Did You Know…

Pro-Core has been busy developing and improving its products over the past few years and has piloted new features. Pro-Core continues to improve and expand our features every year. We work hard to meet your requests. Most of these are met within a few days. Other requests require major research and data analysis and are placed on our development list for the following year. Below are some features we added this past year along with new features.

Scaled Scores and Performance Level Report

Pro-Core is happy to announce the launch of scaled scores and performance levels that are parallel to the scaled scores and performance levels used on Ohio’s State Exams.

You will first see a difference in the student’s scoring screen and in information found under the Pro-Core Assessment Results tab. Additional reports are being revised and will be added.

If you prefer to see the results using percentage scores Pro-Core has used previously, that is available as well.

Watch the video to see the changes.

Pro-Core Now Supports Clever and ClassLink API Integration

Pro-Core is now a certified partner with Clever.com and ClassLink.com Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Clever and ClassLink are used in thousands of schools in the US to allow secure access to digital learning through single sign-on.

• The Clever Overview page explains what it is, what it does, and how it works.
• The ClassLink Overview page explains what it is, what it does, and how it works.

Pro-Core now includes Clever and ClassLink API integration for class Rostering, Single Sign-On (SSO), and Syncing with direct Pro-Core system support from our Pro-Core technical consultant contact person. There is no additional charge by Pro-Core for schools wanting to use these apps.

Current and Planned Updates

• We are currently updating questions in Mathematics grades 2–5 SCWAs to more closely align to the new state standards, insure the items are assigned a cognitive demand, and include more higher-level and technology-enhanced questions.
• We will be updating other questions in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies as well.
• A short student practice assessment is now available to introduce students to different types of questions and accessibility features,
• Predictions of student state performance levels are being developed based upon results of Pro-Core’s Form Assessments.
• Features will be added to help districts use the data to improve student understanding and achievement. These features include:
  • Sample questions to guide discussions
  • Instructional videos about how to use Pro-Core’s features

Professional Development Webinars

For new clients, Pro-Core now offers an optional series of three Webinars designed to provide new users with the information they need, at the specific time they need it. Sessions are designed to give teachers opportunities to ask questions as well as time to use their own computers and logins to explore Pro-Core during the training.

Customized professional development sessions can also be arranged upon request. Contact Belinda Clark at bclark1924@icloud.com for more information.

Remote Security Features

Security features were updated this year to the Pro-Core system for schools using local or remote learning. See Appendix 2 in the online Pro-Core User Manual for a summary of security features available to district and school administrators, teachers, and students.

Teacher Personalized Assessments

Teachers may create their own Teacher Personalized Assessments (TPAs) for their classes using a bank of questions from Pro-Core’ Form A and Short Cycle Web Assessments (SCWAs), which are directly aligned to the state’s most resent Learning Standards in Reading/ELA, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. These now may be shared with other teachers in the school or district.

Teachers may also submit their own test items for entry into the Pro-Core database. TPAs may be built in collaboration with other teachers and shared with other teachers in their school or district. See Section N in the online Pro-Core User Manual.

Spanish Language Assessments

Spanish language versions of Form A and Form C tests are now available for an extra charge in mathematics, science, and social studies.

Five-Tiered Writing Assessments

Pro-Core is piloting a new assessment that provides educators with information that can be used to help them enhance writing instruction. The assessment is named Five-Tiered Writing Assessments (5TW). In it, students are guided through five steps to produce writing at DOK levels of 3 and 4. One of the tiers models writing given on ODE assessments. Each activity focuses on an overall theme of the assessment. The act of taking this assessment is not just a test; it is a learning experience for the students.

The Five-Tiered Writing assessments address several Ohio State Standards. As the students respond, they will demonstrate their ability to address them. The experience is much like the high-stakes, statewide assessments they will experience during the year.

This assessment is done in the Pro-Core online program. It can be completed in one or two class periods. The writing portions are scored by the class teacher, and Pro-Core will provide reports, which will give teachers information about how well the students did on the assessment.

Click here for an Overview of 5TW.

Click here to view a sample presentation using an English-language arts five-tiered assessment for grade 10 to show how it works.

Correlations between Pro-Core and Ohio’s State Tests

Correlation reports are available to schools that provide their state test scores. Using historical data, you can see the likelihood of students’ ODE performance levels based upon Pro-Core Form A, B, and C results. Click here.

User Manual Updates

The new features above are explained in the Pro-Core User Manual. New Tools and Reports have been added for administrators and teachers. These are marked as NEW! Version 9.x of the Pro-Core User Manual Table of Contents.

In particular, specific instructions for schools using Clever have been added to the Procedures Checklist with cross-references to new and revised User Manual Sections.

The updated online Enrollment Confirmation Form is now required. This is normally emailed to the district manager, but a pre-order form may now be completed online. Click here.