Standards+Question+7


 * Read the Case Study regarding Data-Driven on page 17 of the NSDC Standards text handed out in class. In your PLC discuss Discussion Questions 1-3. Have a record keeper in your group synthesize your group's responses to these questions. If your group needed more information, describe what you need to know and how you would go about discovering this information.**

1. What are the various forms of data that are available in your school or district to assist with professional development and instructional decision making? Are some forms more useful than others? The most commonly used forms of data are test results. Some examples of testing from our schools include benchmarks, both county created and individualized by the teacher, CRCT, Stanford 10, and ITBS. These test results are used to determine areas of weakness to determine what professional development will be implemented in the following school year. Other forms of data would include portfolios, writing folders, and through observations. Data collected from administration on school issues helps determine what professional development is needed.

2. What are benefits and potential costs of disaggregating data in the way suggested by the standard? Breaking down the data into component parts that are relevant based on subject matter and then further breaking it down into perceived areas of student weakness allows professional develop to fill the gaps in student achievement. The potential cost of this strategy would be the possibility of missing the big picture problems.

3. What strengths and weaknesses do educators in your school or district have with regard to using data in the way recommended by the standard? In one particular school, one strength is using a combination of data to plan the professional development that is needed. The relevancy of this development positively impacts the motivation of teachers. At the same time, the data is not evaluated closely enough to develop effective professional learning that increases student achievement.