Data Driven
An Occasional Series
Across the United States, educators are beginning to recognize the power of data to improve public education. By knitting together the thousands of data elements now collected by schools, districts, and states into a centralized repository, educators can look for patterns that could help enhance both the management and productivity of schools. This occasional series looks at the push for data-based decisionmaking in education, and what it will take to make it a reality. (Continuing.)
Assessment
User-Friendly Reports On Student Test Scores Help Guide Instruction
Pennsylvania officials were expected this week to unveil the designs for new reports on student and school test performance that are customized to meet the needs of parents, teachers, and school leaders, as well as provide a direct link to instruction.
Classroom Technology
Researchers Sort Out Data-Analysis Software
Schools districts can choose from a dizzying array of software products to analyze student-achievement data. Now, three researchers have published a paper to help them make an educated choice.
Education
Education Scholars Finding New 'Value' In Student Test Data
Schools across the country are starting to make use of "value-added" data analyses. Rather than simply rank schools on raw test scores, such analyses focus on the progress by individual students over time.
Education
Schools Discovering Riches in Data
By knitting together the thousands of data elements now collected by districts and states into a centralized computer bank, educators can look for patterns that could help improve both the management and productivity of schools.