CAROL’S SUMMARY:
While more states have better systems for tracking student data, many are not using the data effectively to improve education, according to a survey by the Data Quality Campaign (DQC). Since 2005, the DQC, which promotes and tracks the use of data in education, has been focused on identifying key components of state data systems and pushing for their development. Now that the movement to create data systems has been advanced by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the DQC is shifting its focus to the effective use of that data by districts and schools. This year’s DQC report is the first to outline 10 state actions that should ensure “their longitudinal-data systems can be used to inform decisions and policies to improve student performance.â€
According to the Education Week article below, “In a November survey, DQC reported that 44 states collect data that can identify the schools producing the strongest academic growth for students, up from 21 states in 2005. In addition, 47 states now have the components needed to calculate a longitudinal graduation rate using the method agreed upon in 2005 via a National Governors Association compact.†But the article also states that 43 states have implemented only three or fewer of the 10 state actions specified in the DQC’s report.
Collecting quality data is one of the keys to improving our nation’s educational system and addressing the obstacles students face to learning. This is why all of LifeBound’s programs include pre and post assessments to measure students’ progress with the skills discussed in each book and to show these results for future improvement. If you would like a sample copy of our data assessments on any of the LifeBound books, please call toll free 1.877.737.8510 or send an email to: contact@lifebound.com
ARTICLE:
Education Week
States Said to Lag in Using Data Systems Well
By Dakarai I. Aarons
States have made progress in building data systems that track student performance over time, but are behind the curve in sharing the information in a way that leads to meaningful decisionmaking, according to a national survey released today.
The Data Quality Campaign, a foundation-funded organization in Washington that promotes and tracks the use of data in education, has been focused since 2005 on identifying the key components of state data systems and pushing for their development. Now that much of that work is under way, the group is shifting its focus to describe and promote the use of the data.
“The education sector is on the cusp of becoming an information-based enterprise,†the report says. “But reaching this goal depends on states taking actions that change the historically entrenched culture of using data for compliance reporting into one that values analysis of data and prioritizes constant communication to all stakeholders of the education system.â€
To view this entire article visit www.edweek.org
