Practical Considerations in Using Data By, Drew Sager

Data Usage: A Historical Context 1983 - A Nation At Risk 1990s – Many states pass comprehensive reform legislation. Beginning of standards-based curriculum. 2002 – No Child Left Behind Increased federal control of education. Quantitative Indicators of: Test scores Attendance Graduation rates Documentation of yearly gains

School Counseling Forced to Adapt School counselors’ traditional focus on vocation, self- knowledge, and interpersonal development are not always seen as immediately connected to enhanced test scores. Education Trust “A profession that focuses on the relations and interactions between students and their school environment with the expressed purpose of reducing the effect of environmental and institutional barriers that impede student academic success”. ASCA National Standards Academic, Career, and Personal/Social ASCA National Model [Foundation, Management, Delivery, Advocacy] Overarching programmatic, organizational, and systems tool to explicitly link school counseling program to the academic missions of schools and connect school counseling with standard based education reform.

Types of Data Student Achievement Data Achievement-Related Data Standardized test scores GPAs College acceptance rates Dropout rates Achievement-Related Data Course enrollment patterns Discipline referrals Attendance rates Parent involvement Homework completion rates Standards- and Competency-Related Data Know the credit requirement for graduation Demonstrate knowledge of study skills and how to use an academic planner Use test-taking strategies Demonstrate conflict resolution skills Believe that it is important to come to school every day

Collecting, Analyzing, and Disaggregating Data Collecting Data Existing Data DOE School New Data Successful college applications Scholarship support Analyzing Data Make appropriate comparisons Convert raw data to percentages, ratios, and/or probabilities. Disaggregation of Data Compare and contrast data from different groups of students within school Gender Race/Ethnicity SES Grade

Using Data to Create Action Plans Guidance Curriculum Action Plan Analyze data to determine which standards to address. Conduct needs assessment to determine what students, administrators, and faculty see as important. CAPE Network online survey School counseling curriculum should be in line with identified school improvement goals and needs. Intentional Guidance Designed to close identified gaps in achievement between groups of students. Evidenced-based interventions Groups Use disaggregated data Are all groups of students attending college at the same rates? Are all groups feeling safe at school?

Evaluating Action Plans: Are Counseling Activities Effective? Process Data Provides evidence that an event occurred Who received services, activities, or lessons; when they received it; and for how long. Perception Data Tells us what students learned What a student believes, knows, or can demonstrate as a result of a lesson or activity. ASK – Attitudes, Skills, Knowledge Measured by survey, role plays, activity completion, pre- or posttests, etc. Attitudes, Skills, Knowledge  Behavior change Results Data “Hard” data that informs us if the activity or intervention has or has not positively influenced students’ ability to use attitudes, skills, and knowledge to change their behavior. Measured through achievement or achievement-related data

Results Conceptual Diagram Process Data Perception Data Results Data Competency-Attainment Data Achievement-Related Data Achievement Data Guidance lessons, group counseling, etc. Who? What? When? Where? How long? Attitudes Skills Knowledge Attendance Discipline referrals Parent Involvement Homework competition Course enrollment patterns State standardized test SAT/ACT scores Graduation rates Grade point averages AP tests (passing) College prep course completion. Behavior Change GUIDANCE CURRICULUM INTENTIONAL GUIDANCE (intervention)

Which Way To Go? Challenges in Utilizing Data Resistance from veteran counselors. Lack of awareness form administrators. Lack of time and resources. Your experiences? Your opinions?