How the Early Warning System Works
An At-Risk student is a student who, by virtue of their circumstances, is statistically more likely than others to fail academically. The OnHand Schools edInisght Student Performance Suite features an Early Warning System that provides predictive analysis reports and alerts you when problems arise.
Using the research compiled by Dr. Donovan Mann at Conestoga Valley School District and Better High Schools, OnHand Schools has added an Early Warning System to edInisght that uses a risk index probability prediction based on misconduct, state tests, formative/benchmark tests, course grades, and attendance.
The system will use this information to determine an At-Risk rank for all students. The idea is that with advanced warning, a district can design interventions to help students that are in danger of academic failure, or the more serious long term implications of not graduating on time.
Why an Early Warning System is Important According to Better High Schools
Early warning systems use routinely available data housed at the school. This data can be used to make good predictors on the likelihood of a student dropping out of school.
First-month, first-quarter, and first-semester absences are additional strong predictors of drop out; this data is available early in the school year. Districts and schools can use this information to target interventions that support off-track students while they are still in school, before they drop out.
Districts and schools use the data to look for patterns and identify school climate issues that may contribute to disproportionate dropout rates at a subset of high schools or within sub-populations of students.
At Risk Scoring System Identifies Those with the Greatest Needs
The algorithm created for the Early Warning System is created around several of Dr. Mann’s research projects. OnHand Schools has incorporated an At-Risk scoring system that ranks students based on the weighing of five research based categories. Below are the categories, brief description and score [points] assigned to each category.
Student Absence
Only full day excused and unexcused absence are scored.
- Full day excused – scores 1 for each absence
- Full day unexcused – scores 2 for each absence
Student Misconduct
Misconduct is only scored if there are suspension days for an incident.
- Scores sum of “suspension days” x2
Formative or Benchmark Assessments
Only generates a score for tests where the student scores.
- Below Proficient – scores 2 for each test with a below proficient score
- Failing – scores 4 for each test with a failing score
State Assessments
Only generates a score for tests where the student scores.
- Below Proficient – scores 2 for each test with a below proficient score
- Failing – scores 4 for each test with a failing score
Current Course Grades
Assigns values to grades of C- through F for this year’s subject courses. The grade(s) available in the most recent marking period is used if a final grade is not available in Reading, Math, English, Social Studies and Science.
| C- | scores 2 |
| D+ | scores 4 |
| D | scores 8 |
| F | scores 10 |
Making Adjustments for At Risk Students
Once At-Risk scores are calculated, administrators and teachers will have a clear idea of their At-Risk students. Having this information is ideal in developing strategies and interventions for students while they are still within our schools.