Data sgp is an analysis tool for the statistical software environment R. To use it, you must have a computer running windows, macOS or Linux and access to R’s open source version. It is designed specifically for analyzing educational assessment data but it can be used with any kind of statistical data. Like most analysis tools it requires the bulk of its time to be spent on data preparation. Once the data is ready to be analyzed it can be done quickly and efficiently.

The key to interpreting data sgp is to look at the percentiles. The percentiles represent the relative progress of students as compared to their peers with similar MCAS score histories. In other words, if a student’s SGP is 85 then it means that she scored higher on her MCAS in grade 8 ELA/math than half of the students with similar scores.

SGP stands out from competing approaches by allowing schools to establish multi-year growth standards based on official state achievement targets/goals. This allows schools to communicate with stakeholders that proficiency must be reached within a certain time frame. It can also serve as a tool for identifying students that need assistance in reaching proficiency – either accelerating their learning or providing additional supports.

To use data sgp you will need to be familiar with the basics of the statistical software, the R language and how to prepare your data for analysis. There are a number of online resources that can help you get started with the necessary skills and software.

Once you have the proper software and data prepared a run of data sgp will only take two minutes. During this time the results will be displayed on screen, saved to a file and downloaded to the local computer. This will allow you to view your results with a text editor or Excel spreadsheet.

We recommend that you download and work with the sgptData_LONG dataset as it provides an example of a complete data set for the use of the lower level SGP functions. The data set includes sgptData_LONG variables for VALID_CASE, CONTENT_AREA, YEAR, ID, SCALE_SCORE and GRADE (required if running student growth projections). It also includes the SGPstateData meta-data needed by the higher level SGP functions.

If you are not familiar with the R language or how to prepare your data for analysis, we recommend that you consult the documentation for the SGP package. A number of vignettes have been developed to guide you through the process. Depending on the type of analysis you are looking to conduct, there may be more detailed documentation that is specific to that process. If you have a specific question about using the package that is not covered in the documentation feel free to contact us. We will be happy to assist you.

The world’s leading designers are preparing to showcase their work in Singapore at the 2024 World Architecture Festival (WAF). With over 400 entries across completed buildings, future projects and landscapes, WAF’s unique, rigorous judging process has earned it a reputation for being one of the most significant competitions for architectural innovation.

But while WAF is a highly prestigious award, it’s far from an easy win. Applicants need to have a strong and compelling case for why their project deserves a spot in the shortlist, backed by solid research. They also need to be able to demonstrate a clear financial plan, and have a team that’s capable of making the project a reality.

For this year’s contest, the WAF jury has selected ten shortlisted designs that will go head-to-head at this week’s finals in Singapore. Each of the shortlisted teams will present their projects to a panel of judges and industry experts, including architect James Lee of the Singapore Academy of Performing Arts, landscape designer Richard Hicks of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and architect Jeremy Tiang, who has won the design competition twice before.

Among the finalists is a soaring performance by a 29-year-old Singaporean soprano, who has won a top prize at an international music festival in Wales. Shimona Rose Thevathasan, who goes by her stage name, sang eight minutes of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod last week. The performance earned her a Pendine Gold Prize, with a purse of PS3,000.

NUS’ history department has launched the first prize devoted to Singapore’s history, with entries open from Jan 1. The NUS Singapore History Prize will be awarded in 2024 to an outstanding book penned in English or translated into it, and published between June 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024. The competition aims to address the “missing pieces” of Singapore’s story, says prize chairman Kishore Mahbubani, who is also NUS’ dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Mahbubani noted that Singaporeans are increasingly curious about the nation’s past, and he hopes the prize will help fill in gaps in knowledge of the city-state’s unique growth story. He also cited an article by American social scientist Benedict Anderson, who said nations are “imagined communities.”

The NUS Singapore History Prize is open to authors from any country, as long as their submissions are book-length works in English. The work must be related to the theme of Singapore’s history and have a substantial historical dimension.

NUS will publish the shortlisted works in a book, with a digital version to follow. The winner of the prize will receive S$50,000. The other shortlisted authors will each be awarded S$25,000. The books will be available for sale on the NUS Press website from late 2022. The NUS Singapore History Prize is supported by the SG50 Committee, the National Heritage Board and the Lee Foundation. The competition is free of charge, but participants will need to pay for their own transport and meals, unless the prize is won by a group.