Points of Classroom Data Teachers Can Track, and Data Uses by School Staff
Teachers can track a wide range of data points to monitor and support student progress. Below is a list of key data points, how teachers can collect them, how the data would be used, and by whom.
See also “Module 2: Using Data to Assess and Inform School Change.” National Association of Secondary Principals (NASP), 2024, www.nassp.org/leading-success/1. Academic Performance
Data Points: Grades, test scores, assignment completion, participation in class activities, and progress reports.
How to Collect: Use gradebooks, learning management systems (LMS), and assessment tools to track scores and grades. Teachers can also record participation and assignment completion rates.
Who Uses It:
Academic Counselor: Monitors overall academic progress and identifies students who may need additional support or intervention.
College Counselor: Reviews academic records to guide students on college eligibility and application processes.
School Principal/Vice Principal: Evaluates overall academic trends to address school-wide issues or celebrate successes.
Instructional Specialist: Analyzes academic data to provide targeted instructional strategies and professional development for teachers.
Department Head: Uses academic performance data to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum and instruction within the department.
2. Behavioral Data
Data Points: Attendance, tardiness, disciplinary referrals, participation in classroom management systems, and behavior logs.
How to Collect: Maintain records of attendance and tardiness using the school’s attendance system. Track behavioral incidents and participation in classroom management platforms (e.g., ClassDojo).
Who Uses It:
Behavior Counselor: Works with students who have frequent behavioral issues, using data to identify patterns and develop intervention plans.
Dean of Students: Uses behavioral data to manage school-wide discipline and ensure a positive school climate.
School Principal/Vice Principal: Analyzes behavioral trends to make policy adjustments and support positive behavior initiatives.
Guidance Counselor: Assists students in developing positive behavior strategies and coping mechanisms.
3. Attendance and Punctuality
Data Points: Daily attendance, tardiness records, and patterns of absenteeism.
How to Collect: Use the school’s attendance tracking system to record daily attendance and tardiness.
Who Uses It:
School Nurse: Identifies students with frequent absences due to health issues and coordinates care.
Academic Counselor: Tracks attendance patterns to identify students at risk of falling behind academically.
Dean of Students: Monitors overall attendance to address school-wide issues or individual cases of chronic absenteeism.
Guidance Counselor: Works with students and families to address barriers to attendance.
4. Health and Wellbeing
Data Points: Health records, notes on student wellness, incidents requiring first aid, or visits to the school nurse.
How to Collect: Record any health-related incidents or concerns in the school’s health management system or maintain notes on individual student health needs.
Who Uses It:
School Nurse: Tracks health data to provide appropriate care and support, manage chronic conditions, and ensure student safety.
Guidance Counselor: Addresses the emotional and social aspects of student health, such as stress or anxiety, often in collaboration with the school nurse.
Behavior Counselor: May use health data to understand the root causes of behavioral issues related to health problems.
5. Literacy and Reading Skills
Data Points: Reading levels, comprehension scores, fluency rates, and literacy-based assessments.
How to Collect: Conduct regular reading assessments using tools like running records, standardized tests, or comprehension quizzes.
Who Uses It:
Reading/Literacy Specialist: Analyzes literacy data to provide targeted interventions and support for students struggling with reading.
Academic Counselor: Uses literacy data to guide course selection and recommend additional support services.
Instructional Coordinator: Uses data to develop and implement literacy programs across the curriculum.
6. Mathematical Skills
Data Points: Math test scores, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of mathematical concepts.
How to Collect: Administer math assessments, quizzes, and observe students during problem-solving activities.
Who Uses It:
Math Specialist: Provides targeted support and intervention strategies based on student performance data.
Academic Counselor: Uses math data to advise students on course selections and identify those who need additional support.
Instructional Coordinator: Develops school-wide strategies to improve math instruction based on data trends.
7. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Data Points: Peer interactions, emotional responses, conflict resolution skills, and SEL assessments.
How to Collect: Observe student interactions, conduct surveys, and utilize SEL assessment tools.
Who Uses It:
Guidance Counselor: Uses SEL data to support students in developing social skills and emotional resilience.
Behavior Counselor: Addresses issues related to emotional regulation and social interactions.
Dean of Students: Monitors school-wide SEL trends to create a supportive school environment.
8. Participation in Extracurricular Activities
Data Points: Involvement in clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities, including leadership roles and attendance.
How to Collect: Track student participation through sign-in sheets, club rosters, or digital platforms.
Who Uses It:
Athletic Director/Coach: Monitors student-athletes' participation and performance in sports.
Extra-Curricular Director/Club Sponsor: Tracks participation in clubs and extracurricular activities to ensure student engagement and success.
Guidance Counselor: Uses data to encourage students to participate in activities that align with their interests and support their overall development.
9. Individualized Learning Plan (ILP)
Data Points: Progress on personalized learning goals, accommodations, modifications, and support services provided.
How to Collect: Document progress through teacher observations, assessments, and updates to the ILP.
Who Uses It:
ILP Coordinator: Tracks student progress and ensures that all accommodations and modifications are being implemented effectively.
Academic Counselor: Reviews ILP data to support academic planning and ensure that the student’s educational needs are met.
Instructional Specialist: Provides strategies to teachers for differentiating instruction based on ILP data.
10. Library and Media Use
Data Points: Frequency of library visits, types of materials checked out, and participation in library programs.
How to Collect: Use library management software to track student interactions with library resources.
Who Uses It:
School Librarian: Uses data to tailor library services to student needs, promote reading programs, and support research skills.
Academic Counselor: May use library data to identify students with specific academic interests or needs.
11. Homework Completion and Quality
Data Points: Frequency of homework submission, quality of homework, consistency of effort.
How to Collect: Track homework completion through the gradebook, annotate the quality of work in comments, and note patterns in submission (e.g., late or incomplete work).
Who Uses It:
Academic Counselor: Monitors homework completion to identify students who may need time management support or academic interventions.
Behavior Counselor: Looks for patterns in homework submission that may indicate behavioral issues, such as lack of engagement or avoidance.
Instructional Specialist: Analyzes homework quality to provide feedback to teachers on aligning homework with instructional goals.
12. Student Engagement
Data Points: Participation in class discussions, responsiveness to questions, engagement in group work, and enthusiasm for learning activities.
How to Collect: Observe and record student engagement during lessons, use participation tracking tools, and gather feedback from students on their interest levels.
Who Uses It:
Instructional Specialist: Uses engagement data to recommend instructional strategies that increase student involvement and motivation.
Guidance Counselor: May address issues related to low engagement by exploring underlying causes such as personal or social challenges.
School Principal: Reviews engagement data to assess overall school climate and the effectiveness of teaching practices.
13. Technology Use
Data Points: Frequency and quality of technology use, digital literacy skills, online behavior, and adherence to digital citizenship guidelines.
How to Collect: Monitor student activity on educational platforms, track usage logs, and assess the quality of digital assignments or projects.
Who Uses It:
Instructional Coordinator: Reviews technology use data to ensure that digital tools are effectively integrated into the curriculum and to identify areas where teachers or students may need additional training.
Guidance Counselor: Uses data on online behavior to address issues related to cyberbullying or inappropriate technology use.
School Librarian: Assesses digital literacy levels and provides support in using online resources effectively.
14. Student Peer Relationships and Social Interactions
Data Points: Quality of peer relationships, participation in group activities, conflict resolution skills, and social integration.
How to Collect: Observe student interactions during group work, recess, and extracurricular activities, and document instances of positive or negative social behavior.
Who Uses It:
Behavior Counselor: Uses data on peer relationships to identify students who may need social skills training or conflict resolution support.
Guidance Counselor: Addresses issues related to peer pressure, bullying, or social exclusion, and works with students to build positive relationships.
Dean of Students: Monitors social dynamics to maintain a positive school environment and address any issues of bullying or harassment.
15. Parent and Family Engagement
Data Points: Frequency of parent-teacher communication, participation in parent-teacher conferences, involvement in school events, and responsiveness to school communications.
How to Collect: Record communications with parents, track attendance at school events, and note the level of parental involvement in their child's education.
Who Uses It:
Academic Counselor: Engages with parents to reinforce academic goals and to discuss strategies for supporting their child’s education at home.
School Principal: Reviews data on family engagement to develop strategies for increasing parental involvement and fostering a collaborative school community.
Guidance Counselor: Works with families to address any barriers to their involvement and ensure that they are informed and engaged in their child’s education.
16. Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Data Points: Students’ cultural backgrounds, primary languages, proficiency in English, and involvement in bilingual or ESL programs.
How to Collect: Gather information from student records, conduct language proficiency assessments, and observe participation in culturally responsive activities.
Who Uses It:
ESL/Bilingual Specialist: Uses data to provide targeted language support and to develop culturally responsive teaching strategies.
Guidance Counselor: Supports students in navigating cultural transitions and addressing any challenges related to cultural or linguistic diversity.
Instructional Coordinator: Ensures that curriculum and instruction are inclusive and responsive to the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students.
17. Extracurricular Leadership and Initiative
Data Points: Leadership roles in clubs, teams, or school organizations, initiation of projects or events, and participation in school governance.
How to Collect: Track involvement in extracurricular activities, note leadership roles, and document student-led initiatives.
Who Uses It:
Athletic Director/Coach: Identifies student-athletes who demonstrate leadership potential and provides opportunities for them to take on more responsibility.
Extra-Curricular Director/Club Sponsor: Encourages and supports students in taking leadership roles within clubs and organizations.
College Counselor: Uses leadership data to enhance student profiles for college applications and to recommend leadership scholarships.
18. Creativity and Innovation
Data Points: Originality in assignments, participation in creative projects, innovation in problem-solving, and contributions to class discussions that demonstrate creative thinking.
How to Collect: Assess creativity through project-based assignments, creative writing, or design tasks. Observe and document instances of creative problem-solving.
Who Uses It:
Instructional Specialist: Provides strategies to encourage and assess creativity in the classroom, ensuring that it is nurtured and valued.
College Counselor: Highlights students’ creativity and innovation in college applications, especially for programs that value these skills.
Department Head: Promotes a culture of creativity within the department, encouraging teachers to incorporate creative assignments and projects into the curriculum.
19. Career Interests and Aspirations
Data Points: Student interests in specific career fields, participation in career-related programs, internships, or job shadowing, and self-reported career goals.
How to Collect: Use career interest surveys, document participation in career events, and have students write reflective essays on their career aspirations.
Who Uses It:
College Counselor: Guides students in selecting courses, extracurricular activities, and colleges that align with their career interests.
Guidance Counselor: Provides resources and advice on career exploration and preparation, helping students to refine their goals.
School Principal: Uses career data to develop programs and partnerships with local businesses that align with student interests.
20. Physical Fitness and Health
Data Points: Physical fitness test scores, participation in physical education classes, involvement in sports teams, and overall health and wellness.
How to Collect: Record physical fitness assessments, monitor participation in PE and sports, and track health records related to fitness and wellness.
Who Uses It:
Athletic Director/Coach: Uses fitness data to identify students who could benefit from additional training or who show potential in specific sports.
School Nurse: Monitors physical fitness as part of overall student health, addressing issues like obesity or inactivity.
PE Teacher: Adjusts physical education programs based on fitness data to ensure that all students are improving their physical health.
21. Education Needs and Accommodations
Data Points: Documentation of special education services, accommodations provided, progress on individualized goals, and participation in specialized programs.
How to Collect: Maintain records of Individual Differentiation Plans, document accommodations used in the classroom, and track progress toward individualized goals.
Who Uses It:
Education Needs and Accommodations Coordinator: Ensures that students with special needs receive appropriate services and accommodations and monitors their progress.
Academic Counselor: Works with education needs students to ensure they are meeting their academic goals and to plan for post-secondary transitions.
Instructional Specialist: Provides teachers with strategies for differentiating instruction and supporting students with special needs in the general education classroom.
22. Work Habits and Study Skills
Data Points: Time management, organizational skills, note-taking effectiveness, and consistency in study routines.
How to Collect: Observe and record students’ organizational habits, review notebooks and planners, and monitor study habits through regular check-ins or self-assessment surveys.
Who Uses It:
Academic Counselor: Uses data on work habits to provide guidance on improving study skills and time management, especially for students struggling academically.
Guidance Counselor: Addresses any underlying issues that may be affecting a student’s ability to develop effective work habits.
Instructional Specialist: Develops resources and workshops focused on improving students' study skills and organizational habits.
23. Community Service and Civic Engagement
Data Points: Participation in community service projects, involvement in civic activities, and demonstration of social responsibility.
How to Collect: Track hours and types of community service, document involvement in civic activities like voting drives or awareness campaigns and note contributions to school or local community events.
Who Uses It:
College Counselor: Highlights community service and civic engagement in college applications and scholarship recommendations.
Guidance Counselor: Encourages students to participate in community service as a way to build character and develop a sense of responsibility.
School Principal: Promotes a culture of civic engagement within the school by recognizing and rewarding students who contribute to their community.
24. Environmental Awareness and Sustainability
Data Points: Participation in environmental clubs, involvement in sustainability projects, and understanding of environmental issues.
How to Collect: Document involvement in environmental initiatives, track participation in related clubs or classes, and assess understanding through projects or presentations.
Who Uses It:
Extra-Curricular Director/Club Sponsor: Encourages and supports students’ participation in environmental activities and sustainability projects.
Instructional Coordinator: Integrates environmental education into the curriculum and promotes sustainability practices across the school.
School Principal: Uses data on environmental awareness to guide school policies on sustainability and to support green initiatives.
