Hall-Dale Standards-Based Reporting

What is Trending?

Trending is a classroom practice in which the teacher looks at the pattern of achievement to determine whether a student “gets it,” rather than averaging all scores taken over the course of a grading period.

To provide a simple example, let’s say we’re talking about the ELA writing standard.  Of the course of a trimester there are five assessments of this standard.  The scores are

30, 30, 75, 90, 90

If these were averaged, the grade would be a 63.  However, if you look at the pattern of achievement—the trend—it’s clear that, though the student struggled in the beginning they worked at it and “got it” by the end of the trimester.  “Meets” the standard.

If the scores were distributed like this:

90, 90, 75, 30, 30

Then the trend indicates some kind of disconnect—there’s something about the standard they don’t get.  The first course would be to investigate why this is so and recommend the appropriate interventions.  For summative assessments in a standards based system kids, always have a chance to revisit assessments after further instruction.  Still, if, after these interventions, the scores stood as above, then this would be a “Partially Meets” the standard.

If the scores were distributed like this:

90, 75, 30, 30, 90

There really is no apparent trend.  From this spread it’s impossible to say whether or not the student “gets it.” Investigation would be required and further assessment may have to be done.  More data almost always helps in trend analysis.

Gary Chapin
Social Studies Teacher
Hall-Dale High School

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