What Do Teachers Need to Know About Data?

 The question is "What do teachers need to know about data?"

Schools administer many tests and create many school reports. The administrators think this practice will help improve student performance and increase accountability test scores. This practice does not improve student performance. It is an "after the fact" activity that by the time the results are presented, the instructional train has departed the station and is now heading for the next destination. So, the question is What do teachers need to know about these tests and assessments for instruction?

Understanding Assessments

• Content validity
• Reliability
• Item analysis
• Error analysis
• Score interpretation
• Predictive value of the assessment

 Curriculum Analysis

• Intended versus enacted curriculum
• Test item weighting alignment
• Pacing guides 

Informal Assessment

• Curriculum-based assessment
• Daily direct data collection
• Reporting performance information to students

Do Teachers Need Data Skills?

 Over the past 5 years, I have trained administrators at the district and school level to understand and use student performance data (assessment  and test scores) to improve district and school performance. What i have experienced is that the information I provide to the administrators RARELY trickles down to the school lead teachers and the classroom teachers. 

Also, I have had conversations with these administrators about what professional development the district provides on the topic of data use for teachers. Unfortunately, there is very little school districts do to help teachers understand and use data and assessment strategies to improve student learning and performance. 

This blog is dedicated to the mission of informing teachers directly about how to understand and use data to make a significant positive impact on student learning. 

Welcome to my Blog,

Lewis R. Johnson, Ed.D.

  Retired Director of Accountability, Testing and Research

  Retired professor of assessment and special education

  CEO of Data Smart LLC

     Data-Smart.net