Leveraging Predictive Analytics to Drive Student Success at Troy 30-C
Dr. Jill Tsoukalas, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C in Joliet, IL, shared how re-engaging with ECRA's School Improvement solution has been a pivotal step for her team in making data-driven decisions that truly benefit their students.
Prior to partnering with ECRA Group, Troy 30-C’s approach to assessing student performance was somewhat fragmented, with benchmark and state-mandated assessments operating in isolation. The use of predictive analytics, embedded within the School Improvement solution, enables her team to evaluate historical student data and more effectively identify and support specific student groups in a meaningful way. This shift has enabled the delivery of targeted instruction, ultimately aiming to enhance each student’s growth trajectory.
An example of this positive impact is evident in how Troy 30-C addressed the needs of their English Language Learners. Growth reports from School Improvement highlighted lower growth among these students, prompting immediate instructional adjustments. The team increased support from ESL teachers during math blocks and implemented pre-tests aligned with a new ESL curriculum. These changes, tailored to the students’ needs, led to significant improvements. During recent leadership retreats, the district celebrated these significant successes: Three schools exceeded expected growth for ELL students in math and five schools exceeded expected growth for ELL students in English language arts. The insights collected from these celebrations have guided the district’s recent decision to increase ESL resources for the upcoming year, with a renewed strategic focus.
In the 2022-2023 school year, only 29% of schools demonstrated greater than expected growth for ELL students in either ELA or Math. However, by the end of 2023-2024, this figure surged to 71%, reflecting a significant 42% increase in the number of schools achieving above-expected growth for ELL students in these critical areas.
The collaboration with ECRA has not only refined their approach to student support but has also transformed team discussions about the effectiveness of instructional strategies and investments. By following the continuous improvement plan, do, study, adjust, Troy 30-C’s leadership team continuously reviews historical data, assessing the impact of their instructional approaches. This methodical process helps them identify successful practices, enabling them to replicate and scale those strategies to ensure consistent student growth across all programs.
According to the school district, ECRA’s School Improvement solution has been instrumental in driving strategic, data-informed decisions at Troy 30-C, fostering an environment where student growth is not only measured but actively pursued through intentional, targeted actions. The success stories and lessons learned are now integral to their ongoing efforts to achieve excellence in student outcomes.
School Improvement
Put the power of predictive analytics into the hands of your district and building leaders so they can set goals and track actual student performance against projected outcomes.
