Table of Contents
About the Author ix
Preface xi
Introduction 1
Data and Education 2
The Place of Educational Evaluation 4
The Collective Responsibility of Educational Evaluation 5
Leading Data-Informed Change 6
Chapter 1 The Context of Student Data In Schools
International Testing Programs 12
Data Use in Schools 15
Research by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 16
Categories of Data Use 18
The Cycle of Data-Informed Instruction 19
Types of Data Available in Schools 20
Publication of School Data 22
Summary 24
Chapter 2 The Challenge of Using and Leading With Data 25
But Isn't Data Scary? 25
Negativity Bias 27
Data Literacy of Educators 29
Leading Change 30
The Big Opportunity 33
Priming the Environment for Data-Informed Change 38
The Ten-Step Change Process 41
Summary 43
Chapter 3 Step 1: Establish A Data (Or Project) Team 45
Priming the Environment by Establishing a Data Team 45
Team Commitments 47
Assumptions About Data 47
Development of Team Norms 49
Length, Agenda, and Chairing of Meetings 50
Choosing Team Members 51
Collective Teacher Efficacy 52
Grit, Growth Mindset, and Positive Psychology 56
Alignment With Kotter's Change Process 57
Key Summary 57
Chapter 4 Step 2: Understand the Data and the Data Collection Methods 61
An Example of a Principal Who Chose to Learn About the Data 63
Priming the Environment by Talking About the Data 64
Priming the Environment by Starting With the Why 69
Key Summary 74
Chapter 5 Step 3: Select and Collect Relevant Data 77
Triangulation 78
Priming the Environment by Being Transparent 79
Key Summary 86
Chapter 6 Step 4: Display Relevant Data In An Appropriate Format 89
Shade or Color-Code the Data 89
Other Displays of Data 91
The Role of Technology in School Data Use 92
Using Technology Alongside Our Understanding of Students 93
The Impact of Your Views on Your Staff's Perspectives 93
Key Summary 94
Chapter 7 Step 5: Analyze the Data and Identify Trends 97
Questions to Support Data Conversations 98
Analysis Templates 99
Analyzing Sets of Data 103
Priming the Environment by Embracing the Power of Vulnerability 107
Key Summary 112
Chapter 8 Step 6: Question the Reasons For Trends 115
Priming the Environment by Encouraging Curiosity 117
Priming the Environment by Leaning Into Difficult Conversations 122
Key Summary 128
Chapter 9 Step 7: Consider Options for Data-Informed Change and Choose Your Direction 131
Considering Data-Informed Change Options 131
Priming the Environment by Building Professional Trust 133
Decide on the Data-Informed Change 139
Key Summary 142
Chapter 10 Step 8: Create An Action Plan 145
Priming the Environment by Leading Up and Down 147
Priming the Environment by Building a Culture of Predicting Results 150
Key Summary 155
Chapter 11 Step 9: Make the Change 157
Priming the Environment by Reaching a Critical Mass or Tipping Point 157
Priming the Environment by Celebrating Small Wins 164
Key Summary 167
Chapter 12 Step 10: Evaluate the Impact 169
What Happens If the Change Process Does Not Go to Plan? 170
Key Summary 171
Epilogue 173
Appendix 177
Template 1 Exploring and Analyzing Different Types of Data 178
Template 2 Exploratory Analysis 181
Template 3 Bright Spots 184
Template 4 Intervention or Areas of Concern 187
References and Resources 191
Index 199
