Value-Added Analysis and
Professional Development

2008-2009

Measuring Progress and Achievement...
"The Power of Two"

Capital Region BOCES offers Value-Added Analysis as a service for districts to initiate the use of the Value-Added Analysis and professional development to improve teaching and learning. The BOCES has entered into a statewide contract with "Battelle for Kids," a not-for-profit agency from Columbus, Ohio, who has pioneered the training in understanding and using Value-Added Analysis throughout the nation, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

Data
First, a district must be able to provide the required prior and current achievement test scores for their students. Currently, scores from the state achievement tests meet the criteria necessary to carry out the analysis. We are requiring all state assessment data for 2005-2006, 2006-2007, and current 2007-2008 scores for all students in grades 4-8 in the 2007-2008 school year. This data will provide districts with 2007-2008 Value-Added reports for grades 4-8.

District Team
Secondly, the district must commit to the training of at least a three-person team who will serve as district turnkey trainers. The team should be comprised of the person in the district who has system-wide responsibility for curriculum and staff development, a building or subject area administrator, and a teacher leader. The training involves 5 full days spread out over a five- to seven-month period with reading and opportunities for application in between sessions. The training is designed to prepare the team to provide Value-Added implementation training within their district. Capital Region BOCES would require a training group of at least six teams from any BOCES/Region in order for us to conduct localized training.

·    Student Analysis – (Aidable through cross contract with Capital Region BOCES under BOCES COSER 604 RIC activity code 7710) $2.50 per student in grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in the 2007-2008 school year. SAS, the nationally well-regarded statistical analysis firm using the Value-Added metric developed by William Sanders, will carry out the analysis and produce the Web-based reports.

·    Data Formatting and Transmission – Your district will need to work with your local Regional Information Center (RIC) to organize and format the data allowing for the transmission of the data to SAS. Your local RIC will determine if there is a cost associated with this service.

·    Team Training (Aidable if your district participates in your BOCES School/Curriculum Improvement COSER – cross contract with Capital Region BOCES under 507 School/Curriculum Improvement activity code 6211) – $6,000 for the three-person district team participating in the 5 days of training. This fee encompasses the training, lunches and break refreshments, and a comprehensive set of resource materials to assist the team in implementing Value-Added in their district. Districts at their option may send up to three additional staff as part of their team at an additional cost of $500 per person. Capital Region BOCES will discuss cost options with districts choosing to send more than one team. One Training Tool Kit is included in the cost for a team of up to six participants.

For additional information about Value-Added Analysis and the professional development related to its implementation, please contact: Heather Adams, Value-Added Coordinator - email: hadams@gw.neric.org phone: 518.464.3996, 900 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Suite 102 Albany, NY 12205.

Commitment Form 2008-2009