Data is at the heart of education reform since the early days of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Standardized tests have become routine for nearly every grade and subject, but our department uses data to create specially designed instruction to meet individual student needs.

As we measure adequate yearly progress and break down test results to show what students know and what they have yet to master, we have been provided with a trove of data that, ideally, should be used to inspire effective change.

When you use a pretest to find out what your students have learned and what they need more practice on, you can design lessons that address their needs. This will ultimately save time for both instructors and students, as precious teaching time can be focused on the standards students struggle with. Likewise, data will reveal what concepts need to be retaught or reinforced before moving on.

Data is also useful when it comes to individualizing learning. When you know who needs enrichment and who needs remediation, it's possible to provide more individualized instruction. This helps all students get what they need to succeed.