6. Data-Driven Decisions
Using Data to Drive Educational Change and Improvement
This curriculum module explores the role of data in the continuous school improvement process and the various ways school leaders can use data to improve districts, schools, instruction and learning for all students.
The module focuses on methods for data collection and analysis to:
- assess school and community needs;
- inform development of school improvement plans;
- monitor achievement of diverse student groups;
- and evaluate the impact of improvements in educational programs and instruction on student learning.
Candidates learn formative and summative methods for monitoring, evaluating, and modifying district strategic plans and school improvement plans. They also explore strategies for the use of technology by instructional staff to routinely collect and analyze student assessment data to improve teaching and learning for all students. Educational, legal, ethical, and moral issues related to assessment and use of data within the context of high-stakes testing and accountabilities are also explored.
NJ EXCEL Website
Documents 15D http://www.njexcel.org/staff/program-documents.aspx?id=272
Course Objective
The objective of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, personal dispositions, and emotional intelligence competencies required of organizational leaders who understand and effectively apply research-based leadership practices that develop and sustain districts/schools as productive learning organizations to support continuous educational improvement and high academic achievement for all students.
Educational, legal, ethical, and moral issues related to assessment
and use of data within the context of high-stakes testing and accountabilities
ACTIVITY: Common Core / PARCC Town Hall for Parental Stakeholders
Using multiple sources of data as diagnostic tools
AchieveNJ Data & Beyond
ACTIVITY: Managing PLC Data Plan & AchieveNJ's mSGP Analysis
NJSMART, Teaching & Testing, Achievement Gap
ACTIVITY: Administrator Science Fairs (Douglas Reeves)
Formative and summative methods for monitoring, evaluating,
and modifying district strategic plans and school improvement plans
ACTIVITY: District Long Range Plans Presented
Data Module Assessment Practice
Click on the link above to apply your module knowledge with a SLLA Sample Test
& remember to complete the NJEXCEL Module Instructor Evaluation too
Recent Articles (Updated Monthly)
Although your module might be over, come back to this
site for recent articles and/or books on data use in schools
Reading prior to 1st class: "The New Stupid" by Frederick M. Hess (PDF article is below) and the Scholastic Blog "What's your school's DNA? Using data to drive innovation"