ERIC Number: EJ798959
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Nov
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-127X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
But What Do You Do with the Data?
Matthews, Jan; Trimble, Susan; Gay, Anne
Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, v73 n3 p53-56 Nov 2007
Using data to redesign instruction is a means of increasing student achievement. Educators in Camden County (Georgia) Schools have used data from benchmark testing since 1999. They hired a commercial vendor to design a benchmark test that is administered four times a year and use the data to generate subject-area reports that can be further disaggregated by grade, team, teacher, and student. To use data, teachers must accept the data, know what the numbers indicate, and be ready to change their instruction. Therefore, teacher leaders in each of the 12 schools organize the test data and help teachers through the stages of growth that are inherent with data usage (Trimble, Gay, & Matthews, 2005). This article discusses three steps that Camden uses to get the most out of its test data: (1) Schedule intensive data sessions; (2) Prepare data for teachers to examine; and (3) Lead teachers in data analysis. Data from benchmark tests are only useful if teachers and principals know how to use them to modify instruction. These steps can help school leaders make the most of benchmark data.
Descriptors: Student Evaluation, Data Analysis, Benchmarking, Evaluation Utilization, Statistical Studies, Educational Assessment, Educational Indicators, Skill Analysis, Professional Development
Prakken Publications. 832 Phoenix Drive, P.O. Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Tel: 734-975-2800; Fax: 734-975-2787; Web site: http://www.eddigest.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: Teachers; Administrators
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A