District Administration - May 2006 - (Page 12)

WEB CHAT Listening In t a nt here. Creating all this capacity n a recent Web seminar about Data-Driven Decision I but then only putting it in the hands Making, three experts in the field Douglas Reeves, of the datameister is never going get ownership at the teacher level. CEO and founder of the Center for Performance Assessment; Stephen C. Jones, superintendent of Norfolk How have you found the time and training for teachers to Va. Public Schools; and Howard Woodard, the chief learn about data analysis? information officer for the Georgia Department of Educa- Stephen Jones: Well, that's a rela- tively easy question. I mean time is tion answered your questions on this topic. Here's a the one variable that for some reason sample of what was covered. To view the entire presen- we try to hold it constant when we talk about student performance but tation, visit www.districtadministration.com/webinars. for the adults in terms of staff develop- ment and professional development, we try to be as flexible as we can. And get together as a team to analyze What sort of data does we obviously have not been able to the assessments and the results of Nor folk gather on a monthly spend all of the money that we would the assessments to determine the basis and what are the like in professional development. strengths and the weaknesses of sources of this data? Stephen Jones: We've aligned But we've recognized, and our the students. Board of Education has recognized, the our curriculum in such a way that it importance of this and that's one of the reflects the standards associated with There is debate about reasons we're utilizing the services of the assessment component here in whether teachers should be Dr. Reeves and his colleagues. We're Virginia. So with that alignment, those able to run their own reports very, very liberal in how we allow our quarterly assessments are designed to or if that task better falls to teachers and administrators to attend replicate what those state assessments a data manager. Is there a professional conferences that are tied are discerning on the part of students black-and-white answer? Stephen Jones: I think with the to these kinds of pedagogical questions when they take those assessments. that we're talking about. I was just For example, we try to have those type of training that we've given our reminded that we have early release monthly assessments resemble the principals and then the training that days that are built into our calendar for standardized tests and format as well our teachers have received, and the professional and staff development. So as complexity of the questions. We fact that the technology allows for an we find that this is a real investment try to build those distracters that are immediate turnaround, it should not that pays tremendous dividends. associated with the tests so that they're be a laborious process for teachers. close to the answers because we know It's a matter of getting the data and What should educators that those test-taking strategies have to then being able to sit and analyze the be telling their boards in be incorporated into the assessments. data in a disaggregated fashion. Doug Reeves: I really believe that public about data-driven The monthly assessments are most decision making? effective when teachers are able to Dr. Jones is on to something impor- 12 May 2006 District Administration webinar.w.indd 12 4/14/06 11:06:10 AM http://www.districtadministration.com/webinars

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - May 2006

Contents
Editor's Letter
Listening In
Update
Inside the Law
Curriculum Update
Administrator Profile
District Profile
Sports & Civics
Q&A: Lessons for Tomorrow
Cover Story: Special Ed's Greatest Challenges and Solutions
Dome Sweet Dome
Smart Design
Rotten Apples
The Online Edge
Speaking Out
Principal Opinion
Public Opinion
Problem/Solution
Leadership Books
Laptop Roundup
New Products
By the Numbers

District Administration - May 2006