A method for translating the achievement gains in Normal Curve Equivalents (NCE) to a more conceptually understandable index of academic growth is described. This method calculates "Expected Growth (EG)" and expresses the relationship of observed achievement gains. The method is shown to be easily applied and well suited to local interpretation. Some issues when used on a more general level across several projects, districts or states are discussed. Expected Growth values are calculated using pre/posttest results and increasing the raw or scaled score (ESS) as needed to maintain the same percentile, or NCE. The increase as a proportion of the pretest standard deviation can be converted to any other standard score metric when multiplied by the standard deviation of the desired standard score scale. Expected Growth values are calculated for a variety of tests and conditions; interpretations of differences are discussed, and the implications of these differences for both large scale evaluation reporting and local use are shown. (Author/CM)