SHARP Students BRIGHT
Futures
- SHARP Books: Student-researched We Love to Learn book series. The 11th book is scheduled to be released in September.
- SHARP Results: SHARP students show significant vocabulary gains. We are currently compiling the results from the pre- and post- assessments for 2012-2013. (See more below)
- SHARP Initiatives: Book In Every Child’s Hands, Artist-in-Residence (Murals and Quilts), and the Writing Challenges.
- SHARP Grade Level Specific-Curriculum: SHARP-developed student and teacher workbooks aligned with the Wisconsin Academic Standards for science, social studies, and language arts. This past year the SHARP program was implemented in 248 classrooms and 30 schools.
- SHARP Hands-on learning tools and experiences: Working in partnership with Milwaukee School of Engineering and Brady Corporation, SHARP has developed 3D learning tools to use in conjunction with the 1st grade book about pollination and the 2nd grade book about water.
- SHARP Tours: SHARP students in grades 2-5 attend a SHARP-trained docent-led tour of the Milwaukee Art Museum. SHARP students in grade 1 attend a tour of the Haggerty Museum of Art at Marquette University.
Now more on the Results!
 |
| Bee Quilting Unveiling at the Milwaukee Art Museum |
In
the 2011-12 school year, SHARP began testing all SHARP students across all
grade levels and at all SHARP schools. Previous assessments included only
a subset of the SHARP student population. Pre- and post- vocabulary
assessments include using context clues instead of the current practice of only
matching words with definitions to more closely align with expectations on the
Smarter Balanced Assessments.
This
year, SHARP hired an external evaluator to complete a comprehensive assessment
of SHARP student achievement (grades 1 through 5), a comparison between SHARP
students’ ability to correctly identify and use vocabulary words and students
that do not currently participate, and a longitudinal study tracking SHARP
students’ progress as they advance through the grades. These measurable
outcomes will provide evidence-backed validation of the SHARP program’s
impact.
The
final report will be released in early August as part of the SHARP Annual
Report, but we do have some preliminary results.
1st Grade-Semester
1, Apple Pie Tree
The
first grade program continues to grow, and over 1,000 1st grade
students participated this year. Results indicate that during the 1st
semester, on average, 82% of SHARP 1st graders made significant gains in
identifying and using curriculum-related vocabulary words. This is an
increase from 68% in 2011-12. Nearly 80% of 1st graders took the
assessment this year.
The
schools with the highest percent of vocabulary gains and highest percent of
students tested for grade 1 are as follows:
School
|
% of
students tested
|
% of
students with vocabulary gains
|
Blessed Sacrament
|
100%
|
100%
|
Escuela Vieau
|
95%
|
92%
|
Victory School
|
86%
|
90%
|
King’s Academy
|
94%
|
88%
|
Catholic East
|
100%
|
83%
|
All Grades Participation Rates for
Select SHARP schools
The
goal is that 75% of our students to complete both pre- and
post-assessments. The initial average is 82%, an increase from last
year’s 77%.
All Grades Percent of Vocabulary Gains
for Select SHARP schools
 |
| SHARP 2nd Grader |
The
goal is that at least 60% of all SHARP students demonstrate a significant
improvement in thematic vocabulary and concept acquisition over the course of
one year. The average for select SHARP schools is currently 93%.
These
results show that big things are happening at SHARP! We will continue to
assess our program in order to best serve our schools and students. Thank you
for being a part of our students’ journey and helping them achieve the bright
futures that they work so hard for, and that they deserve.
