Joy Fuller

EDU 602: Assessment of Learning

Field Experience
Part A: District and Building Identification
District: Westside Community Schools
Building: Westgate Elementary
Assessment: NeSA Reading
Testing Level: Grade 3
Standardized Test Identifications and Explanations: In Nebraska every student
grades 3-8 and 11 are required to take state testing which includes reading and math.
Every student will be tested in writing in grades 4, 8, and 11. Science is tested in grades
6,8, and 11. For reading students need to be able to read grade level text for meaning,
use strategies, identify the authors purpose, identify text characteristics, elements and
features, use literary devices, and answer literal and inferential questions.
Part B: Raw Data
Share the Data:
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%

State

50%

Westside

40%

Westgate

30%
20%
10%
0%
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015

Year
2010-2011
2011-2012
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015

State
71%
76%
77%
79%
82%

Westside
77%
84%
87%
86%
89%

Westgate
41%
77%
67%
93%
92%

Year
20102011
20112012
20122013
20132014
20142015

State

Westside

Westgate

Vocab
75%

Comp
66%

Vocab
78%

Comp
71%

Vocab
70%

Comp
54%

75%

68%

79%

73%

77%

69%

62%

67%

67%

77%

58%

68%

66%

68%

71%

72%

69%

70%

71%

67%

75%

72%

69%

66%

White

Other

Population Information:
Student Enrollment
State
312,281
Westside
6,106
Westgate
306
Free and Reduced
Lunch
State
44.17%
Westside
31.9%
Westgate
58.5%

Ethnic
Diversity
State
Westside
Westgate

212,964
4,580
165

99,317
1,526
141

The information was used from the 2014-2015 school year.

Part C: Data Summary and Interpretation
Summary: While the district scored higher than the state every year in third grade
reading Westgate did not. Westgate scored 31% lower than the state in 2010-2011, but
the next year they improved by 37%, which landed them 1% above the state. In 20122013 Westgate dipped down, but the next two years Westgate scored above both the
district and the state. Overall the scores state, district, and Schoolwide are climbing.
Westgate, Westside, and statewide the scores for comprehension and vocabulary are
similar.
Interpretation: Clearly five years ago Westgate was really struggling in reading. Then
something great started to transpire at Westgate and continues to be doing great. For
the most part, Westgate scores are continuing to rise in reading, writing, math, and
science.

Part D: Next Step

Next Step: Clearly reading is an area of strength for Westgate; this is in part due to
how much reading support is given at Westgate. Westgate should continue to use the
supports in place in order to sustain the reading scores. In addition, Westgate needs to
add math, science, and writing supports. Writing is the lowest score Westgate has, last
year Westgate Schoolwide was only at a 63%, math was 78%, and science was 77%, while
reading was an 87%.
Next year we are adopted Nebraska State Standards; this should long-term assist in
raising the scores on math. Westgate really does need to put more emphasis on math,
science, and writing. A way to do this is by doing professional develop surrounding
these areas. Last year, teachers in grades 2-4 went to professional development for
writing due to our low scores, but now that they had the training they will need someone
to help them implement and sustain what they learned. More time and emphasis needs
to be given to science, I feel that generally science gets taught after reading, writing, and
math. It is the subject area that you get to if there is time left at the end of the day. It
will be important to make science time as sacred as other subject areas. By providing
more staff development for math, science, and writing along with help to implement and
sustain what was learned it should help raise the test scores.