NWEA - Northwest Evaluation Association Student Goal-Setting Process Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Ms. Anya is conducting a goal-setting conference with a student. Which of the following approaches best promotes student ownership and investment in the learning process?
- Analyzing the Student Profile report together and collaboratively identifying a specific learning statement from the Learning Continuum to focus on. (Correct answer)
- Providing the student with a pre-determined RIT score goal based on the district's average growth expectations.
- Showing the student the Class Profile report to compare their performance with their peers and set a competitive goal.
- Having the student select a fun, non-academic reward they will receive if they meet the teacher-assigned growth projection.
Correct answer: Analyzing the Student Profile report together and collaboratively identifying a specific learning statement from the Learning Continuum to focus on.
Effective goal-setting is a collaborative process that empowers students. By discussing the Student Profile report with the student and jointly selecting a specific learning statement, the teacher centers the goal on tangible skills rather than just a number, fostering student agency and investment.
Question 2: A fifth-grade student's fall reading RIT score places them at the 35th percentile. The teacher uses the MAP Growth Goal Explorer tool with the student. The 'Average Growth' projection indicates the student will likely remain at the 35th percentile in the spring. To improve their achievement percentile, what type of goal should the teacher and student consider setting?
- A custom goal that is lower than the average growth projection to build confidence.
- An 'Average Growth' goal, as this is the most realistic target for the majority of students.
- An 'Aspirational Growth' goal, which is set at a percentile of growth higher than the median (50th percentile). (Correct answer)
- A goal focused solely on test-taking strategies without a specific RIT target.
Correct answer: An 'Aspirational Growth' goal, which is set at a percentile of growth higher than the median (50th percentile).
To improve an achievement percentile, a student's growth must exceed the average growth of their peers. The 'Aspirational Growth' goal is designed for this purpose, as it represents a target (e.g., 60th percentile of growth) that is above the median, helping the student 'catch up' or gain ground relative to their peers.
Question 3: Which of the following is the MOST effective type of goal to create with a student based on their MAP Growth data?
- "I will increase my math RIT score by 10 points by the spring test."
- "By the end of the geometry unit, I will be able to use the Pythagorean theorem to find the missing side of a right triangle in 4 out of 5 problems." (Correct answer)
- "I will try harder in math class and participate more in group work."
- "I will score above the class average on the spring MAP Growth test."
Correct answer: "By the end of the geometry unit, I will be able to use the Pythagorean theorem to find the missing side of a right triangle in 4 out of 5 problems."
The most effective goals are specific, skill-based, and measurable. A goal focused on a specific learning statement (e.g., using the Pythagorean theorem) connects the MAP Growth data to classroom instruction and provides a clear, actionable target for the student to work on and for the teacher to support.
Question 4: Mr. Davis is preparing for student goal-setting conferences. He wants to create a document with each student that outlines their RIT score, their growth goal, and the specific actions they will take to achieve it. This document will be signed by the student, teacher, and shared with parents. Which NWEA resource is specifically designed for this purpose?
- The Class Profile Report
- The Achievement Status and Growth (ASG) Report
- The Learning Continuum
- The Student Goal Setting Worksheet (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The Student Goal Setting Worksheet
The Student Goal Setting Worksheet is a report designed to be used with a student to set growth and learning goals. It serves as a learning contract to help students establish ownership and can be shared with parents to communicate the plan.
Question 5: During a goal-setting conversation, a student seems disengaged and says, "I'm just not good at reading." What is the teacher's most effective FIRST step to re-engage the student in the process?
- Immediately show the student the Learning Continuum to select a skill to work on.
- Set a high aspirational goal for the student to motivate them to work harder.
- Start by discussing the student's strengths and asking them about what parts of the assessment felt easy or successful. (Correct answer)
- Explain the statistical importance of the RIT score and how it impacts their academic future.
Correct answer: Start by discussing the student's strengths and asking them about what parts of the assessment felt easy or successful.
To build student buy-in and a growth mindset, it's crucial to start with a positive and collaborative tone. Beginning the conversation by acknowledging strengths and asking for the student's perspective on the test experience helps build rapport and shifts the focus from a fixed mindset ('I'm not good at this') to a growth-oriented one.
Question 6: A key principle of the NWEA goal-setting process is that goals should connect directly to upcoming classroom instruction. A student's Student Profile report suggests an area for growth in 'Measurement and Data.' However, the teacher's curriculum map does not cover that unit until late spring. What is the most appropriate action for the teacher?
- Set a goal for 'Measurement and Data' anyway, and provide the student with independent work packets.
- Tell the student they do not need to set a goal for this term since their area of need doesn't align with the curriculum.
- Collaborate with the student to identify a different area of focus from their report that aligns with the instructional units planned before the next MAP Growth test. (Correct answer)
- Change the curriculum map for the entire class to align with this one student's immediate needs.
Correct answer: Collaborate with the student to identify a different area of focus from their report that aligns with the instructional units planned before the next MAP Growth test.
Goals are most effective when they are relevant and can be worked on in the context of classroom learning. If the primary area of need is not being taught soon, the best practice is to collaborate with the student to find a secondary area of focus that does align with the upcoming curriculum, making the goal-setting process meaningful and actionable.
NWEA - Northwest Evaluation Association Student Goal-Setting Process Questions and Answers
Ms.
Anya is conducting a goal-setting conference with a student.
Which of the following approaches best promotes student ownership and investment in the learning process?