Dear Parents,
In December, just prior to the winter break, ADEC inspectors spent the day reviewing the Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies curriculum and instructional practices. Inspectors reviewed now only our compliance with ADEC regulations but also our adherence to local customs. Inspectors reviewed our curriculum, schedules, met with teachers and program coordinators, and reviewed our texts and materials.
We are proud to report that the ADEC inspectors found our program and practices to be of high quality and in compliance with local customs and ADEC regulations. In addition, the lead inspector commented that he was interested in our Arabic language coordinators assisting other schools in their efforts to develop Arabic programs.
Our Arabic coordinators, Manal Al Homsi and Samah Awad have done a tremendous job in organizing curriculum, instructional manuals, and teaching materials and in coordinating a large department of teachers. The inspectors noted specific commendations for our degree of documentation and departed with many positive comments.
Although we have done very well in our recent ADEC inspection of our Arabic program, we continue to be focused on raising the level of effective instruction and curriculum design, well beyond the expectations of the ADEC standards.
As we look ahead to the 2015-2016 school year, we will be making some significant changes to how we design, support and guide our Arabic language program.
Parents of students in Grades 2 through 10 received MAP Test results just prior to the winter break.
The purpose of using MAP testing is to monitor individual academic achievement and growth year-to-year. The results will serve as a data point for teachers about student growth and learning. MAP stands for Measures of Academic Progress, produced by Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). MAP tests are computerized, adaptive achievement tests in mathematics and reading.
When given more than one, the results reflect academic growth over time. MAP tests are normative. Individual scores are compared to normed, same grade groups in the United States and as compared to the same grade international norms.
MAP Test results help teachers to monitor their students’ achievement and growth as well as give them information about specific strands in which students need focused attention, for example, probability in math or reading non-fiction text in reading. If your child has taken the MAP Tests before, the results will include colored graphs that indicate student growth as compared to the previous year and as compared to expected growth, based on normative data.
In reviewing the score report, you will see your child’s score for each subject tested. The normative data will help you to see your child’s data relative to other students in the same grade level in the United States. The District score will help you to see your child’s data relative to students in the same grade level at GAA for this testing event. Individual growth is reported in a line graph for each subject area.
We view MAP testing as essential to ensuring we use an external measure of student learning to increase our dialog about our curriculum, individual student learning needs and goals, and informing everyday teaching and learning.
MAP Tests are a powerful tool for gathering important data about academic growth. The key is to analyze the data with a high degree of sophistication in order to translate the results into effective and timely interventions to challenge and support student’s individual needs in the classroom.
Because effective data analysis is so critical to impacting learning, we have invited NWEA to our school this January to lead training sessions with our teachers, session aimed specifically at how to analyze and use the MAP data to inform instruction. We have invited other schools in Abu Dhabi to join our training sessions.
Please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Tim Fryer - [email protected] if you have questions about your child’s learning and growth.
Have a lovely weekend
Kathy Miner
Head of School/CEO
In December, just prior to the winter break, ADEC inspectors spent the day reviewing the Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies curriculum and instructional practices. Inspectors reviewed now only our compliance with ADEC regulations but also our adherence to local customs. Inspectors reviewed our curriculum, schedules, met with teachers and program coordinators, and reviewed our texts and materials.
We are proud to report that the ADEC inspectors found our program and practices to be of high quality and in compliance with local customs and ADEC regulations. In addition, the lead inspector commented that he was interested in our Arabic language coordinators assisting other schools in their efforts to develop Arabic programs.
Our Arabic coordinators, Manal Al Homsi and Samah Awad have done a tremendous job in organizing curriculum, instructional manuals, and teaching materials and in coordinating a large department of teachers. The inspectors noted specific commendations for our degree of documentation and departed with many positive comments.
Although we have done very well in our recent ADEC inspection of our Arabic program, we continue to be focused on raising the level of effective instruction and curriculum design, well beyond the expectations of the ADEC standards.
As we look ahead to the 2015-2016 school year, we will be making some significant changes to how we design, support and guide our Arabic language program.
Parents of students in Grades 2 through 10 received MAP Test results just prior to the winter break.
The purpose of using MAP testing is to monitor individual academic achievement and growth year-to-year. The results will serve as a data point for teachers about student growth and learning. MAP stands for Measures of Academic Progress, produced by Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). MAP tests are computerized, adaptive achievement tests in mathematics and reading.
When given more than one, the results reflect academic growth over time. MAP tests are normative. Individual scores are compared to normed, same grade groups in the United States and as compared to the same grade international norms.
MAP Test results help teachers to monitor their students’ achievement and growth as well as give them information about specific strands in which students need focused attention, for example, probability in math or reading non-fiction text in reading. If your child has taken the MAP Tests before, the results will include colored graphs that indicate student growth as compared to the previous year and as compared to expected growth, based on normative data.
In reviewing the score report, you will see your child’s score for each subject tested. The normative data will help you to see your child’s data relative to other students in the same grade level in the United States. The District score will help you to see your child’s data relative to students in the same grade level at GAA for this testing event. Individual growth is reported in a line graph for each subject area.
We view MAP testing as essential to ensuring we use an external measure of student learning to increase our dialog about our curriculum, individual student learning needs and goals, and informing everyday teaching and learning.
MAP Tests are a powerful tool for gathering important data about academic growth. The key is to analyze the data with a high degree of sophistication in order to translate the results into effective and timely interventions to challenge and support student’s individual needs in the classroom.
Because effective data analysis is so critical to impacting learning, we have invited NWEA to our school this January to lead training sessions with our teachers, session aimed specifically at how to analyze and use the MAP data to inform instruction. We have invited other schools in Abu Dhabi to join our training sessions.
Please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Tim Fryer - [email protected] if you have questions about your child’s learning and growth.
Have a lovely weekend
Kathy Miner
Head of School/CEO
What's Happening at GAA Next Week?
GAA Community News
It's nearly time for GAA's Annual International Food Festival!
Date: Friday, February 13, 2015
Time: 4-7pm
Place: GAA Sports Pitch
Please attend our first planning meeting to find out about the event, register your country for participation and meet up and coordinate with others from your home country.
Date: Monday, January 19, 2015
Time: 8:00AM
Place: TBD (IB lounge or auditorium)
The IFF is one of GAA's most popular, treasured and biggest events of the year. It's a fabulous opportunity to travel the world without leaving our campus. Sample foods and experience the cultures from many of the nations that make our diverse and enriching community so special.
If you'd like to be part of the committee organizing the festival, please contact Candy Abati at [email protected].
We look forward to working with you all to put on another fabulous event.
Date: Friday, February 13, 2015
Time: 4-7pm
Place: GAA Sports Pitch
Please attend our first planning meeting to find out about the event, register your country for participation and meet up and coordinate with others from your home country.
Date: Monday, January 19, 2015
Time: 8:00AM
Place: TBD (IB lounge or auditorium)
The IFF is one of GAA's most popular, treasured and biggest events of the year. It's a fabulous opportunity to travel the world without leaving our campus. Sample foods and experience the cultures from many of the nations that make our diverse and enriching community so special.
If you'd like to be part of the committee organizing the festival, please contact Candy Abati at [email protected].
We look forward to working with you all to put on another fabulous event.