Defining Criteria for Data Analysis

To define criteria for data analysis, choose Preferences from the Edit menu to open the Program Options dialog. Enter values in the following areas:

Program Options Dialog

Competence Level

Set this level to the percentage required to demonstrate competence on a skill level. The default setting is 75%. For example, if a student gets 9 problems correct out of 12 at a level (75%), competence would be demonstrated, and the student can probably proceed to the next level. Set the percentage higher if you want the student to have to work harder and to score better before declaring competence. Set it lower if you want the student to progress to higher levels with lower scores.

Frustration Level

This is the level at which the student is "frustrated" or cannot solve problems. The default setting is 25%. If a student can only correctly answer 25%, or less, at a skill level, then that student is "frustrated". The lowest level at which a student is frustrated, is the level at which the student needs instruction first. You can make these criteria higher or lower.

Minimum Trials

The "Minimum Trials" is the number of problems on a single worksheet that must have been completed at a level before a determination can be made with confidence. The default setting is 3. That means a student must have tried to complete 3 problems at a level before the student is identified as competent or frustrated at that level.

Based on the criteria set for competence and frustration, Class Manager provides information in views and reports about each student's individual needs for instruction. The class status and student history views use these results to show a graphic presentation of each student's progress through skill levels. By looking at the graphic representations, you can tell if a student has any activity at a skill level, if the student is currently working on the skill level, and may need instruction at that skill level, and if the student has achieved competence at a skill level. The colored squares in the Class Status and Student History views represent the following:

Dark green: The student is competent at this skill level. The student has completed the minimum number of problems correct on at least one worksheet, and achieved the percentage of problems correct as defined by the competence level set in preferences.

Light green: The student may be competent at this skill level. The student has not completed the minimum number of problems to demonstrate competency on one single worksheet, but has achieved a percentage correct across more than one worksheet that meets the criteria for competency.

Yellow: The student needs practice at this skill level. The percentage of problems correct is below that required for competence, but above frustration.

Light red: The student may need instruction at this skill level. This indicates possible frustration. The percentage correct is below the frustration level, but the student has not done the minimum number of trials.

Dark red: The student needs instruction at this skill level. This indicates frustration. Student has done minimum number of problems, and achieved at, or below, the percentage defined for frustration

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