For many teachers, converting traditional scoring and grading practices to this approach is intimidating. You must "start slow to go fast" in these cases. By providing coaching, mentoring and a simple tool or two you can begin to create a groundswell of enthusiasm and success that you can build on.
Make sure to begin with data you already collect. Don't overwhelm your staff by asking them to collect data they don't currently have. In most cases, they already collect the necessary data, they just need guidance in how to organize, display and analyze the data to make instructional decisions.
Work to find a team to work with. While you most likely have individuals doing work of this type, having a team to provide support and a place to openly discuss the data is a great way to encourage the type of cooperation and teamwork necessary to impact student results.
Encourage open sharing of results. Expect and give permission to share data that isn't so wonderful. Oftentimes, it is trend data that doesn't yield the expected results that helps a staff move off center and begin to aggressively search out more effective strategies and approaches.
A wide variety of Excel data tools are available courtesy of The Office of Planning & Development, Grant Wood Area Education Agency, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Your local Area Education Agency is a great place to start. Inquire about how they can assist you in the collection and analysis of data.
For more information on sampling and data collection, visit Dr. Lee Jenkins' web site. Dr. Jenkins is a nationally known consultant on classroom and organizational data collection and analysis. This site provides further information as well as a software program to help teachers with their data collection.
Corson & Pickering. A Teacher’s Guidebook to Improving Instruction. Available for purchase from Grant Wood Area Education Agency. Contact: cpotter@aea10.k12.ia.us to inquire and order.
The Office of Planning & Development at Grant Wood AEA is available at no charge to organizations within the Grant Wood Area Education Agency to help with this work and to organizations outside the Grant Wood service area as consultant. Contact them at: tpick@winningprograms.com.
