Student Mapping Tool
Planning for Individual Differences and Support Programs
Designed by the BMLLEN and implemented by the Youth Transitions Division of DEECD and CASES21 staff.
The Student Mapping Tool (the SMT) is an Excel spreadsheet in which key research-based data is shown for every student in the school. The spreadsheet provides authorised school staff with a systematic process which may assist them to:
- Identify a student or group of students e.g. those at risk of early leaving; Koorie students; high achievers; etc.
- Select and map appropriate programs, support, or interventions; and
- evaluate the effectiveness of those programs/interventions
The main website: A complete list of documents giving the background, the guide to extracting the data, how to get the most out of using the tool, and access to the Student Mapping Tool itself is available via:
www.education.vic.gov.au/studentmappingtool
Please note the three short video clips that explain how schools are using the SMT. It is recommended that you print and place in a folder ALL the materials on this website.
Listed below are updates of material on the DEECD website and extra resources.
A Guide to the Student Mapping Tool (v.3) This is a KEY DOCUMENT, a one page summary showing what the SMT is all about.
Sample of the Student Mapping Tool Example of data within the Student Mapping Tool v3.0.
NEW: Videos to show basic Excel skills to manipulate data within the SMT
How to view Student Mapping Tool videos
SMT Excel Skills – Adding Colour
SMT Excel Skills – Using the Filter
Comments to BMLLEN or Doug Smith are welcome. Contact details are at page end.
Improving the recording and use of data within the SMT:
Sample Program Coding document A network of schools realised they had too many support programs to list easily. By sensible grouping of programs and using a common coding system within each heading they have a much better overview of what they are providing. This will also facilitate exchanging information between schools when students transfer, for example, from primary into secondary.
NEW – FEBRUARY 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!
Auto Analysis Sheet (Dec-June) – TRIAL VERSION
HOW TO ADD THE AUTO ANALYSIS SHEET
An instant overview of your school’s key data in summary form as a basis for analysis and planning is now available as part of the Student Mapping Tool. When you refresh the SMT data you have the data for each student at that point in time. The new TRIAL analysis sheet, shown as a tab at the bottom of the page of the SMT, will automatically produce the current numbers of students enrolled; average attendance; numbers of students with attendance problems; a summary of VELS and NAPLAN results ………. and a whole lot more. There is no need to wait until the end of the year to see if your programs are having the desired effect. You can review your data at any time by simply refreshing your SMT data.
There are two ways of adding the Auto Analysis Sheet.
1. Download this version; refresh this version of the SMT…..and copy the right hand side data from your old SMT into the new, downloaded version. This becomes your new Master copy.
2. Download this version; download the document Adding the Auto Analysis Sheet; follow the instructions in the document.
Please note: this is a trial version. Please use it and send any feedback, including queries to Doug Smith at djmsmith@bigpond.net.au NO support is available from DEECD; it is only available from Doug Smith. Your feedback is important as it will be used to improve the product and, if you find it useful, we can argue for it to be part of the official SMT from the DEECD.
Attendance Ready ReckonerDo you have a target for Attendance that is in number of days? Progress towards this target is not possible to check properly until the end of the year. If you believe in early intervention, and monitoring progress during the year, you need the target to be in percentage attendance. This table converts numbers of days absence into a more meaningful percentage attendance.
SMT data flow document This diagram shows the source of data that goes into the SMT, and hence the sources of error in the data. See also the DEECD website document on ‘Level 2′ which includes error messages that might appear during a ‘refresh’ of data – and what to do about them.
Organising the use of the SMT within your school:
Strategic Planning and the SMT 2010 This document shows how Principals can use the SMT for strategic plans and target setting, AND as a source of key questions to raise in seeking to improve outcomes for all students.
SMT Timeline When do I use the Student Mapping Tool? A suggested timeline on a month by month basis is shown.
Action Planning Guide If you are having implementation difficulties, this document (originally prepared by Deb Hull) is a useful checklist.
A copy of key presentations is available from here.
SMT data PD 2011Doug Smith’s slides on the use of data found in the SMT.
SMT & WannikThese are the slides of the Deb Hull presentation relating to the implementation of the Wannik strategy aimed at improving outcomes for all Koorie students (July-Sept 2009).
Deb Hull & Doug Smith’s PresentationThe earlier presentation introducing the Mapping Tool in 2007. The slides are still relevant for looking at students ‘at risk’ of leaving school early.
If you require assistance, e.g. with implementing the Tool within a school then:
1. BMLLEN: Terry Kennedy, BMLLEN Executive Officer, at the LLEN office (Phone: 9361-9306)
2. Doug Smith (Phone: 0401 031 159) – Email: djmsmith@bigpond.net.au