ELEMENTARY DISTRICT - Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data
Theme: Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data
System level: District
Practice: Use data to support educational decisions fostering district quality.
What does this practice look like in Arkansas?
District provides training for teachers on how to interpret data, and allows teachers to disaggregate and analyze their own data. Training is provided for teachers, so that teachers can learn how to use data effectively to inform instruction. While the district may perform some disaggregation of data, the majority of data analysis is done by the teachers with support provided by the district.
Virtually every educational decision is data-driven, from selecting curriculum materials to determining interventions. Educational decisions within the district are data-driven. Curriculuar materials, professional development, student and teacher interventions, and district policies are all influenced by data results. Student performance is closely monitored by the district, so that quality decisions can be made for each individual student.
Teacher evaluation and principal evaluation policies are strictly followed. Whether formal or informal, policies exist for teacher and principal evaluations, and they are strictly followed. Documentation is kept for all evaluations.
The superintendent of the district makes visits to classrooms a priority. The superintendent of the district regularly visits classrooms. While the superintendent may not visit every teacher every year, he or she is a distinct presence in the schools. Other district personnel, such as the assistant superintendent or curriculum coordinator, may also visit classrooms on a regular basis.
District personnel are constantly networking with other districts to determine best practices. The district establishes a network with other districts to assist in determining best practices. This may include obtaining research grants with other districts, on-site visits to districts that are experiencing success, or sharing personnel.
Documents related to practice:
The Conway School District uses detailed report cards to help teachers and parents track student mastery of content. Students are rated on proficiency using the same terminology as the state examination.
Examples:
In the Little Rock School District, teachers go through a pre-conference before each classroom observation. The pre-conference and the classroom observation are based on the four Pathwise domains. Each teacher creates a professional growth plan which is also based on the Pathwise domains.
Examples:
The Rogers School District report card is aligned with the state standards. Each standard is broken down into learning expectations, which are then rated by the teacher on two levels: 1) is the student demonstrating proficiency, and 2) is the student making satisfactory progress.
Examples: