July 2009
Terra Nova Report
Standardized testing of Saint Andrew School students was completed in March 2009. Terra Nova Assessments are the standardized tests used throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. These tests help educators understand and evaluate student mastery of state standards. The assessments provide a benchmark of student performances and enhance classroom instruction.
With the exclusion of the seventh graders, all students in grades K-8 at Saint Andrew School took the newest edition, Terra Nova 3, Complete Battery. Like the previously administered Terra Nova 2, this assessment is made up of multiple choice questions only. However, it differs in content from the earlier edition. The Reading, Language, and Mathematics tests of the Terra Nova 3 assess greater depths of knowledge overall. The Terra Nova 3 requires synthesis and evaluation of information in ways the Terra Nova 2 did not. Another difference lies in the norms used for comparison. The results of Terra Nova 3 compare our students with students across the nation who took the same test in 2007; as opposed to Terra Nova 2 which compared results to the performance of the students in 2000. During that seven year span, student learning was enhanced by the advancement and integration of technology in education. This has had an impact on the median scores across the nation.
In Understanding Terra Nova Score Changes when Transitioning to Terra Nova, Third Edition (2008), the test publishers, CT/McGraw Hill, advise educators of the possibility that student performance may shift slightly in the first year. Our scores show some evidence of this shift. The fact that our curriculum has been updated and aligned with the Religion, Rigor and Relevance framework kept this variance to a minimum. This shift should only be evident in the first year.
The scores published in the chart below represent the median composite scores for content areas tested in grades 1, 3, 5, and 7. National percentile scores are distributed in quartiles with a median score of 50. As you will see, all Archdiocesan schools gained scores above the national norms in all content areas. This is a clear indication of the value of Catholic education and the curriculum set forth by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The value of a Catholic education provided by Saint Andrew School is made evident in the scores. For example, our first graders scored 35 points higher than the national average student in reading.
| Grade | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Phila. Delco. SAS | Phila. Delco. SAS | Phila. Delco. SAS | Phila. Delco. SAS | |
| Reading | 68 78 85 | 64 72 72 | 65 72 81.5 | 72 74 78.8 |
| Language | 70 77 70 |
60 70 85 | 77 79 78 | |
| Mathematics | 64 71 67 | 66 76 81 | 60 71 70.8 | 71 76 82 |
| Total | 72 82 79 | 67 75 71.3 | 60 69 80 | 76 80 81 |
We are particularly proud of the 7th grade results. These students took the Multiple Assessment format, which consists of multiple choice answers and constructed responses. This is the first time constructed responses were submitted for evaluation in a standardized test. Saint Andrew students responded quite well to the new format. As a result of their performance on the Terra Nova 3, Multiple Assessments, nearly one half of our seventh grade students are poised to qualify to sit for the Neumann Scholarship examination. The Connelly Foundation, which offers the scholarship, requires a National Percentile (NP) total score of 90 or above OR a Cognitive Skills Index (CSI) of 120 or above in the seventh grade Terra Nova tests. These students will need a general average of 92 or better in the first trimester of 8th grade in order to sit for the exam.
Subtest results indicate that the student skills are strong in the Pre Algebraic skills such as; fractions, integers, percents, patterns, functions, problem solving and reasoning. Results also demonstrate that our students are adept at implementing reading and writing strategies, as well as, editing skills. Overall, our students performed best in the area of Social Studies. With the exception of two grades, over one half of our students scored at the high mastery level in each of the Social Studies subtests; Geographical Perspectives, History and Culture, Civics and Government, and Economic Perspective.
The Terra Nova results indicate to us a need to seek ways to improve literacy skills. There is also a noticeable difference in the achievement of our girls and boys. Science is an area of concern across the Archdiocese. These indicators have served as an impetus for initiatives set in place for the fall of 2009. As a result the following plan for improvement has been implemented:
Special instruction for students needing reading support will be provided to students in grades 1-5. Sister Elizabeth Lindsay will take small, pull-out groups for reading on a daily basis. Sister has her B.S. in Elementary Education from Chestnut Hill College. She holds a Masters in Education with a Reading Specialty from Beaver College. Prior to her 7th grade assignment at Saint Andrew, S. Liz was our reading specialist. We are most grateful to Msgr. Grous and the Parish Council for allowing the reinstatement of this specialist position to meet the needs of our children.
Over the summer, faculty members will be doing research on topics such as; gender differences in learning, English language learners, cultural differences among learners, and the unique learning styles of twins. Information gleaned from research will be shared during the 2009-2010 faculty meetings so that all will have a better understanding of the children we teach. The fall in-service days are focused on similar learning issues.
Saint Andrew School has committed to pursue the means to procure the Lab Learner Science program for our children. This program is endorsed by the Office of Catholic Education. Lab Learner Science is a hands on, experimentally based curriculum. We have the space for the lab ready to go. What we need are the funds, a minimum of $20,000, to buy into the program. Applications for grants to supplement the balance of the actual costs have been submitted by the Office of Catholic education and Dr. Keith Verner, Director of Lab Learner Science. Suggestions and leads as to how to go about raising the down payment would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Mrs. McLean at the school office 610-259-5145 or at hmclean@saintandrewschool.com