Note: Yes, this would be much easier if you did the tutorial from the beginning. The point is for you to experience what it would be like if you were sitting for the OST and never practiced using EE. �����
Did you get the questions wrong? Most of us did to the first time! Here’s why: ��Question 1: ��You probably wrote: 5(3+2)-4=21�Because: 3+2 = 5, 5X5=25, 25-4=21��� The answer to the equation is 21. However, that isn’t what the directions asked you to do. The directions were, “Practice creating these expressions and equations.” Giving the answer, even if it was correct, was not what “they” were looking for. ��The answer is: 5(3+2)-4��The same is true of the other two: just type in exactly what you see, without solving it. �
How often are EE questions used on the math OST?
A LOT!
Teaching the students how to use EE may be a game-changer!
On the Spring 2024 Math OST, here’s how often EE question were used in grades 3-6:
On the Spring 2024 Math OST, here’s how often EE question were used in grades 7-high school
How to access EE for your students
Assessment Author (teacher created)
* You can also select the On Readiness Assessment as a filter.
For more information on how to use Assessment Author, click here to access the User Guide and Training Modules.
Pros:
Cons
Final thoughts: Using Assessment Author can be a bit cumbersome to use if you want to use it as a bell ringer or exit ticket. It’s a great way to assess student learning and usage of EE for a short cycle assessment.
Practice Tests (Pre-selected. Students follow the below steps.)�1. Sign in (no username or password required)�2. Select the appropriate grade level�3. Select the test type (Ohio’s State Test)�4. Select the math test you want to use ���
Pros:
Cons:
Final thoughts: Using the Practice Tests are an easier option in terms of less work on the front end. However, you lose the ability to look at results from your own computer and to save the results. You also lose the options to determine question types and number of questions unless you prepare before and tell students exactly what test to pick and what question to go to.
How to access EE for your students
Some thoughts…�The majority of OCCS schools that we spoke with had no idea about the EE question type. ��This means a large majority of our students are seeing questions that use EE for the first time when they sit for the math test. ��This question type seems to assess whether a student can use EE, rather than if a student understands the concept being tested. Whether this is “fair” or not, we must make sure students don’t lose points over it. This can only be done by incorporating use of EE into daily math teaching in all testing grades (3-12) for ALL students. ��General education teachers, Intervention Specialists, Title teachers and ELL teachers should all work together to ensure ALL students are taught how to navigate EE. ��
Have a Question?�Need more information?��Contact:�Judy Sgambati �judy@ohioschools.org