Instructional Focus Documents
Findings From Last Year's Test
Tennessee students are struggling in the areas of fractions, geometry, and algebra.
As we analyze our district's data, these findings are also a weakness in our schools.
In response to these struggles, the state has started to develop Instructional Focus Documents (IFD).
Each grade band has a set of released standards that were a deficit on the last test. The state has said they will release a larger number of standards at a later time. Even if you are not teaching a tested math subject, this can provide valuable guidance on how levels of performance can be developed for a standard. If you will notice in your grade level's document, the mathematical practices are being assessed in the performance levels. As we are developing our formative and summative assessments, keep the mathematical practices in mind. Since we have unpacked our standards, this will provide valuable information to enhance our work so far in our understanding of the standards.
Below is an example of one of the standards for 6th grade in the IFD document.
As you read the documents, the information provided gives a glimpse into how questions might be developed for each level of understanding of a standard. Notice the four levels match the performance levels of proficiency [Below, Approaching, On Track, Mastery]. The levels are defined in gray. In the table under each performance level there is a description of what students must be able to accomplish for the standard. The last portion of the table is devoted to instructional focuses. This part of the document gives an idea of how that you can focus your instruction on a specific concept of a standard for students to reach that performance level. The instructional focus will be in blue. This flows nicely with the mathematical practices that we have been discussing.
Food For Thought:
As you have your next PLC meeting revisit your Unpacking Document on the standard you are teaching and see how your unpacking fits into the levels of the IFD. Even though the standards might not be the same, the level of thinking might provide guidance in how you can dig deeper into the standard with your students. (PLC Essential Question #1)
