Resource ~ 10 Steps to Improving the Use and Value of Data

Another Great Resource for Culture Building from NASSP

1. Develop a culture that embraces data.
2. Collect data that provide a complete picture of the school’s climate for learning, including school variables that examine teacher-student and peer peer relationships, student and family engagement, school safety, and how the physical environment supports learning.
3. Collect data that determine the present performance level of every student in the core curriculum and determine how students are performing in other areas that could affect their learning or school engagement.
4. Collect student performance data that provide a complete picture of the whole child, including his or her academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and physical development.
5. Convene professional learning communities or data dialogue teams to discuss and solve problems of practice.
6. Have the teams review relevant student performance data and determine a course of action for solving problems that affect student and school performance.
7. Monitor student progress in response to the implementation of interventions and programs addressing those problems.
8. Evaluate intervention and program effectiveness and refine instruction, interventions, and data collection procedures as needed.
9. Engage all school staff members, students, and families in reviewing and using data.
10. Distribute student progress reports on a regular basis (e.g. monthly or quarterly) to all stakeholders to ensure continuity and ownership of student learning.

                                         ~Principal Leadership, January, 2011

Nice article on principal leadership as it relates to data this could also help with your School Culture Assignment!

Here's a couple of simple quotes from the article:

"Data must be communicated in a way that parents and staff members can understand so that the school community can engage in a meaningful conversation that results in collaborative and effective problem solving."

"Principals play an essential role in promoting the effective and efficient use of data for school improvement. Their leadership and priorities set a tone for how data will be used and embraced by teachers, students, and community members."