We prefer success to be measured in more ways than standardized testing, but we do think that student performance on tests will improve as organizational capacity develops.
So, let’s look: In 2009, Pensarus helped HHS experienced a 7 percentage point gain in Reading. Pensarus was contracted in late October 2008 to review data and implement a literacy program. When Pensarus came in, students were scoring at 19% proficiency levels on benchmark assessments. Pensarus worked to increase that benchmark proficiency rate to 37% within 5 months, this is after teachers and students had gotten off on the wrong foot and despite winter breaks interrupting programming. Math performance declined that year, as this was not an area that Pensarus consultants supported. We do not believe that there was cheating during this time, as we were in the building on testing day, and we have not been notified of any issues.
Pensarus recommends 1-3 year engagments to ensure sustainability, but HHS decided that services were not in-budget for 2010 and performance declined. In 2011, HHS opted for new leadership, and supported by Pensarus’ partner organization, the Center for Educational Improvement, scores increased dramatically (20+ percentage points) with the year’s-worth of support. Again, we have not been notified of any cheating; although, we were not as involved with testing procedures.
For more information, or to see how you can learn from our experiences, please feel free to contact us at:info@pensarus.com.
