2.8 Data Analysis
Candidates model and facilitate the effective use of digital tools and resources to systematically collect and analyze student achievement data, interpret results, communicate findings, and implement appropriate interventions to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.
Data Overview
The Data Overview was completed in the Data Analysis and School Improvement course. The purpose of this assignment was to create a summary of student achievement results based on the Georgia CRCT by locating and reviewing demographic and student achievement data for my school. The Data Overview included five years of longitudinal data for comparison, and graphs visually represented the data throughout the overview. Overall, the Data Overview summarized reading and math CRCT data from 2006 to 2010. The summary also highlighted strengths and weaknesses that were determined from the data analysis. The end of the Data Overview provided discussion questions that could guide the school's "next steps" conversation.
The Data Overview demonstrates mastery of Standard 2.8 because the process of creating the overview included collecting and analyzing student achievement data (Georgia CRCT), interpreting the results, communicating the results through a PowerPoint presentation, and providing discussion questions to jumpstart conversations about appropriate interventions. The overall goal of the Data Overview was to determine the strengths and weaknesses in our school performance and maximize student learning to address those strengths and weaknesses. The completion of the Data Overview also included the use of digital tools and resources.
From completing this artifact, I learned a lot about the data analysis process. It can be time consuming, but it is rewarding to determine what areas need the most focus. I also learned about using Excel to analyze data and create graphs to represent the data. I think that is a skill I will find to be useful for many applications. Finally, the Data Overview gave me a good idea about what kind of information would need to be presented at a school wide meeting about the student achievement. To improve the quality of this assignment, I would have liked to include a data analysis of each grade level in my Data Overview. This would have provided even more specific information about the strengths and weaknesses in our school, and it could have led to even more discussions about what learning strategies are effective for student achievement.
The Data Overview impacts school improvement because it summarizes data about the overall school performance which will lead to further conversations and discussions about improving the school. It allowed me to summarize my school's student achievement in reading and math and highlight the strengths and weaknesses. In turn, the staff at my school can determine what areas need improvement and what steps need to be taken to achieve that improvement. Overall, the goal of the Data Overview is to drive a staff towards the same areas as they work on improving the weaknesses in a school. The impact for the Data Overview could be assessed by surveying the staff after presenting the Data Overview. The survey could focus on what teachers and staff members will take away from the overview. Also, the survey can ask teachers and staff members what steps they plan to take next. Ultimately, if the Data Overview is an effective tool, then the impact could be assessed by observing the changes the teachers are making in their classrooms to increase student achievement.
The Data Overview demonstrates mastery of Standard 2.8 because the process of creating the overview included collecting and analyzing student achievement data (Georgia CRCT), interpreting the results, communicating the results through a PowerPoint presentation, and providing discussion questions to jumpstart conversations about appropriate interventions. The overall goal of the Data Overview was to determine the strengths and weaknesses in our school performance and maximize student learning to address those strengths and weaknesses. The completion of the Data Overview also included the use of digital tools and resources.
From completing this artifact, I learned a lot about the data analysis process. It can be time consuming, but it is rewarding to determine what areas need the most focus. I also learned about using Excel to analyze data and create graphs to represent the data. I think that is a skill I will find to be useful for many applications. Finally, the Data Overview gave me a good idea about what kind of information would need to be presented at a school wide meeting about the student achievement. To improve the quality of this assignment, I would have liked to include a data analysis of each grade level in my Data Overview. This would have provided even more specific information about the strengths and weaknesses in our school, and it could have led to even more discussions about what learning strategies are effective for student achievement.
The Data Overview impacts school improvement because it summarizes data about the overall school performance which will lead to further conversations and discussions about improving the school. It allowed me to summarize my school's student achievement in reading and math and highlight the strengths and weaknesses. In turn, the staff at my school can determine what areas need improvement and what steps need to be taken to achieve that improvement. Overall, the goal of the Data Overview is to drive a staff towards the same areas as they work on improving the weaknesses in a school. The impact for the Data Overview could be assessed by surveying the staff after presenting the Data Overview. The survey could focus on what teachers and staff members will take away from the overview. Also, the survey can ask teachers and staff members what steps they plan to take next. Ultimately, if the Data Overview is an effective tool, then the impact could be assessed by observing the changes the teachers are making in their classrooms to increase student achievement.