The Data Guidebook for Teachers and Leaders: Tools for Continuous Improvement

by Eileen M. Depka

Overview

This book offers practical methods, templates, and rubrics for collecting and analyzing data, and includes innovative ideas for building trust, including students in the process, and working together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412917551
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	02/13/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Depka is an educational consultant and author. Eileen has supervised and coordinated curriculum, instruction, assessment, special education, educational technology, and continuous improvement efforts. In addition, she provides professional development for K–12 administrators and teachers. Eileen has taught all subjects at the elementary and middle levels, and she has also taught graduate-level courses. As a consultant, she has worked with schools and districts across the country, focusing on topics including assessment, grading and reporting, portfolio development, rubrics, continuous improvement, and data collection. Since 1998, Eileen has presented at the local, state, and national levels.

Eileen has been featured in and consulted on educational videos, and she has written online courses. She is the author of Focus on Homework, Designing Rubrics for Mathematics, Designing Assessment for Mathematics, and The Data Guidebook for Teachers and Leaders: Tools for Continuous Improvement. She is the co-author of Formative Assessment in the RTI Framework and a contributing author to Data Enhanced Leadership. Her newest book concentrating on questioning strategies will be available later this year through Solution-Tree press.

Eileen earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin. Her Master’s and Doctoral degrees were earned from Cardinal Stritch University.

Eileen is passionate about student achievement and is driven by the belief that all children can achieve academic success. Her goal is to work with teachers and administrators to collectively increase expertise and add to strategy banks used in educational settings in an effort to impact student achievement.

Table of Contents

List of Figures
Preface
About the Author
1. Data-Based Decision Making and the Improvement Process
What Do the Experts Say?
The Process
The Improvement Cycle
Closing Thoughts
2. Data Collection
What Should Be Collected?
Creating a Balance
Must-Have Data
Tools: The Three “T’s”
Closing Thoughts
3. Delving Into the Data
Getting a Closer Look at Data
Defining a Purpose
Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance
Planning and Implementing the Data Delve
Closing Thoughts
4. Standardized and State Test Data
Reporting Data
Comparing Response Types
Item Analysis
Promoting Analysis and Discussion
Closing Thoughts
5. Using District Assessments
District Assessments
Collecting the Data
Why Collect and Share?
Closing Thoughts
6. Rubrics: Data Use and Organization
Gaining a Common Understanding: Holistic and Analytical Rubrics
Gathering Individual Student Data From Rubrics
Reporting Results
Communicating With Students
Evaluating Group Data From Rubrics
Closing Thoughts
7. Classroom Assessment Data
The Purpose of Collection
Grade Book Highlighting
Item Analysis
Classroom Disaggregations
Rubric Results
A Systematic View of Classroom Analysis
Daily Reflection
Closing Thoughts
8. Students and Data
Feedback
Reflection
Charts and Graphs
Closing Thoughts
9. Experiencing Success
Generate Interest
Make Data a Habit
Involve Others
Promote the Cycle
Create an Expectation
Expect Change
Provide Support
Celebrate Success
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Offers a straightforward approach that requires very little statistical experience on the part of the reader. Will be invaluable for educators who are looking for a resource as they 'delve into their own data.' "

Principal Navigator

"Portraying data review as collegial conversation in school teams, Depka provides discussion starters, reflective worksheets, follow-up plans and graphics to guide the team's dialogue."

Ronald S. Thomas

"This book is full of examples and tools to enhance the use of data within classrooms, schools, and school districts, and can be used by individuals and groups who work within an educational setting, and would like to know more about data and its connection to continuous school improvement. "

From the Preface

"At last, a book on data that both teachers and administrators can use to improve student achievement. Her text and user-friendly forms guide veterans and novices through a process that makes data an integral part of teaching and learning. "

Kay Burke