ERIC Number: EJ689244
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 17
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1098-2140
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Available Date: N/A
Creating a Culture of Data Use for Continuous Improvement: A Case Study of an Edison Project School
Sutherland, Stephanie
American Journal of Evaluation, v25 n3 p277-293 2004
In this article, I outline how, with the appropriate mix of external requirements and internal motivation, structure and capacity, a school can promote and maintain a culture of evaluative practices, specifically data use, for continuous improvement. I draw upon qualitative data conducted in a study of an Edison Project school. The findings from this paper are the result of a larger 4-year study examining Comprehensive School Reform in 12 Title 1 schools in three states. Interviews were conducted with principals, teachers, other staff, parents and students, as well as with state officials, the superintendent, assistant superintendent and other high level administrators in the district. Observations were undertaken at the classroom level. Key findings include the importance of obtaining a multidimensional view of educational change. That is, we need to obtain a picture of the school reform environment (i.e., interconnections between the state, district, and school levels), and simultaneously investigate the interplay among critical school levers that are required to promote and maintain a culture of data use for school improvement. From this multidimensional view, we are better positioned to investigate and evaluate school change efforts.
Descriptors: School Restructuring, Experimental Schools, Educational Change, Educational Improvement, Data Interpretation, Statistical Data, Interviews, Administrators, State Officials
Sage Publications, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243 (Toll Free); Fax: 800-583-2665 (Toll Free).
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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