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Data to Results
A Practical Data-Driven Approach to Increasing Student Achievement
This new service helps school board members and school personnel collect and use data to improve their schools. Data to Results is a practical process designed to produce results. In Data to Results, MASB will assist the Board of Education and the school district's leadership team in: Collecting Comprehensive Data; Analyzing District Data; Presenting the Data; Identifying Opportunities for Improvement; Setting Priority Goals; Monitoring Progress; and Celebrating Success.
An Overview of the Data to Results Process. Increasingly, school leaders are turning to data to help them make good decisions about improving schooling for students. The "whole story" is not revealed by the data. There are many important components of effective schools that can't be measured with numbers, statistics and percentages. However, school officials can use data to provide a better understanding of the district. Data can identify strengths and weaknesses; and provide important insights that inform future decisions.
How is Data to Results different from other approaches to planning and school improvement? Data to Results starts with the numbers. Many other processes use data--but often information is collected and analyzed after goals have been identified. With Data to Results, information is collected, analyzed and presented early in the process to help school leaders make good decisions concerning school improvement.
Why use data? Using data helps districts get results. Data forms a solid foundation for choosing goals-and then provides the information to monitor progress toward reaching those goals. Moreover, data is a very effective way to market and "tell the story" of a school district.
What is the source of the data used in this process? For the most part, data to be used is already included in the information and records that a school district routinely collects. In some cases, you may develop targeted new data sources-but, in most cases, it's a matter of organizing, analyzing and presenting data already available. Aggregate districtwide data will also be gathered from statewide sources-such as MEAP results and Standard & Poor's School Evaluation Service.
How much time is required of the Board of Education for the Data to Results process? Data to Results has been designed to fit the needs of busy boards and board members. Establishing priority goals will involve two board workshops (one of about 2 hour in lengths and another about 4 hours in length). Other presentations or workshops will be held in conjunction with regular meetings of the board. The process generally can be completed in a 4 to 6 month period.
What is the role of technology in the analysis of data? When it comes to collecting and analyzing data, technology offers exciting possibilities. The Data to Results process explores the impressive potential of technology to manage data in school districts.
Will the process use Standard & Poor's data? And how is that data different?Yes, Standard & Poor's data will be summarized for your district's leadership team. Data to Results helps you analyze and understand this data. The Standard & Poor's School Evaluation Service data is different because it is comparative. This information compares your district to other districts like yours throughout Michigan.
What are some specific examples of data to be used? The Data to Results process customizes data collection to fit the needs of each district. The Standard & Poor's report-and other sourcesÐwill point to specific data to be collected and analyzed. Some specific examples of information analyzed in the Data to Results process are printed below. (Not all of these areas are examined in each school district. MASB consultants will meet with district leaders to determine which areas need to be examined for each district.) - Graduation Rates
- Teacher turnover
- Student-staff ratios
- Attendance and absentee rates
- Scores on local standardized tests
- Scores on college entrance exams
- Reading levels at specific grades
- MEAP scores
- Technology inventory
- Letter grades
- Parent involvement
- Participation in advanced courses
- Student demographics
- Statistics related to school of choice
- Discipline reports
- Teacher participation in continuing education
- Teacher turnover
- Years of experience of teachers
- Participation in extra-curricular activities
- Per pupil expenditures
- Percentages expended for instruction
- Fund balance level
- Supplemental funding levels
- And much more
What Services are provided by MASB? Each Data to Results project is customized to fit the needs of a specific district. Typical components of a Data to Results project include:
Collection and Analysis of Data. MASB (with the assistance of district staff) collects data, compiles data and then presents it to the board in a concise, easy-to-understand format.
Facilitation of Goal Setting by the Leadership Team. MASB consultants will facilitate the prioritization and planning process. Two consultants will attend each major planning workshop.
Presentation to the Staff and Public. Upon request, MASB consultants will present the finding of the Data to Results project to the district staffÐand to the public.
Additional Consultation. MASB consultants provide such additional consultation as may, from time to time, be necessary to insure the success of this process.
Data Provided on Computer Disk. Each district will receive the Data to Results report as both a "hard copy" and on a computer disk. The information on the computer disk can be modified to generate new reports as new data is generated.
How to learn more about Data to Results? To learn more about Data to Results contact Olga Holden (517.327.5906) or Kathy Hayes (517.327.5905) at the Michigan Association of School Boards. We would be pleased to provide more information or prepare a proposal for your district.
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