January/February 2006
What can district administrators do to
support schools in becoming “data wise”?
1. Set Up a Data
System
Whether the district creates its own system or purchases a software
program, administrators must consider:
• What data to include
• How to organize it and update it regularly
• Computational power vs. ease of use
• How to balance access and confidentiality
2. Create Incentives
One incentive is to require that school improvement plans be based
on student assessment results. If schools with strong improvement
plans and proven results are granted more autonomy, this can motivate
school teams to do the analysis work well.
3. Support New
Skills
School staffs will need professional development to support a variety
of skills:
• How to interpret and use assessment data
• How to access data and create graphic displays
• How to participate productively in group discussions
• How to develop, implement, and assess action plans
4. Find the Time
Teachers need time to work together in order to learn and implement
these new skills. Options can include:
• Scheduling a weekly early release day
• Paying substitutes to cover classes
• Compensating teachers for extra time
5. Model the Work
District leaders can also model the “Data Wise” Improvement
Process. This may be new and challenging work for most members of
the central office team, but it sends a strong message to the district’s
schools.
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