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Data

Meaningful analysis can rescue schools from drowning in data

By Learning Forward
August 2011
Vol. 32 No. 4
Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning have the potential to influence educational policy and practice in profound ways for the systems that are courageous enough to take them seriously, and the Data standard is a critical element systemwide. Schools are overwhelmed with data warehouses, colorful charts and graphs, and endless PowerPoint presentations. The millions of dollars that governments at all levels are investing in data systems will be wasted unless significantly greater attention is paid to the systematic evaluation of teaching and leadership decisions based on data. However, in many schools, the availability of data is inversely proportional to meaningful analysis. The reality is that many common practices substitute the appearance of data analysis for the reality of substantive analysis. To realize the achievement of

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Authors

Douglas B. Reeves and Tony Flach

Douglas Reeves ([email protected]) is the founder of the Leadership and Learning Center and Tony Flach ([email protected]) is a senior professional development associate at the center. 

References

Amabile, T. & Kramer, S. (2011, May). The power of small wins. Harvard Business Review, 85(5).

Anderson, K. (2010). Data teams: Success stories (Vol. 1). Englewood, CO: Lead + Learn Press.

DuFour, R. & Marzano, R.J. (2009, February). High-leverage strategies for principal leadership. Educational Leadership, 66(5), 62-69.

Fullan, M. (2010). All systems go: The change imperative for whole system reform. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Hargreaves, A. & Shirley, D. (2009). The fourth way: The inspiring future for educational change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Hattie, J. (2009). Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. New York: Routledge.

Marshall, K. (2010a). Principal evaluation rubrics. Available at www.marshallmemo.com/articles/Prin%20Eval%20Rubrics%20Jan%2026,%2010.pdf.

Marshall, K. (2010b). Teacher evaluation rubrics. Available at www.marshallmemo.com/articles/%20KM%20Teacher%20Eval%20Rubrics%20Sept%202010.pdf.

Marzano, R.J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: A comprehensive framework for effective instruction. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Pink, D.H. (2009). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. New York: Riverhead Books.

Reeves, D.B. (2008). Assessing educational leaders: Evaluating performance for improved individual and organizational results (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Reeves. D.B. (2011a). Elements of grading: A guide to effective practice. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree.

Reeves, D.B. (2011b). Finding your leadership focus: What matters most for student success. New York: Teachers College Press. 

Stiggins, R.J. (2007). An introduction to student-involved assessment for learning (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.


Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.


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