Growth Data: It Matters, and It’s Complicated

Forty-eight states and Washington, D.C. have committed to measuring and reporting on individual student growth under ESSA. This means everyone in those states – from parents to policymakers – will have more information than before on student performance and school quality. But the questions they’ll be able to answer depend on how states measure growth.

In its latest brief, DQC found most states are using one of five common measures for student growth, with many using a combination of measures. These measures – and their differences – matter. We explore the different ways states have committed to measuring student growth and what that means for education stakeholders and their understanding of student success.