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Using Data for Reform Planning and Action At the recent summer institute for Alliance Schools, participants were encouraged to adopt a process of inquiry into ways to improve student learning in their own settings. The process involves using data to assess current programs, set goals and action plans, monitor results, and revise plans. The following list of resources can help educators interested in using data and inquiry to improve student learning.
Change in Action: Navigating and Investigating the Classroom Using Action Research, The book highlights the reports of 22 real-life, teacher-research projects conducted in the Nebraska schools. The project used How to Conduct Collaborative Action Research by Richard Sagor as a guidebook for the research process. The results reflect many critical issues including assessment, the use Mid-continent Regional Education Laboratory (McREL), 2550 S. Parker Road, Suite 500, Aurora, CO 80014; (303) 337-0990,
Data Analysis for Comprehensive Schoolwide Improvement Targeted at nonstatisticians, this book demonstrates how to gather, analyze, and use information to improve schools. All the examples in this book are based on data collected from real schools at both the elementary and the high school levels. Eye on Education, 6 Depot Way West, Larchmont, NY 10538; (914) 833-0551, Education Watch: The 1996 Education Trust State and National Data Book This data book reports on national and state progress regarding student achievement and attainment by race, ethnicity, and income. Education Watch presents a national overview and argues for a two-pronged campaign to raise the achievement of all students from kindergarten through postsecondary and to accelerate the performance of school and colleges serving low-income and minority students. This data book provides a state-by-state examination of trends in funding, school and course enrollment, teaching, and student achievement and ranks the performance of each state. The Education Trust, 1725 K Street, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006; Education Watch: The Education Trust Community Data Guide This is a companion guide to the Education Trust State and National Data Book and is designed to help local communities pull together important data about their children and schools. The guide emphasizes using data in the conversation among all stakeholders in communities to help close the achievement gap and build stronger schools. The Education Trust, 1725 K Street, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006; How to Conduct Collaborative Action Research by Richard Sagor, 1992. This book describes how teachers can use a collaborative action research process to improve the teaching-learning process and make meaningful contributions to the |
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1250 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 549-9110, fax (703) 299-8631; www.ascd.org/. Improving Student Learning: Applying Deming’s Quality Principles in Classrooms by Lee Jenkins, 1997. Lee Jenkins brings Deming’s theory to educators. He provides a wealth of examples of statistical quality tools that have been successfully applied to K—12 classrooms. This book answers the critical question of how to measure improvement and provides information about what to measure. ASQC Quality Press, Box 3005, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3005; (800) 248-1946; www.asq.org/. Results: The Key to Continuous Improvement by Michael J. Schmoker, 1996. The author examines the conditions and the theory behind successful school improvement. Using examples from schools, he demonstrates that meaningful teamwork, when combined with setting clear, measurable goals and regularly collecting and analyzing performance data, constitutes the foundation for results. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1250 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; (703) 549-9110, Setting Our Sights: Measuring Equity in School Change by Ruth Johnson, 1996. Ruth Johnson invites schools to use data to examine counterproductive and unequal school practices. The book helps educators develop skills for implementing reforms that are focused on creating a culture of high standards and equity. It provides ways of thinking about change in a new light, methods of challenging beliefs and attitudes, and a toolbox full of practical ideas and instruments that can be used to prompt and measure change. The book is designed specifically for the schools most likely to be left behind in "generic" reform efforts, particularly those serving African-American, Latino, Native-American, and low-income students. The Achievement Council, 3460 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 420, Los Angeles, CA 90010; (213) 487-3194, fax (213) 487-0879; The Team Handbook for Educators, How to Use Teams to Improve Quality by Joiner Associates, 1994. Comprehensive and easy to use, this handbook explains how to use project teams to improve quality throughout an educational system. The first chapter provides background on the evolution and nature of the new focus on quality. The second chapter introduces the basic tools and concepts of quality improvement. The remaining five chapters describe a project from inception to closure, including how to select project team participants, run team meetings, use a scientific approach to find root causes of problems, develop and implement a plan for school improvement, and build teamwork. Joiner Associates, 3800 Regent Street, P. O. Box 5445, Madison, WI 53705; Tracking Your School’s Success: A Guide to Sensible Evaluation This guide offers educators the step-by-step procedures and practical guidance needed to conduct sensible assessment and evaluation, record and measure progress, and communicate goals and accomplishments. This comprehensive book instructs the reader on how to configure evaluation strategies sensitive to the unique needs, priorities, and goals of the individual schools, and use evaluation information to aid school planning and improve management decisions. Corwin Press, 2455 Teller Road, Newbury Park, CA 91319; (805) 499-9734, (Vol 3, No. 2, Fall 1998) issue: Not the Same Old Field Trips What Research is Saying About Professional Development Alliance Institute '98 Building a Model for Reform Alliance Welcomes New Schools Access to Resources Informal Science Resources Informal Science Articles Hub Resources and Regional Networks Professional Development Resources |