Data Team Summaries Drive Educational Instruction
Grade level teams meet weekly to discuss both formative and summative data. For example, upper grades use daily math work to form small intervention groups at the end of each day. Primary grade levels often look at the depth of knowledge about a newly introduced concept. Decisions are made to remain on topic or group students for additional instruction. Summative data also impact broader grade level goals. Data team summaries from February 2014 are attached below
Issues this Best Practice Addresses:
This process assures that instruction is not only standards based, but also data driven for the group of children represented at each grade level/classroom during the academic year. It also helps preservice teachers understand how important it is to focus on student learning and not just their own teaching.
Major Challenges to Implementation:
Time is available and is designated for grade level meetings once each week. Changes in district-wide scheduling have decreased dedicated professional development time, which used to occur on Tuesdays after school, to a designated prep time during the school day. This sometimes results in less time actually spent in data analysis due to day-to-day interruptions. Data may be interpreted and applied differently, depending on the personal stance of individual teachers toward teaching.
Benefits Derived from Implementing this Best Practice:
Teachers (and often children) know the about academic needs. Children receive instruction in basics in the primary grades that can then be deepened to application. Teachers communicate on a regular basis and often employ flexible grouping activities to meet the needs of all students. Teachers and administrators have identified a need for cross grade-level collaboration, which will be piloted this spring.
Evidence Illustrating Success:
Students experience continual improvement identified through on-going data collection and review. These data include formative classroom indicators and summative indicators such as DIBELS and Acuity.
Additional Materials:
Submitted by: Jill Miels, Rhoades Elementary School