Building an Effective Data Team for School Improvement: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Using Data TO GUIDE ACTION FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT Building a Data Team Deb Wragge, Carol Jessen Professional Staff Developers

2. Goals: • To define, prepare, and establish an active and effective Data Team • To recognize and implement effective data collection and display • To study, practice and implement a data inquiry protocol

3. Agenda

5. Data Team Definition: • A group of people dedicated to improving student achievement through data inquiry

6. A Data Team is NOT… A Data Team IS… • Solely responsible for all of the work involved in pursuing improvement A group of people: who have agreed to dedicate time and effort to organize efforts around data who will help build and maintain a culture of data use

7. Confidentiality • Importance – • Because it is likely the team will use identifiable student data • Confidentiality Agreement

8. Roster and Attendance • Purpose – • To track membership and attendance • To ensure everyone knows • who is on the team • their role • how to reach them • To serve as a simple sign-in sheet for each data team meeting records

9. Team Roles and Responsibilities • Important and Common Roles: • Facilitator • Time-Keeper • Recorder • Referee • Planner • Active Participant

10. Shared Values and Behavior Norms • Coming to consensuses on the group’s shared values and expectations for Behavior • Developing a clear and shared understanding of the team’s • Purpose • Specific roles • Responsibilities of each member • How the team will conduct its meeting

11. Identify Values and Behavior Norms

12. Meeting Organization • To keep on task and moving forward, every meeting should have an agenda to guide the discussion and work. • Important items to include on the agenda are: • Affirmation of team norms and values • A review of the status of the last meeting’s action items • Objective and expected outcomes for the meeting • Action items to pursue for the next meeting (including identifying who is responsible) • Time allotments for each agenda item

13. Sample Agenda using Today’s Work

15. The Six Stages of the Cycle of Data Inquiry

16. A data-rich environment

17. A cohesive data analysis and decision-making process

18. Why have a data process? • To ensure high-quality outcomes • Seamless transitions • To use data to answer important questions • Structured and systematic • Leading to informed decision making and action Its purpose? What makes it effective?

19. Data Teams • What is a Data Team? • What is their role and function? • What structures and process do they use? • A climate of trust and openness • Open and honest communication • A sense of belonging • Diversity valued as an asset • Creativity and risk-taking • Ongoing evaluation with ability to self-correct • Members who are interdependent • A consensus decision-making style • Participatory leadership • Do they require ongoing support?

20. The data team process is continuous.The data team’s work is NEVER complete.

21. The Six Stages of the Cycle of Data Inquiry

22. Stage 1: • ASK GOOD QUESTIONS

23. Stage 1: • ASK GOOD QUESTIONS 1 A. Identify the Focus Area

24. Stage 1: • ASK GOOD QUESTIONS 1 B. Generate Possible Questions

25. Possible Questions

26. Stage 1: • ASK GOOD QUESTIONS 1 C. Narrow the Question to Focus Inquiry

27. Stage 2: • Collect and Prepare the Data

28. Stage 2: • Collect and Prepare the Data 2 A. Data Collection Plan

29. Summary & Wrap-Up • Thinking About Today’s Work… • Give One Learning/Ah HA to your Right-Hand Partner • Take OneLearning/Ah HA from your Left-handed partner • Large Group Quick Share… So, What Occurred Today? Next Steps….. What does the Data Team NEED to Do/Prepare for the November 21 Work Session ? 1. 2. 3. 4.

31. Stage 3: • Find Trends and Make Observations

32. Stage 3: • Find Trends and Make Observations 3 A. SURFing the Data

33. SURF Remember to ALWAYS SURF!

34. Stage 4: • Interpret the Data

35. Stage 4: • Interpret the Data 4 A. Celebrate Strengths and Identify Challenges

36. Stage 4: • Interpret the Data 4 B. Prioritize the Challenges

37. Stage 4: • Interpret the Data 4 C. Determine Driving Factors

38. Definitions: Area of Control: Area of Influence: Area of Concern: • The team has no ability to alter the factors in this area, but these factors do remain a concern.

39. Stage 4: • Interpret the Data 4 C. Determine Driving Factors

40. Stage 4: • Interpret the Data 4 D. Fishbone Diagram

41. Stage 4: • Interpret the Data 4 D. Isolate Controllable Driving Factors

42. Definitions: Area of Control: Area of Influence: Area of Concern: • The team has no ability to alter the factors in this area, but these factors do remain a concern.

43. Stage 5: • Plan for Action

44. Stage 5: • Plan for Action 5 A. Identify Strategy for Action

45. Stage 6: • Implement, Monitor, and Sustain

46. Stage 6: • Implement, Monitor, and Sustain 6 A. Action Plan – Organizing the Team for Action

47. Stage 6: • Implement, Monitor, and Sustain 6 B. Evaluating Progress and Improvement

48. The Six Stages of the Cycle of Data Inquiry

49. Summary & Wrap-Up What NOT to Do… and, Your NEED to Do’s • Data_Displays copy.ppt • School Need to Do’s