Have you ever wondered how IXL’s math and language arts programs are able to adapt to each student’s skill level and provide accurate, continuous assessment of student performance? It’s all about the SmartScore!
Setting SmartScore goals for your students is a great way to motivate them and encourage improvement. Read on to learn how to implement SmartScore goals in the classroom!
What is the right SmartScore goal for my students?
Setting SmartScore targets of 80 or 90
A score of 100 may be too ambitious for some students, so if they are struggling to reach that target, try challenging them to reach 80 or 90 instead! A SmartScore of 100 indicates true mastery, but a score of 80 and above still demonstrates that students have a strong understanding of the skill.
Use the SmartScore as a scaffolding strategy
Another strategy is to use the SmartScore to help students focus on improvement rather than trying to hit a certain score right away. Set practice milestones along the way to mastery to continuously motivate students. For example, when introducing new concepts, have your students work towards a SmartScore of 60. By the end of the unit, set a goal of 80. Later in the month, pick an old skill to review, and challenge them to reach 90. Extra credit for mastering skills with 100!
Monitor SmartScore improvement using reports
Don’t forget to monitor your students’ progress using IXL’s reports! The Trouble Spots reports can be especially helpful in diagnosing which skills and topics students are experiencing difficulty with, and therefore might need reteaching.
FAQ: How is a student’s SmartScore adjusted as he or she practices?
We often get asked why the SmartScore is lowered in larger intervals as students approach a score of 100. We recognize that every student learns at a different pace, so the SmartScore doesn’t penalize students heavily for missed questions early in their practice sessions. Once students begin to understand the skill and consistently submit correct answers, their SmartScore goes up and IXL presents more challenging problems. Then, in order to reach a SmartScore of 100, students must answer a certain number of questions correctly and consistently, including the most difficult problems within that skill. This is to ensure that students truly understand the material (and that they aren’t just guessing correctly!). A little bit of struggle to reach mastery can be worthwhile – once the students hit 100, they’ll know their practice has paid off and that they’ve really earned that score!
Get more information on SmartScore here. Still have questions? Leave a comment below or email us at help@ixl.com!
