Assessment and Using Data

A critical element of the Making Middle Grades Work (MMGW) comprehensive school improvement framework is the use of data. Participating states, districts and schools continually use data on student, school and teacher performance to affirm or revise school and classroom practices that will improve student achievement.

The Middle Grades Assessment, administered to eighth-grade students in even-numbered years, is comprised of three subject tests (reading, mathematics and science) coupled with a student survey and a teacher survey. The assessment provides comprehensive school-level data that disaggregate students' achievement by their perception of school and classroom experiences. The results have given schools, districts and states a unique opportunity to document school improvement efforts and determine what is and is not working to increase student achievement. The next Middle Grades Assessment will be conducted in winter 2010.

Additional information regarding the Middle Grades Assessment:

• A Guide to Using the Middle Grades Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform
• Workbook: Using the Middle Grades Assessment Report to More Deeply Implement School Reform
• Administering the 2008 MMGW Assessment PowerPoint slide show (PDF file)

• At a Glance: The 2006 Middle Grades Assessment

• Motivating Students to Put Forth Their Best Effort and Other Tips for Administering the High Schools That Work and Middle Grades Assessments 

The MMGW Teacher Survey is administered during even-numbered years in conjunction with the Middle Grades Assessment. The next teacher survey will be conducted in winter 2010.

The MMGW Principal Survey is administered in the spring of even-numbered years. The next principal survey will be conducted in spring 2010.

SREB asks all Making Middle Grades Work (MMGW) sites to complete the Annual Progress Report to provide critical information about their schools. These reports contain information about the school's accomplishments and challenges over the previous school year. School leaders also provide information about policies and practices currently in place in their schools. This information is used in conjunction with the MMGW student and teacher assessment reports to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the schools in the MMGW network.

Online submission of the 2008 MMGW Annual Progress Report is currently available. The Annual Report will be due November 28, 2008.

Access your school's 2007 Annual Progress Report

Information regarding assessments offered by other SREB school improvement initiatives is available on the High Schools That Work Assessment Web page.

For more information, please e-mail Allison Timberlake at allison.timberlake@sreb.org.