Data SGP is a software package that performs longitudinal analysis of student achievement data. Its graphical user interface is designed to help users understand and interpret data. It is a powerful tool for educators, parents and researchers to better interpret the growth of their students. Its use allows teachers to focus on instruction, and parents to monitor the progress of their children.

The term “big data” is often used to describe a large volume of information that needs to be analyzed for insights. This is in contrast to traditional analytics, which uses smaller, more manageable sets of data. Data SGP is a big step up in scale from this, but it still relies on a relatively straightforward relational database.

A new feature of the tool is the ability to create a student growth trajectory from data collected by the state. The trajectory shows the student’s likely growth path over time, and can be compared to other students with similar performance. This will allow educators to see what kind of progress a student is making, and whether or not they are on track to reach their desired academic goals.

To construct a trajectory, a student’s current and past scores are compared to the average of all students with similar score histories. This produces a list of possible future growth points that a student may need to reach to reach proficiency. This range of potential growth points is defined by the student’s current score compared to their academic peers, a figure called their Student Growth Percentile (SGP).

As an example, suppose a sixth grader Simon achieved a SGP of 55 on the state ELA test this year. This would mean that his score rose by 70 points in one year, putting him above 55% of the other students. This is a positive sign that Simon is growing, but it’s not clear whether or not he will make it to proficiency.

Another important aspect of interpreting SGPs is understanding that percentile ranks are calculated anew each year. A difference of fewer than 10 points between years should not be considered significant.

SGPs can be useful for low performing students, because they can demonstrate that they are improving their performance. They can also give high achieving students something beyond the proficiency level to strive for.

A SGP is an excellent way for students to track their own progress, but they are not a substitute for a traditional report card. Educators should review the SGP reports in conjunction with other assessment data to determine a complete picture of a student’s performance. It is also important for schools to provide support and resources to all students, regardless of their SGP. This includes providing additional instruction and support for struggling students, providing interventions to high achieving students, and encouraging teachers to be transparent with their students and families. This will help ensure that all students have the best chance of success in school.