2.8 Data Analysis
Candidates model and facilitate the effective use of digital tools and resources to systematically collect and analyze student achievement data, interpret results, communicate findings, and implement appropriate interventions to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning. (ISTE 2h)
Artifact: Data Overview
Reflection:
During the spring semester of 2016, I created a Data Overview for the ITEC 7305- Data Analysis and School Improvement course. After spending the semester creating an inventory of data sources for Dalton Middle School and learning about various ways to analyze them using the Using Data Process (UDP) and the Data Wise Improvement Process, this Data Overview was created to begin conversations amongst the seventh grade science faculty around the data. This PowerPoint takes five years of longitudinal data from DMS CRCT science scores and uses a series of graphs and charts to visualize the data and trends over the time period. My contribution for this artifact was collecting the data in spreadsheets and then turning it into graphs and charts then compiling it all in the PowerPoint so it could be shared with others.
For this artifact I was able to model and facilitate for others in my science department the importance of effectively using digital tools and resources to collect and analyze student achievement data. By collecting the annual testing data from the CRCT and GA Milestones assessments for the last five years, I was able to analyze the data and create charts and graphs to help communicate to my colleagues and other stakeholders what it was representing. Using the Data Overview, we were able to sit down together and interpret the results and trends of the data to determine the specific strengths and weaknesses of the seventh grade science department as shown by these annual assessments. From these conversations we were able to identify certain weaknesses and prepare to implement appropriate interventions to improve instructional practice next school year and maximize student learning. For example, we identified that there is an achievement gap with our ELL subgroup population. To address this gap we began discussing intervention strategies that can be used to reinforce the vocabulary for these non-native speakers.
Through this experience I learned how to design and manipulate spreadsheet data to create meaningful graphs and charts that can be used to communicate findings and share with others to inform them of current trends within the data of our students. Selecting the appropriate data and visual representations for the data to tell the story is crucial in helping others understand what is happening with student achievement. If I were to do this all over again, I would like to also include a breakdown of the data by domain to show specific areas of the content that need to be focused on instead of just the subgroups. I feel this would impact designing and planning of lessons directly.
Data analysis is a crucial element in school improvement. Although annual data can be overlooked by some schools, this data overview takes an in-depth look at the long-term data for the 7th grade science department at Dalton Middle School. This data was shared with the science teachers to impact faculty development and overall, student learning in the future. By working through the data the teachers are able to address specific issues that have appeared in recent years as the test has changed. Science has typically scored higher than state averages within the school, but the most recent year found it falling far below the state. By examining the data, achievement gaps can be addressed and all of this impact will be assessed through comparing the data from next year’s assessment with that of 2015. Hopefully there will be an increase, especially in the areas that are focused on as a result of this Data Overview.
During the spring semester of 2016, I created a Data Overview for the ITEC 7305- Data Analysis and School Improvement course. After spending the semester creating an inventory of data sources for Dalton Middle School and learning about various ways to analyze them using the Using Data Process (UDP) and the Data Wise Improvement Process, this Data Overview was created to begin conversations amongst the seventh grade science faculty around the data. This PowerPoint takes five years of longitudinal data from DMS CRCT science scores and uses a series of graphs and charts to visualize the data and trends over the time period. My contribution for this artifact was collecting the data in spreadsheets and then turning it into graphs and charts then compiling it all in the PowerPoint so it could be shared with others.
For this artifact I was able to model and facilitate for others in my science department the importance of effectively using digital tools and resources to collect and analyze student achievement data. By collecting the annual testing data from the CRCT and GA Milestones assessments for the last five years, I was able to analyze the data and create charts and graphs to help communicate to my colleagues and other stakeholders what it was representing. Using the Data Overview, we were able to sit down together and interpret the results and trends of the data to determine the specific strengths and weaknesses of the seventh grade science department as shown by these annual assessments. From these conversations we were able to identify certain weaknesses and prepare to implement appropriate interventions to improve instructional practice next school year and maximize student learning. For example, we identified that there is an achievement gap with our ELL subgroup population. To address this gap we began discussing intervention strategies that can be used to reinforce the vocabulary for these non-native speakers.
Through this experience I learned how to design and manipulate spreadsheet data to create meaningful graphs and charts that can be used to communicate findings and share with others to inform them of current trends within the data of our students. Selecting the appropriate data and visual representations for the data to tell the story is crucial in helping others understand what is happening with student achievement. If I were to do this all over again, I would like to also include a breakdown of the data by domain to show specific areas of the content that need to be focused on instead of just the subgroups. I feel this would impact designing and planning of lessons directly.
Data analysis is a crucial element in school improvement. Although annual data can be overlooked by some schools, this data overview takes an in-depth look at the long-term data for the 7th grade science department at Dalton Middle School. This data was shared with the science teachers to impact faculty development and overall, student learning in the future. By working through the data the teachers are able to address specific issues that have appeared in recent years as the test has changed. Science has typically scored higher than state averages within the school, but the most recent year found it falling far below the state. By examining the data, achievement gaps can be addressed and all of this impact will be assessed through comparing the data from next year’s assessment with that of 2015. Hopefully there will be an increase, especially in the areas that are focused on as a result of this Data Overview.