Data Driven Roadmap for School Leaders

Being a data-driven school leader is a must.  Using data consistently, ensures the rigor of instruction is being implemented.  What is rigor?  My definition of rigor is… students reaching success with consistent high standards.  These standards are appropriately challenging…not too hard…not too easy.   

Successful data driven instruction depends on 4 key areas- a vision for success, measurable goals, data is analyzed, and responding to the needs of the students.

VISION FOR SUCCESS
School principals must provide a clear vision as to how instruction should be addressed. If the teachers don’t know your direction, they are wondering down an unknown path.

  Examples of what we can do: 

• Instruction is regularly discussed.
• Professional development is aligned to the campus needs.
• Instructional strategies are being discussed, developed and implemented campus-wide.
• A Systematic Plan is in place. The plan addresses the campus vision, goals, data analysis and response to intervention.

MEASURABLE GOALS
Are the goals understood and consistently mentioned over the school year? Do your teachers know what the goals are this year? Our goals should be focused on our critical needs of the students within the school.

Examples of what we can do: 

• Goals are posted and discussed regularly at faculty meetings and displayed in our data rooms.
• Our goals address our most critical needs.
• Our goals specifically indicate who is responsible and how it will be achieved.
• Data rooms are being created.
• Staff can explain our goals, as well as, share our steps to meeting them.
• Students are involved in charting their data.  Parents are informed of their progress. 

DATA ANALYZED
Do teachers know which students are struggling and why they are struggling?  Analyzing and interrupting data on a regular basis guarantees progress toward student achievement.  When a principal looks at data, we are not just looking at an individual teacher but the overall progress of the campus.  How did each teacher do in regards to their subject, grade level and student groups?  How did the entire grade level perform?  After you locate the overall information, look deeper into each state standard.  Align instruction and assessments to your data.  Reteach. Reassess. Monitor progress of each student. 

Examples of what we can do:

• Provide charts to teachers and help them interpret the data.
• Provide instructional materials to address the needs of the students.
• Provide assessment calendars and schedule data review meetings.
• Do teachers know how to run their own data reports?
• Do teachers know the passing standards for each subject area being assessed?

RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION
Implementing the best programs for students in need is critical. Intervention services should not be taken lightly. Our strongest teachers should be serving our most critical students.

Examples of what we can do:

• Set up a tutoring schedule (before, during, after school)
• Monitor the selection of students receiving intervention and/or tutoring services.
• Oversee the intervention curriculum to ensure it is meeting the goals of the students.

Could you use a little extra help with running effective data meetings?  This may help.