Data Blog

1. What data is currently being collected at your school?

The data being collected at Northfield Elementary includes benchmarking all students three times per year for universal screening (early identification), general education progress monitoring, and AYP accountability. Teachers collect data on student’s independent reading level using Directed Reading Assessment and through the formulation of grades. The building collects data on OAA scores, Terra Nova, and In View scores, quarterly assessments, attendance, office referrals and discipline.

Make a list of the sources of where the data is being stored such as databases, spreadsheets, text files and paper;

·         School “Intranet”

·         Aimsweb database

·         Electronic and paper spreadsheets

·         “Data Analysis Team” forms

·         Testing Works database

·         Student files

·         Progress Book

·         IEP’s

2. Identify the person or persons or the department that manages particular data

Data is managed by the teacher in the classroom, grade levels in the building, principals and office staff in the school, and by the curriculum director and technology department for the district.

3. Are the data sources compatible? Do existing obstacles complicate or prevent correlation analysis of available data?

Not all data sources are compatible in our district. Progress Book is not compatible with Testing works yet Aimsweb is compatible with Testing Works. Inputting data can become repetitive at times because of the lack of total compatibility.

 

 

4. How frequently is important data collected? Is it useless because of infrequency or overly burdensome because it is collected too frequently?

Data is collected almost daily in the classroom. We report the data collected using our district databases. It is not useless because we summarize and evaluate this data during our Data Analysis Team meetings and this data is reported to our District Leadership Team. We are required to submit data for both “Race to the Topic” and for the “Ohio Improvement Process”.  To help with the gathering of data we use student response systems, Google forums, and progress book spreadsheets/charts. There are many tools at our disposal that make evaluating data stress free!

5. What data do YOU actually have access to? Is it the data you need to effectively advance the learning of your students or otherwise do your work? What additional data would help you make more informed decisions?

We have access to all data that will help us with planning instruction, setting up intervention groups, and communicating student progress. There is no additional data that we would need to obtain to be any more effective at our job.

6. What MIS does your school use? How well is this system being used? Is the system robust enough for the needs of your school?

Progress Book – District gradebook package

DASL – Student Records Management System

TestingWerks – Test Score Analysis and data warehouse

They all serve their own purpose and all three are being used extensively at the district.   TestingWerks is the standout in my opinion though because it allows us to analyze the test scores, demographic data, and other information which allows us to make strategic decisions about the curriculum and programs the district uses.