Understanding Data for Beginners School Community Council Training October 2013

Why we use data

 Tells a story  Identifies questions  Identifies answers  Gives context for understanding  Minimizes common excuses  Provides accountability  Informs practice  Drives change

Two key types of data Demographic DataAchievement Data

School Demographic Data  School size  Number of students  Number of teachers/staff  Class size  Grade Bands  K-6, 7-9,  K-5, 6-8, 9-12  K-6, 7-12  Other  School location  Attendance/mobility  Teacher qualifications

Student Demographic Data  Race and Ethnicity  English Fluency  ESL = English as a second language  ELL = English language learner  LEP = Limited English proficient  Economics  Economically disadvantaged = qualifies for free or reduced lunch under federal guidelines  Ability  Gifted/talented  Special education  504

Race and Ethnicity

USOE Published Demographics

Student Achievement Data Mastery (Location)Growth (Direction)

Mastery Data (State)  State Testing  Criterion Referenced Tests (CRT)  Grades 3-12  Language Arts, Math, and Science  Direct Writing Assessment (DWA)  Grades 5 & 8  Writing  DIBELS  Grades 1-3  Reading  UALPA  Grades K-12  English Language Proficiency

Mastery Data (Davis District)  District Testing  Criterion Referenced Tests (CRT)  Grades 1-2  Language Arts and Math  Kindergarten Assessment  Language Arts and Math  DIBELS  Grades K-6  Reading  Other Assessments  District common assessments  School common assessments

Growth Measures  Student Growth Percentile (State)

Growth Measures  Bin Percentile Rank (Davis District) 2011 Test Scores (or score history) 2012 Test Scores Bin 1Bin 2Bin 3Bin 4Bin 5Bin 6Bin 7Bin 8Bin 9 Lowest Bin 5 Highest 60%40% BPR = 60

College and Career Readiness Data  Graduation Rate  New federal formula  AP Credit  Concurrent Enrollment  International Baccalaureate  ACT Scores

School Environment Data  State Measures  SHARP surveys  Accreditation  District Measures  Indicators of School Quality (ISQ)  Parent/student surveys of teachers (classroom environment)  Parent/student surveys of principals (school environment)

USOE Published Achievement Data

Things to Remember  Data only tells part of the whole story.  We should look for trends not snapshots.  Data generates more questions than answers.  Data must be well understood in order to generate conclusions.

Thank You! Logan T. Toone, PhD Director of Assessment, Research, & Evaluation