Case Studies: Overview | Battelle for Kids | Williamsport
Battelle for Kids (BFK) is a national non-profit organization that partners with school districts to deliver educational services to improve teaching and learning. More than just a source of value-added data collection and analysis systems, Battelle specializes in providing districts with the professional development, communications, and research needed to implement the various components of value-added analysis. Battelle has worked with districts in Ohio and the Houston Independent School District to create three school-improvement initiatives driven by value-added data analysis:
- School's Online Achievement Reports (SOAR), Ohio. SOAR is composed of school districts across Ohio that have committed to using value-added analysis to improve teaching and increase students' academic growth. Battelle provides SOAR districts with professional development and the resources needed to support educators in improving student learning. To learn more about SOAR visit Battelle's SOAR Portal.
- Teachers Connecting Achievement and Progress (T-CAP), Ohio. T-CAP is a pilot program working with principals to collect value-added data at the classroom level. T-CAP provides schools with additional training so that teachers can effectively use their classroom-level value-added data to inform practice. To learn more about T-CAP visit Battelle's T-CAP Portal.
- Accelerating Student Progress. Increasing Results and Expectations (ASPIRE), Houston. ASPIRE is an educational improvement and performance management model employed by the Houston Independent School District. ASPIRE focuses on four key components of successful data-driven improvement initiatives: developing human capital, recognizing excellence, informing practice, and improving teaching and learning. To learn more about ASPIRE visit Battelle's ASPIRE Portal.
Professional development and training are the cornerstones of Battelle for Kids education services. Battelle focuses on helping educators learn to use value-added information to drive strategic school improvement.
Content of Professional Development
In order for educators at all levels - district, school, and classroom - to effectively utilize value-added data to drive decision-making, they must first be given ample support and training. Battelle's professional development program is ongoing and includes extensive resources and tools. Since value-added is a complex concept, Battelle trains educators in stages in order to ensure participants understand how to use data analysis to inform practice. Although training will vary depending upon the target audience and stage of implementation, Battelle's training generally follows the four-module pattern laid out in their value-added toolkit:
- Module 1: Getting Ready for Value-Added Analysis
Training at this stage assists participants in evaluating their level of readiness to use value-added information. Participants become familiar with successful implementation stories and begin to think about a plan to create a climate for success. - Module 2: An Introduction to Value-Added Progress Measures
During this stage educators become familiar with the basic concepts of value-added reporting and analysis. Training at this stage focuses on the rationale behind using value-added, the benefits for teachers, principals, and superintendents, and frequently asked questions. - Module 3: Understanding Value-Added Analysis
At this point, Battelle's training offers participants an overview of value-added analysis as a diagnostic tool and how it informs school improvement efforts. Participants learn how value-added analysis is calculated, discuss key issues related to the growth model, and participate in activities that introduce common factors that affect student learning. - Module 4: How to Navigate and Interpret Value-Added Reports
During this stage educators are taught how to access value-added data, identify and interpret value-added reports, and identify trends in value-added results. At this point participants are ready to begin to use data analysis to inform practice.
Implementing Professional Development
Battelle for Kids uses a network of regional and district trainers operating across a school district or state to provide quality professional development for educators. Battelle directly trains a series of regional value-added specialists, who then pass their knowledge on to district value-added specialists, who in turn train local educators. This "train the trainer" model not only proves to be more cost effective than traditional forms of professional development, but it builds a base of local expertise and empowers local educators to be leaders among their peers. The two specialists identified in this training pipeline are:
- Regional Value-Added Specialists (RVAS)
Battelle for Kids directly trains a corps of Regional Value-Added Specialists (RVAS). The RVAS are expected to possess a deep understanding of the value-added metric, as well as the ability to effectively teach others how to use the metric for school improvement. As part of their training, RVAS receive curriculum guides, the Battelle for Kids Value-Added Toolkit, professional development tools, and attend the National Value-Added Assessment Conference. Once RVAS have completed their training, they in turn begin to pass down their knowledge and train the District Value-Added Specialists. - District Value-Added Specialists (DVAS)
The Regional Value-Added Specialists train a group of District Value-Added Specialists (DVAS) to use value-added data in their school districts. DVAS are expected to develop the capacity to access, interpret, and use value-added progress information to promote high student achievement in their district. Once they have completed their training, the DVAS continue the training pipeline by training principals, teachers, and other educators in their districts.
The following resources provide additional information on Battelle for Kids' value-added training.
- The Ohio-Learn program offers a series of trainings and resources to support teachers in understanding value-added.
- Battelle for Kids' PowerPoint presentations are helpful introductory resources that provide participants with further knowledge about value-added calculations and factors related to student learning.
- BFK Learn provides an overview of the online training resources available to support the work of RVAS and DVAS.