Wrapping Up the First Year of AZMerit ~ Justin DyeJanuary 24, 2016
Justin Dye is an Arizona native who began his career with La Paloma Academy in Tucson as a second-grade teacher. From there, he moved into administration as a Title I coordinator, after-school director, vice principal, and principal. Mr. Dye’s goal is to educate every student in his school while stressing the importance of teaching character values on a daily basis.
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As parents review the score report, it’s important to remember the following:
The results from AzMERIT should be used along with all of this information to ensure grade-level success. At Heritage Elementary, we are not only utilizing the data from AzMERIT to drive instruction, but teachers are also implementing weekly benchmark testing. Schoolwide Galileo testing is done four times a year to monitor and help improve students understanding of specific reading and math standards. Teachers continue to provide daily re-teach and intervention within their classrooms and our school provides before and after school tutoring classes for students who are falling behind.
Arizona is working hard to get the scoring right on these new tests; that’s why parents received last year’s results well after the start of this school year. We know it is frustrating for parents and teachers to receive the scores now, but in subsequent years, the goal is to have scores available by the end of the same school year, so teachers and parents have a clear understanding of each student’s strengths and areas for improvement. Mesa School District has put together an informative video explaining the scoring – watch it here.
For example: Mr. Hermosillo’s fifth grade classroom has been working on volume. In order for the students to learn how to solve the basic algorithm and have a deeper understanding of this concept his class has taken it a step further, students were required to design a space for an imaginary pet. Students utilized length, width, and height to create an area that would fit their pets comfortably. “Applying visual models, and everyday life experiences to teaching has proven to be more effective in engaging students and preparing them for the upcoming AzMERIT test,” Mr. Hermosillio said.
Together, we will work through these changes.