CPM: What do Circle Progress Monitoring (CPM) benchmarks indicate?

 Answer

Circle Progress Monitoring (CPM) is a standardized, criterion-referenced measure that aligns well with established standardized tests and is sensitive to growth in children’s skills over time. It compares a student’s knowledge and skills against a predetermined cut score or benchmark. Criterion-referenced assessments use cut scores to place students into categories such as needing support, monitoring, or being on track.

The cut points in the Circle Progress Monitoring (CPM) assessment are not considered "raw" scores. Instead, they are benchmarks or growth indicators that help determine if a student is meeting expected progress levels. The raw scores are the actual numerical values that students receive on the assessment, while the cut points are thresholds set to identify different levels of performance and growth.

The purpose is to learn about the instructional needs and abilities of all students so teachers can gather critical data to drive instruction. This allows the identification of students scoring above and below average. In other words, we designed this as a progress monitoring measure, not a mastery test where students should be able to answer all items correctly. Therefore, we validated a wide range of items to learn about students' different abilities and make informed instructional decisions for students who need support or challenge. The cut points provide a reliable snapshot of where a student is in their academic development based on data gathered through research.

Circle Progress Monitoring (CPM) is a standardized, criterion-referenced measure that aligns well with established standardized tests and is sensitive to growth in children’s skills over time. It compares a student’s knowledge and skills against a predetermined cut score or benchmark. Criterion-referenced assessments use cut scores to place students into categories such as needing support, monitoring, or being on track.

The cut points in the Circle Progress Monitoring (CPM) assessment are not considered "raw" scores. Instead, they are benchmarks or growth indicators that help determine if a student is meeting expected progress levels. The raw scores are the actual numerical values that students receive on the assessment, while the cut points are thresholds set to identify different levels of performance and growth.

The purpose is to learn about the instructional needs and abilities of all students so teachers can gather critical data to drive instruction. This allows the identification of students scoring above and below average. In other words, we designed this as a progress monitoring measure, not a mastery test where students should be able to answer all items correctly. Therefore, we validated a wide range of items to learn about students' different abilities and make informed instructional decisions for students who need support or challenge. The cut points provide a reliable snapshot of where a student is in their academic development based on data gathered through research.

Benchmark Goals and Norming

The benchmark goals in the Circle Progress Monitoring system are established based on extensive research and statistical analysis. These benchmarks are designed to reflect the expected skill levels for children at various ages and stages of development. The benchmarks are normed using data collected from a large, diverse sample of children to ensure they are representative and reliable

Cut Scores for Additional Support

If a student shows needing additional support, the cut scores are used to identify those who fall below the established benchmarks. These cut scores are categorized into indicators such as "Monitor" or "Needs Support" based on the child's age and specific skill area.

You can find detailed information on these cut scores in the district-level benchmark guide available on CLI Engage

Understanding Report Data

The overall measure data in the reports can sometimes seem disconnected from the scores reported in waves 1 and 2. This is because the CPM system provides snapshots of student skill levels at different points in time, allowing for a comprehensive view of progress across multiple assessment waves.

To make sense of how this data is reported, it's important to consider the following:

• Wave Assessments: Typically, assessments are conducted in three waves (beginning, middle, and end of the year). Each wave provides data on student progress and helps identify areas needing attention.

• Visual Indicators: Reports use clear visual indicators to flag students below benchmarks, making it easier to identify those needing support.

• Grouping Features: The system includes features for grouping students and linking recommended activities based on assessment results, which can help in planning targeted instruction.

For a more detailed understanding, you can refer to the CPM user guide and other resources available on the Circle Progress Monitoring Pre-K Toolkit webpage.

Additional resource: Circle Progress Monitoring: Recommended Administration and Analyses

Please feel free to reach out if you need additional information.

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