This article describes the Ratings workflow in Educa and the setup process. For centers using the ELOF, Educa has the ELOF-D, which automatically posts to an ELOF report (in Ratings) and to the DRDP Fundamental View. ELOF-D is the framework required for sites reporting to the NYC DECE - how to activate the ELOF-D here.
The Process for Teachers
For sites reporting to the NYC there are three steps:
During each rating period, teachers write Learning Stories and link to the ELOF-D
At period end, teachers go to Ratings and can manually update any ELOF goals that have no story link, and so need an observation
Pro Tip: Educa supports individualized linking on group stories, where one story can be evidence for multiple children, where you can change individual ratings per child. More on individualizing links on group stories here.
Set Up Steps for Admins
1. Under Frameworks (in Tools menu tab), activate the ELOF-D
2. On Ratings home page, under Settings:
Select your assessment periods - per NYC DECE calendar
Update your Site name
Update your School Type
Individual Child Ratings - Work Flow
During the rating period, 5-6 stories (group or individual) will generally be sufficient to create linking to most of the ELOF-D.
At period end, to complete the reporting requirement, go to the Ratings home page (under Tools). Note, that this summary dashboard shows how much of each child's ELOF report is complete. Note, because Educa presents both the I/T and P for on a child, the % complete might not equal exactly 100%.
You can then click on a child to get to the individual rating page, where you can manually update ratings. You will notice that a child's rating is pre-populated with links for your stories. Orange-highlighted rows indicate measures that have no linked story or observation.
To add an observation manually, click the measure label (e.g., IT-ATL 2) and then click the "Observed" box for the appropriate measures. Alternatively, if you'd like to add an observation with evidence (a note, an image or a link to a story already written), click the "Add Evidence" label for the appropriate goal - then make your choice.
Note, if you want t link to a story, it needs to be written in the period selected to show up as available for linking. You can also go back to a Learning Story and change your outcome selections.
Reports
At period end, use "Export" on Ratings home page to export by class and view type. For more details, check out this article.
Common Questions
What date is used for learning story evidence?
Educa uses the learning story date, the "when it happened" date for populating ratings. This story date can be changed by story editors.
Why are no stories available for linking from Evidence popup?
Only stories from the period selected will appear. If there are no stories for the child and period selected, no stories will show. If you think this is in error, you can revisit your stories and review the dates selected. The date can be changed.
Why am I seeing no periods?
If the default period is not showing, go to "Settings" on the Ratings home page and either select an existing period or add a new period using the date selectors.
Where do the Export reports go?
These excel data reports download to your computer immediately. And so please check your Downloads folder.
Does Ratings work for other than the DRDP and ELOF frameworks?
No. Most other frameworks are curriculum guides or learning goal frameworks, they are not intended as assessments.
What are the green fields on DRDP ratings?
Educa highlights the "mastery level" for each measure in green. By default, Educa selects the highest rating that meets your evidence requirement. You can override this by selecting a different outcome and checking the "Mastery Level' box.
When should I use the ELOF-D? (New York only)
This configuration is only to be used with the approval of your state agency. The workflow links Learning Stories to the ELOF, but posts to the DRDP Fundamental View in the background for DRDP reporting. If you are using the ELOF, activate both ELOF-D and DRDP Fundamental View in Frameworks, and deselect Learning Stories for the DRDP - so that only the ELOF-D is seen as available for story linking.