"Data-based decisions"-the phrase has become a buzzword in education over the last few years. However, it does make sense that using information to help clarify issues, identify alternative solutions to problems, and target resources more effectively will lead to better decisions. The real question should not be whether to integrate the use of data in decision making, but how.Finding good data and using it effectively is actually a complex process-one that many schools and districts are just beginning to address. One specific type of data-based decision making that shows promise for helping schools dramatically increase student achievement is the use of assessment data to drive instructional improvement

This report addresses some of these issues by summarizing findings from an exploratory study of the school-based assessment practices in a sample of elementary, middle, and secondary schools. The purposes of the study were twofold: (1) to add to the growing base of knowledge about how schools use student assessment data obtained from multiple sources to inform important decisions about programs, instruction, and individual students; and (2) to identify and describe the factors and conditions that make schools' use of the student assessment data more probable and valuable.

It is ethically imperative that educators develop assessment strategies that ensure equity in assessing and interpreting student performance.

NCREL has gathered a selection of web-based tools for collecting information, ranging from checklists to surveys, and including information about software tools for data collection and analysis. A tutorial provides an overview of the use of data in school improvement; a bibliography and background section are also included.

It seems like you can't go a whole week lately without hearing about some major data security breach that has made national headlines. For businesses, these data leaks are bad enough-but for schools, they can be especially costly, as network security breaches can put schools in violation of several federal laws intended to protect students' privacy.

In a move that could prompt major changes in the way states measure the achievement of English-language learners, the U.S. Department of Education is planning to tell states they must each use a consistent yardstick in determining when a child is fluent in English and when that child no longer needs special ELL services.

When K-12 school districts began implementing the first student information systems (SISs) during the 1990s, special education was largely left out of the process. The two systems evolved as separate entities, technologically speaking, and in the handling of individualized education programs (IEPs), paper remained the dominant storage medium long after other student records had made the digital transition.Left out of the digital revolution for too long, special education is finally being integrated into student information systems.

The HSTW Assessment, administered to seniors, is used by HSTW states, districts and schools to document school improvement efforts. It is comprised of three subject tests (reading, mathematics and science) coupled with a student survey. This assessment provides comprehensive school-level data that disaggregate students' achievement by their perceptions of school and classroom experiences. These results have given schools, districts and states a unique opportunity to determine what is and is not working to increase student achievement. The assessment is administered by all HSTW sites in even-numbered years.

May 2008 : THE Journal. The challenge for teachers is to find ways to support in-depth learning and increased student achievement, "...while also employing a variety of measures, including standardized tests." What kinds of new methods would provide the kind of learning environments and learning measurements that truly reflect the learning that is taking place? What new skills are needed if instructors are to meet this challenge?

Based on research conducted by the California P-16 Council, the CDE and other partners involved in this project, specific recommendations have been proposed to address the achievement gap among student subgroups.
Note Recommendation #11: Design, develop, and implement coherent and relevant professional development in the areas of data collection, analysis and interpretation

With a significant and growing population of linguistically diverse learners, careful measures must be taken to ensure equitable assessment of students' performance. If not, the achievement gap between the "advantaged" and "disadvantaged" will widen in our society (NCEST, 1992). Studies over the last decade have resulted in findings that can be translated into guidelines that can assist in equitable assessments. However, it will be up to state and local education agencies to begin the process of crafting assessments that reflect this knowledge and meet the educational needs of their student populations.

You must teach vocabulary if you expect students to use it.

Assessment of project based learning remains somewhat of a mystery, because we have few models of assessment systems that match with project-based curricula and student-centered instruction. Our GLEF Agenda advocates for a full spectrum view of assessment, what we call comprehensive assessment. This vacuum around improving assessment limits development of better curriculum and instruction, because assessment drives instruction. What gets measured gets taught. And, as Einstein indirectly observed, it's become too convenient to confine assessment to counting test scores.

Performance assessements go beyond traditional tests and serve as an important teaching tool.

The following handouts specifially cover data topics from the 2008 AASA Conference:

How schools can move beyond D3M to embrace a culture of education performance management.

10 Research-Based Principles to Guide Classroom Practice. You can also download a free poster on the 10 principles from this site.

A Louisiana district scours a year's worth of discipline reports for patterns. It occurred to Bowman that analyzing the reports could provide insight into the root causes of disciplinary problems--tardiness, dress code violations, fighting, vandalism, and more--as well as the effectiveness of how the schools deal with them, and how fairly discipline is enforced. The reports generally contain structured data, including demographic information such as the student's grade and age, and a written narrative that describes the infraction.

A tool and means to the development of human capital and capacity building in education. - Free Online Library