Challenge
Assistant Superintendent Gregory Hall was focused on improving student outcomes at the middle school level, particularly their math performance on state assessments. Schools reported concerns about students’ knowledge retention and organization in the classroom even as they worked to differentiate instruction and incorporate Depth of Knowledge frameworks into their professional learning communities. Teachers had access to students’ achievement data, but were missing vital information about how their students learn.
Solution
MindPrint Learning was the missing piece for teachers and administrators. In February 2022, two Florence 1 middle schools, Sneed and Williams, administered the MindPrint Learning assessment to all students Grades 6-8 and piloted MindPrint’s Science of Learning professional development. Following these initial PD sessions, teachers utilized MindPrint’s cognitive trend data to address challenging areas for their students, specifically, strategies to support memory and executive functions. MindPrint’s ability to work with Florence 1’s SC READY data to provide predictive analytics that guide intervention as well as whole-school approaches has been a crucial addition to the teachers’ approach and outlook in the classroom.
After successfully rolling out whole-school strategies with 2 schools in SY 22-23, Florence 1 expanded MindPrint access to all 4 middle schools in SY 23-24. The district-wide MindPrint implementation focused on school-level cognitive trends and ongoing virtual and in-person professional development focused on supporting Flexible Thinking for all teachers.
When we talk about differentiation strategies, it isn’t just a buzzword, because we can truly differentiate based on how students cognitively approach learning.
—Gregory Hall, Assistant Superintendent (from District Administration article)
Results
The district continues to see improvement in student achievement in their state assessment, SC READY, results as well as their district-aligned module assessments. Most importantly, teachers and administrators reported feeling empowered by MindPrint data and confident they finally have a clear path forward to support every student. After seeing and discussing the impact of each school’s cognitive trend data, administrators and teachers reported:
- Better understanding of student strengths.
- Recognition of the connection between student behavior and the cognitive skills that need support.
- Interest in integrating MindPrint recommendations and strategies into the IEP and 504 plans to support student needs and provide teachers with a clear path for each student.
- Greater insight into student performance on state assessments, core subjects, & elective classes.
Looking Forward
Florence 1 School District continues to utilize the MindPrint assessment for all middle school Students and to prioritize MindPrint professional development for all teachers. For school year SY 24-25, Florence 1 district leaders will partner with MindPrint Learning to provide middle school teachers with more onsite workshops during PLCs to deepen their understanding of cognitive skills, collaborate on strategy use in the classroom, and plan how to best support students for the SC READY state assessments. All students will continue to utilize the MindPrint assessment and will add the personalized MindPrint Learning BOOST Course into WIN periods so students become more familiar with strategies that leverage their unique strengths and support their needs.
