Printed from: http://nwrcc.educationnorthwest.org/category/nwrcc/data-systems
The U.S. Department of Education's new ED Data Express website is designed to improve the public's ability to access and explore high-value, state-level education data collected by the U.S. Department of Education. The site currently includes data from EDFacts, Consolidated State Performance Reports (CSPR), State Accountability Workbooks, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), the College Board, and the Department's Budget Service office.
The Data Quality Campaign recently released a brief explaining why building statewide longitudinal data systems is a high priority in states, where state systems currently stand, the political landscape, the possibilities and obstacles related to linking student and teacher data, and the role of states in building the capacity of educators to use data.
The U.S. Department of Education recently published the results of a study examining the characteristics of data systems and their use at the classroom level. More specifically, it looked at what types of student data systems were available to school staff, how school staff were using the systems and other forms of student data, teachers' understanding of data displays and data interpretation issues, and the supports and challenges for school-level use of student data in planning and implementing instruction.
The Data Quality Campaign (DQC) released its first report on the 10 state actions to ensure the effective use of longitudinal data, including details on how states are changing policies and practices to promote linkages across systems, ensuring appropriate access to new data and analysis, and strengthening stakeholder capacity to use this information.
The Oregon Department of Education is working towards building the capacity of educational leaders to support schools and districts in using data to inform decision making. To support this goal, ODE, NWRCC, and TERC collaborated on a seminar designed to prepare data facilitators.
The What Works Clearinghouse at the U.S. Department of Education has released a guide offering five recommendations to help educators effectively use data to monitor students’ academic progress and evaluate instructional practices. The guide recommends that schools set a clear vision for schoolwide data use, develop a data-driven culture, and make data part of an ongoing cycle of instructional improvement. The guide also recommends teaching students how to use their own data to set learning goals.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (2006). Madison, WI: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
The rubrics contained in Characteristics of Successful Districts are a part of a larger guide to help Wisconsin districts build on their unique strengths. Further, these rubrics are tools for school districts to gain a fuller understanding of their needs.
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, Policy and Program Studies Service. (2006). Washington, D.C.