To help illustrate the difference between achievement and growth, consider an analogy of measuring a child’s height. Every year, during a child's wellness check, the pediatrician measures the child's height. This measurement captures a moment in time, similar to achievement. We can compare that child’s single height measurement against a benchmark, or against their peers, to put their current height into context. However, if we want to measure the child’s growth, we have to compare that measurement against the child’s own prior history. By looking across years, we can identify patterns of growth for that particular child and understand if the child is growing as expected. Both measures provide valuable information about a child’s holistic physical development.

Similarly, by measuring students' academic achievement and growth, educators and families can have a more comprehensive picture of students’ progress toward academic success. Some key differences include:

• Measures a student's performance at one single point in time
• Is typically compared to a benchmark to determine proficiency
• Is often correlated with a student's demographics and background
• Is critical to a student's post-secondary opportunities

• Measures changes in a student’s performance across time
• Compares student performance to the student's own prior performance
• Is typically not related to a student's demographics
• Is critical throughout schooling to ensure a student's ongoing academic success

In North Carolina, achievement is measured through the statewide assessment system. These assessments are designed to measure proficiency in the academic standards that are expected for each subject and grade or course. Achievement data from the following statewide assessments is reported through the EVAAS application:

• K-2 assessments
• Reading in grades three through eight
• Math in grades four through eight
• Science in grades five and eight
• Math 1, Math 3, English II, and Biology
• The ACT, SAT, PSAT, AP
• Many of the Career and Technical Education Post-Assessments (CTE)

In North Carolina, growth is measured using a set of statistical analyses referred to as “value-added” modeling. This approach is designed to measure the academic growth rates of students in districts, schools, and classrooms from one point in time to the next by comparing their exiting achievement to their entering achievement. The analytic models used to calculate growth in North Carolina are part of the EVAAS analytics and reporting platform.

EVAAS is one of many tools provided by NCDPI to monitor and evaluate student progress. Districts and schools use achievement data from statewide assessments along with EVAAS growth data to make sure all students are on the trajectory to future success. With this information, educators are better able to:

• Monitor the growth of all groups of students, from low-achieving to high-achieving, ensuring growth opportunities for all students
• Measure student achievement as a result of the impact of educational practices, classroom curricula, instructional methods, and professional development
• Make informed, data-driven decisions about where to focus resources to help students make greater growth and perform at higher levels
• Modify and differentiate instruction to address the needs of all students
• Align professional development efforts in the areas of greatest need
• Network with other districts/schools in ways that might yield different growth results
• Identify best practices and implement programs that best meet the needs of their students

The EVAAS public site focuses on reporting aggregated data at the school and district level. These reports are designed to help families, stakeholders, and others gain insight into how schools and districts are supporting student learning. These reports do not include any teacher or student-level information to protect privacy.

EVAAS, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, provides a Schoolwide Accountability Growth Composite. This growth composite provides information on how the school is performing overall on EOG and EOC assessments administered in a school. EVAAS also provides a graphing tool called scatterplots, which enables comparison among districts and schools on a variety of metrics, such as growth, achievement, and demographics.