Look at the cut points on a DSS chart for either reading or math for each level for the two grades you want to check progress. For example: According to the Florida Department of Education, the cut point between level 1 and 2 in third grade reading is 1,045, between level 2 and 3 is 1,197, between level 3 and 4 is 1,488 and between level 4 and 5 is 1,865. The cut point between level 1 and 2 in fourth grade is 1,314, between level 2 and 3 is 1,455, between level 3 and 4 is 1,689 and between level 4 and 5 is 1,964.
Subtract the third grade cut point from the fourth grade cut point to find the difference between the two grades for each level. For example, for level 1, subtract 1,045 from 1,314 to get 269. The difference for level 2 is 258, level 3 is 201 and level 4 is 99.
Find the median of the four differences. Line them up from least to greatest: 99, 201, 258 and 269. Add the two middle numbers (201 and 258) and divide by 2: 259 divided by 2 equals 229.5 which rounds up to 230. This number represents the average learning gain expected in reading from grade three to grade four.
Look at your student's DSS score in reading in third grade and fourth grade. Subtract the third grade reading score from the fourth grade reading score to find the difference. For example if her score in third grade was 1236 and her score in fourth grade was 1435, her difference is 199.
Compare the difference in his DSS reading score to the expected learning gain. If your student's difference is less than the learning gain, he did not show improvement. If his difference is greater than the learning gain, he showed improvement. In the example, the student's difference of 199 is less than the expected learning gain of 230, so he did not show improvement.