Purposes and Principles of Data
Purposes of Data
Data is the collection of information gathered from assessment. Data informs the teacher and other key stakeholders of the students' progress in mastery the learning targets. Teachers can use the valuable information found through data to improve instruction, as data clearly provides evidence showing a teacher what is and what is not working in the classroom. Analysis of data allows for patterns, trends, and facts to be easily spotted and their causes to be discovered. All data should be backed with an Action Plan denoting what should be done when certain data trends arise.
(Adapted from Sailers' lecture Data Intro)
(Adapted from Sailers' lecture Data Intro)
Qualitative and Quantitive Data
Qualitative data is anecdotal data. This form of data is a written description of an overall summary of an assessment, focused more on the "big idea" of the assessment than specific details. It can be more challenging to collect as it is more subjective, but it will provide a brief overview and highlight any theme generalities. This would include a summary by the teacher on the student's performance or other descriptive information.
Quantitative data is numerical data. This form of data is precise and based on number, percentages, or scales. It is much easier to collect and analyze (either for a group or an individual student), as it provides objective data. However, quantitative data may not provide enough information to fully assess with fairness. This data would include a tally or a percentage grade. (Adapted from Sailers' lecture Data Intro) |
Types of Data
Victoria Bernhardt has established four different ways to measure data. Since students' achievement is highly influenced by a variety of factors, it is necessary to analyze the data behind assessment results for each of the four measures of data. These measure overlap and can be used together to better interpret and apply the knowledge gained through data analysis. (Bernhardt, 1998)
Multiple Measures of Data:
Achievement Data
This measure of data is a straightforward view of student achievement. It takes a look at students' scores and level of mastery, clearly showing which students "got it" and which "did not get it". This data is found through a variety of assessments including: Standardized Tests, Criterion-Referenced Assessments, teacher observations, and other formal assessments.
Demographic Data
This measure of data shows trends based on different groups of students. This can be based on similar groups of students including groups of the same gender, native language, grade level, ethnicity, etc. It is vital to understand demographic data, as it supplies useful trends and information based on facts and situations we cannot change, which will guide future teaching and classroom instruction.
Program or Process Data
This measure of data provides evidence for the contribution of a specific program or process to students' learning. Program data will show whether or not a program was beneficial to students' success and gains. It can help to determine if a program aided a student in reaching success.
Perception Data
This measure of data is a collection of teachers', parents', and students' emotional response to an assessment-" how did this assessment make them feel?" or "what did the student perceive about the assessment and the learning environment?". It can also include an observation of the attitude of the students. This form of data can be collected through a survey, questionnaire, or interview with a student.
(Adapted from Sailers' lecture Data Intro), (Bernhardt, 1998)
Multiple Measures of Data:
Achievement Data
This measure of data is a straightforward view of student achievement. It takes a look at students' scores and level of mastery, clearly showing which students "got it" and which "did not get it". This data is found through a variety of assessments including: Standardized Tests, Criterion-Referenced Assessments, teacher observations, and other formal assessments.
- Answers question, "How did students at the school score on a test? "
Demographic Data
This measure of data shows trends based on different groups of students. This can be based on similar groups of students including groups of the same gender, native language, grade level, ethnicity, etc. It is vital to understand demographic data, as it supplies useful trends and information based on facts and situations we cannot change, which will guide future teaching and classroom instruction.
- Answers question, "How many students are enrolled in the school this year?"
Program or Process Data
This measure of data provides evidence for the contribution of a specific program or process to students' learning. Program data will show whether or not a program was beneficial to students' success and gains. It can help to determine if a program aided a student in reaching success.
- Answers question, "What programs are operating in the school this year?"
Perception Data
This measure of data is a collection of teachers', parents', and students' emotional response to an assessment-" how did this assessment make them feel?" or "what did the student perceive about the assessment and the learning environment?". It can also include an observation of the attitude of the students. This form of data can be collected through a survey, questionnaire, or interview with a student.
- Answers question, "How satisfied are parents, students, and/or staff with the learning environment?"
(Adapted from Sailers' lecture Data Intro), (Bernhardt, 1998)