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Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Engineering (OMSTE)

Galileo Pilot Project

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) is partnering with Assessment Technology, Inc. (ATI) to implement ATI's instructional data system, Galileo Online. The pilot project, initially focused on grades 5-8 mathematics and involving approximately 15,000 students in 25 middle schools from eight districts, was launched during the 2005-2006 school year. At this time nine districts are involved (Chelsea, Chicopee, Fitchburg, Gill-Montague, Leominster, Lowell, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield), the number of students has more than doubled, and some districts have expanded into English language arts and additional grade levels (e.g., 3-10).

The purpose of the pilot is to evaluate the capacity of an instructional data system to support the systematic improvement of teaching and learning.

The assessment and data analysis system enhances the ability of teachers, school and district administrators, parents, and students to identify trends in student learning, improve classroom instruction, and ultimately raise student academic achievement. Pilot districts work with ATI to custom design benchmark (interim) assessments and then use the technology for administration, analysis, and reporting. These assessments provide data to inform instruction, support programmatic decision-making, encourage collaborative inquiry, and enable systematic student interventions.

Phase I of the pilot, during the 2005-2006 school year, focused on the implementation of district-wide benchmark assessments. Phase II, during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years, targets two additional goals: (a) establishing formal systems for student intervention and support, and (b) engaging teachers in classroom formative assessment. Phase I was funded primarily through the Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) grant and Phase II is funded through the Title IID Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) grant and targeted assistance funds.

The Department supports pilot districts through direct services and consultation as well as 2-3 pilot meetings per year that provide opportunities for training, collaboration, and collective problem solving. Further, ESE and ATI work together on an ongoing basis to continuously improve the system's user interface, assessment item banks, and report functionality.

In addition to the research efforts of ATI to examine the relationship between Galileo benchmark assessments and the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, the impact of the pilot on school culture and instructional practice is being investigated by an external evaluation. The results of these and other related studies will inform Department initiatives and policies related to district- and school-level formative assessment, collaborative data analysis, and systematic student support.

For more information please contact Life LeGeros at 781-338-3537 or llegeros@doe.mass.edu.