Data SGP is an analysis tool for the R statistical software environment. To use, users need a computer running Windows, OSX, or Linux and access to R’s open source version; although designed specifically for educational assessment data it can also be used with any kind of statistical data analysis; software download is free with numerous online resources to assist newcomers getting started with analysis.
This tool can be run either from the command line or as a Python script, although we recommend the latter due to its increased flexibility and control over the analysis process, making it simpler to automate for larger groups of students or teachers. You can find the code for this script on GitHub page for this tool.
SGP stands for student growth percentile, which measures students against similar MCAS score histories and measures their progress relative to peers with similar histories. It is calculated using each student’s MCAS scores for grades 4-8 ELA/math combined; higher numbers indicate greater relative growth – such as when scoring higher on an recent subject-matter test than half of students with comparable MCAS histories; this measure can be calculated using their MCAS scores from grades 4 through 8, as well as grades 10 for ELA/math together. Its reported as 1-991 with higher numbers indicating greater relative growth; higher numbers indicate greater relative growth – so for example a student would have scored higher on this subject-matter test than half of these students with comparable score histories in terms of progress made since scoring higher marks would have scored better.
SGP provides an effective performance measure of how well programs are preparing students for the future. While SGP should not replace student achievement targets or goals, but rather supplement them by providing a clearer picture of what it takes for students to succeed. By outlining how much each achievement target must grow in order to meet it, goals can be more accurately articulated and measured.
SGP can be used to identify both high achieving students as well as those needing additional support to be successful. Furthermore, it can be used to assess accelerated programs so as to ensure that most of students remain on pace with their peers without being held back by small percentages who do not make sufficient gains.
SGP stands out from competing approaches by enabling schools to establish multi-year growth standards based on official state achievement targets/goals. This unique feature makes the SGP method invaluable in communicating to stakeholders that proficiency must be reached within a certain time frame and can serve as a powerful way of explaining schools’ progress toward an achievement target despite competing priorities.