Enhancing Education Outcomes: Evidence-Based Initiatives and Data Systems

1. Evidence Based Initiatives: Using Data Systems to Improve Education Processes and Outcomes Matt Dawson Director, REL Midwest August 2009

2. Overview • View from the Top (Down) • Exploring the Possibilities • Learning Point Associates SEC Projects

3. “Supposing is good, but finding out is better.” (Mark Twain)

4. State Level Efforts • “Getting the Evidence for Evidence-Based Initiatives” • Available at: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/midwest/pdf/REL_2007016.pdf

5. DQC Essential Elements

6. Exemplary Practices • Establishing LDS using unique student ID • Linking data across the system • Developing diagnostics • Using accountability data

7. Challenges and Constraints • Analytic capacity, staff, and resources • Data burden • FERPA

8. Beyond Accountability: An Example where Di = number of FTE teachers needed to meet requirements in a subject area a = proportion of years that the student body is required to take in a given subject xi = average student enrollment in a given school y = class size z = number of periods taught per FTE per day

9. District Level Needs Sensing • Survey of principals and teachers • More time to use data • More training to interpret test scores • More systematic and relevant information • Training on putting what is learned into practice • Training on working with the data being collected

10. District Focus Group Findings • Almost all districts use state assessment data • Few find it useful • Few can link state and district data • Lack of consistency between systems • Few have qualified personnel to make data available and understandable

11. District Focus Group Findings • Interested in tracking academic growth over time • Interested in measuring teacher value-add • Need easy to understand tools and reports • Data should meet the needs of various audiences • Data should be linked to strategies for improvement

12. How is your district different?

13. Questions for Districts (and States) • What is the goal? • How will the goal be reached? • Why is that the way to reach the goal?

14. Reading the Tea Leaves • Secretary Duncan • John Easton • ARRA

15. ARRA

16. ARRA

17. Examples of SEC work by LPA • NY: SEC as part of district audit process • DE: State level project analyzing alignment to standards • OH: Actively working with Ohio for last 5 years • MI: Building capacity for future work • IN: Primarily with districts in corrective action

18. Questions?

19. Matt Dawson P: 630-649-6563 F: 630-649-6700 E-Mail: matt.dawson@learningpt.org 1120 East Diehl Road, Suite 200 Naperville, IL 60563-1486 General Information:800-356-2735