UNPACKING DATA-BASED DECISION MAKING


Essentially, in order to improve student success, we teachers must begin with improving our instruction. Using data to understand students’ strengths and needs will enable teams of teachers to create a data-driven culture in their classrooms as well as across their schools and district. When data-based decision making is established and maintained, families and students increase their understanding about student learning, and stakeholders better understand school impact and student achievement. The following video, “What is student data?” depicts the impact of student data on making informed and intentional instructional decisions to maximize student success in learning.


Defining Data-based Decision Making

Data-based decision making…”refers to teachers, principals, and administrators systematically collecting and analyzing various types of data, including input, process and outcome and satisfaction data, to guide a range of decisions to help improve the success of students and schools” (Marsh, Pane, & Hamilton, 2006, p. 3).

Data-Based decision making (DBDM) involves small teams meeting regularly and using an explicit, data-driven structure to:

  • disaggregate data,
  • analyze student performance,
  • set incremental student learning goals,
  • engage in dialogue around explicit and deliberate classroom instruction, and
  • create a plan to monitor instruction and student learning.

Data Teams: The Process

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[content_box title=”Collect and Chart Data” icon=”fa-line-chart” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”#62A7C9″ circlebordercolor=”#62A7C9″ circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”40″ image_height=”40″ link=”” linktarget=”” linktext=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″]Measure current status.[/content_box]

[content_box title=”Analyze and Prioritize” icon=”fa-list-ol” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”#92C83E” circlebordercolor=”#92C83E” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”50″ image_height=”50″ link=”” linktarget=”” linktext=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″]Analyze the gap between desired outcomes and the current status.[/content_box]

[content_box title=”SMART Goals” icon=”fa-lightbulb-o” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”#12436F” circlebordercolor=”#12436F” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”40″ image_height=”40″ link=”” linktarget=”” linktext=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″]Define the indicators to celebrate or provide opportunities for improvement.[/content_box]

[content_box title=”Instructional Decision Making” icon=”fa-book” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”#EB8E4D” circlebordercolor=”#EB8E4D” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”50″ image_height=”50″ link=”” linktarget=”” linktext=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″]Design an intervention and define fidelity and evaluation measures. [/content_box]

[content_box title=”Determine Results Indicators” icon=”fa-tachometer” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”#008287″ circlebordercolor=”#008287″ circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”50″ image_height=”50″ link=”” linktarget=”” linktext=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″]Implement the intervention. Evaluate and decide to either: continue, modify, or conclude the intervention.[/content_box]

[content_box title=”Ongoing Monitoring” icon=”fa-retweet” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”#7F3F98″ circlebordercolor=”#7F3F98″ circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”no” image=”” image_width=”50″ image_height=”50″ link=”” linktarget=”” linktext=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″]Continually assess effectiveness of efforts, make midcourse corrections, and identify next steps.[/content_box] [/content_boxes]


The Big Picture

A data-based decision making “cycle” is a step in a larger process to plan & implement instruction and then monitor implementation fidelity and student outcomes (either academic or behavioral).

dbdm flow chart