S.T.A.T._sm is a research process developed by FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH GROUP to help schools and school districts take existing test data and apply further segmentation to provide a meaningful analysis. Designed in conjunction with a Wharton Statistician, the S.T.A.T.sm program is an effective approach to using existing data to its fullest potential.

The primary objective of S.T.A.T.sm is to enable schools and school districts to determine the demographic and activity segmentation of students performing at all levels. Other objectives may include the following:

• Identify the student segments performing at better-than-average test levels and evaluate their common bonds.
• Identify the student segments performing at acceptable or less-than-acceptable test levels and evaluate their common bonds.
• Assess and compare correlation between curriculum changes and standards with test scores by student segmentation.

AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL... Determine the history of students achieving specific test levels to make appropriate recommendations for students currently attending Middle Schools, Junior High or Elementary Schools to increase the likelihood of higher test scores. Identify common activity bonds of students achieving specific test levels to make appropriate recommendations for students entering High School.

AT THE JR. HIGH, MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVELS... Identify student performance by segmentation and use this data to provide assistance and recommendations to those who are in greatest need. Assess history of students achieving specific test levels to make appropriate recommendations to schools to increase the likelihood of higher test scores.

METHODOLOGY

S.T.A.T.sm may be utilized by using various test information already in existence within the school district.

Using state test data results, S.T.A.T.sm can be applied to identify specific score ranges by gender, age, and can cross reference test results to determine correlations.

Using school test data results, S.T.A.T.sm can be applied to identify specific score ranges by gender, age, and can cross reference other test results, course selections, activities and any additional information available to determine correlations.

High School students in many districts are assigned an ID number. Using this code, student information may be tracked and appended to further segment test results for use in the district.

PROPRIETY

FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH GROUP will provide each school and school district with a confidentiality agreement regarding the propriety of the results and all S.T.A.T.sm's performed, as well as to insure that student information is never analyzed individually.
Student segmentation includes data that is grouped together based on similarities and not on an individual basis. No student is individually selected nor identified at any time in either the data or the analysis.
Findings are provided to only the school purchasing the S.T.A.T.sm program unless the school requests otherwise. At no time are S.T.A.T.sm results compared among schools or between districts unless all entities request the comparison.

DATA ANALYSIS & REPORTING

FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH GROUP  utilizes school and school district data and sorts all data based on specific objectives as outlined by the school/school district. Data is segmented and statistical tests are performed to yield an error interval of +/- 5% at a confidence level of 95%. This high standard of confidence testing on the data will enable us to perform a full-scale analysis comparing and correlating information to provide an objective report of findings and recommendations to schools.

S.T.A.T.sm includes all electronic data as well as a bound report consisting of a full-scale analysis of findings, usually in a PowerPoint format for ease of presentation and clarity.