Student Learning Division

Sad but true, the 2010-2011 school year will be coming to a close soon.  But the learning does not have to stop for students.  With CompassLearning, students can continue to work on RIT-based activities throughout the summer.  If students have access to a computer and high speed internet they can access the CompassLearning site and work on the individualized assignments that are developed from their last MAP assessment.    Several schools are planning on offering some summer hours for students to access CompassLearning.  Check out the school websites in June to see who will be open. The local libraries also will be open throughout the summer and students can access CompassLearning there as well.  Don’t want to hang out at a school or library? Have a laptop but no internet access?  McDonald’s and other local eateries offer free wi-fi.  Grab a cup of coffee and let your child access CompassLearning there.  Bottom line, the learning does not have to stop if you don’t want it to.

I hope everyone has a safe and restful summer. But don’t forget, the learning does not have to stop in June and July.

If you have not checked out CompassLearning yet, you may be in the minority.  Everyone is talking about this latest tool provided to teachers and students.  Students in elementary and middle school get RIT-based automatically assigned activities after they take the MAP test.  High School students may get a RIT based activity in math or reading if  they have a growth need.  As teachers learn more about this tool, students can be assigned activities to shore up their weaknesses and enrich their areas of strength. 

To access CompassLearning all students need is an internect connection and their username and password from school.  The website is http://Odyssey.bullittschools.org and a link is on schools’ websites.  This tool is avaliable for student use at home in the evenings and on weekends.  It is a wonderful learning tool to help students achieve their academic goals.

Join the crowd!  Get on CompassLearning today!

Starting after the holiday break, teachers and students will be able to start utilizing the newest instructional tool the district has to offer. 

Compass Learning from Odyssey is a highly engaging and interactive resource for students and teachers alike.  Based on years of research and cooperation with NWEA, makers of our MAP assessment, Compass Learning provides remediation, instruction, and enrichment for students via the Internet.  Once students take the MAP test, their scores are retrieved and sent to Compass Learning.  The program then develops a distinct learning path for each student based on their identified needs.  Teachers can also change and modify assignments as desired and even develop their own lessons for students based on the many resources Odyssey has to offer.

Training for instructional coaches and others has already taken place  with more scheduled soon. Training for teachers will happen soon after the holidays.  Compass is such a well thought out tool that teachers will not need much to get started.  Students will just need a login and password to start learning.

I know once students and teachers get to start with Compass they will be excited as the district is to have this new tool available.

Once again the Student Learning Division, along with the Kentucky Parent Involvement Resource Center, will be hosting MAP parent informational nights at regional locations. 

During the MAP informational sessions parents can learn how the MAP assessment works, how teachers are using the data generated by the MAP assessment, and how we are using MAP to move all students towards proficiency.  Parents will also get the chance to take a practice assessment so they can experience what their students experience while taking a MAP assessment.

The meetings will be held October 13th at Bullitt Lick Middle, October 16th at Zoneton Middle, and October 20th at Mt. Washington Middle School.  The meetings will begin at 6:00 P.M. and will last approximately one hour.  It does not matter where in the county your child goes to school, you are welcome to attend any of the sessions.

We hope to see you on one of these dates!

MAP testing is just around the corner.  The fall window for grades 1-11 is August 23rd to September 10th.  Students in Kindergarten can test after the initial window when they become more familiar with computers and develop their mouse skills. 

The data that MAP gives us allows us to individualize instruction to a higher degree than ever before.  Once a student takes the MAP test, they receive a RIT score in math and a RIT and LEXILE score in reading.  Teachers can use these RIT scores and the accompanying DesCartes to provide targeted instruction to reach all students. 

If you need assistance in understanding RIT scores,LEXILES, or how to use DesCartes, don’t hesitate to contact me.  MAP is a wonderful tool that helps us help students excel to their maximum potential.

One great way to make sure your child is still learning over the summer is for them to read at least twenty minutes a day.  Your child should have received a reading list as they left school for summer break.  If you did not receive this, contact your school for more information.