Using Classroom Data to

Make Classroom Decisions

Making the best decisions for your classroom is possible when you consider student data in the decision-making process. There are several types of student data your can collect and analyze.

Behind the Scenes: Planning

Types of Data to Collect and Analyze

Demographic

Enrollment History / Transfers

Family/Home life

Likes and Dislikes

Grade Level

Age - Birthdate

Socioeconomic status

Achievement

Historical Grades

Current Grades

GPA

Attendance History

CTAE Pathway

MAP Scores (Middle School)

Milestones Scores

EOC Scores

ACT Scores

Classwork/Assessments

Perception

Teacher Surveys

Climate Survey Results

School Report Card

Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) Dashboard

SLDS contains the Demographic and Achievement data you need!

Make more informed (data-driven) decisions designed to improve student learning.
Identify students' academic strengths and weaknesses.
Increase student achievement and close achievement gaps.
Identify and address potential recurring impediments to student learning, e.g., problems with attendance or difficulty in mastering prerequisite knowledge or skills, before they negatively affect student success.
Quickly create targeted differentiation groups and cohorts.
Visit the SLDS Homepage for more information about the Dashboard

Collecting Demographic and Achievement Data

1. Spend time looking in SLDS for student information. Challenge yourself to use the One Student a Day concept to determine students’ strengths and weaknesses.

Log into SLDS and spend 5 minutes a day to review the following:

Standardized Assessments
Attendance History
Enrollment History
Growth on Milestones/EOC
Course Grade History

2. Make a list of your top 10 at-risk students, and begin with their data. Take notes about the information you find. Jot down/type helpful facts about your "at-risk" students.

Create a spreadsheet with the above categories as column headers.

3. Don't forget to look at your students who are not at-risk. They need your attention, too!

Collecting Perception Data

Student perception data refers to survey results collected from students regarding teacher practices and classroom environments, and can be collected through the use of surveying.

A student survey allows students to voice their issues, needs, and desires, giving feedback on how a teacher can change his or her instruction to help them perform better in class. This is not meant to be negative! You need to know how your students feel and what they think about the class and you.

Here's a list of student survey questions that'll help you gather actionable insights from your students:

Is the work in this class too hard or too easy for you?
Do you feel our tests and quizzes are fair?
How easy is it to approach me with questions or concerns?
Do you feel our class time is used wisely?
What do you like most about this class?
What do you like least?
What else do you think I should know?

1. Use Google Forms to create a student survey. At this point we are 2 months into school, mid-way through the semester, so consider using the example questions above since they are content-related.

2. Choose a quiet time in class to administer the survey - warm up or closing are the best choices.

3. Afterwards, review the results using the Google Forms tools to dig deeper into the data.

TIP: The end of the semester is another great time to survey your students!!

Consider using the following questions: