Prioritizing Data
Where do we start?
With so much data readily available at our fingertips, it is no wonder many people shut down at the mention of the term data! Start with what is useful and with what matters to you and your students. Summative assessments don't really give us time to adjust our instruction, or tell us much more than how a student performed in one area, on one given day. It is a good idea to visit them when looking for systematic issues in curriculum, programming, and teaching methods. For the average teacher, most of your time could be spent looking at formative assessments. These snapshots of a student's learning are priceless gifts that allow you to witness the impact you are having in real time.
Root Cause AnalysisThrough the summative data, begin by asking why. Why were we able to improve in reading this year? Why were we still lower in writing? When we drill down to the core of an issue we start to see both assumptions about certain topics as well as opportunities for professional growth. Administering a survey can be a great way to collect data to clarify your problem of practice and to give you next steps for planning professional development.
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