‘In an evidence-driven era, gathering comprehensive data will enable schools to meet their academic goals and to engage in a holistic approach to education.’
—Avis Glaze, President
Edu-Quest International Inc., Valhalla, NY
‘The challenges facing educators today are immense and the pressure to ′perform′ is clearly evident. This book provides a fresh and compelling argument to look far beyond test score performance when measuring success in our schools.’
—Kurt Suhr, Principal
Newport Heights Elementary School, Newport Beach, CA
A comprehensive guide to data-driven school improvement
Schools aren′t one dimensional. Your decision making shouldn′t be either. If you want to look beyond student test scores to identify the specific areas that need improvement in your school, you will find practical tools for assessing multiple areas with confidence here. The authors detail a step-by-step framework for identifying, collecting, analyzing, and using data as a basis for driving school improvement in the right direction. Based on more than 40 years of research, this seven-dimensional model will help enhance your school′s curriculum, community, climate, and character by applying data to these key processes:
- Assessing student achievement
- Modifying instruction based on data findings
- Improving school performance
- Retaining effective teachers
The result is a holistic and accurate instrument for making the changes needed to improve student learning. Included are assessment tools, process charts, graphic organizers, rubrics, tables, numerous examples, and background research.
Table of Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction: A New Lens by Michael W. Corrigan
I. Assessment
1. The Paradoxes, Oxymorons, and Myths of Education
2. The Seven Dimensions to Guiding Systemic Data-Driven Thinking
3. Connecting the Data Dots to Achievement
II. Improvement
4. The 4Cs Framework for Shared Leadership and Planning
5. The C of Curriculum
6. The C of Community
7. The C of Climate
8. The C of Character
III. Achievement
9. Gearing Up for Systemic Success
10. Rising Above the Standards
Appendix
References
Index
About the author
Dr. Philip Fitch Vincent, known to many as the voice of character education, and to others as the Poor Dr. Phil, brings more than 25 successful years of experience as an educator and an administrator to his consulting, grant project management, presentations, workshops, and many books. Dr. Vincent received his Master’s degree in education from Appalachian State University in 1979 and his doctor of education degree in curriculum and instruction from North Carolina State University in 1991. Dr. Vincent has taught grades K-12 as well as being a site and central office administrator. Dr. Vincent has done more than a thousand presentations and keynotes related to character education and moral development in more than 40 states and Canada. In November of 2007 he received the Sandy Mc Donald Award for Lifetime Achievement in the field of character education from the Character Education Partnership in Washington, DC. Phil was also given the Canadian Achievement Award in Character Education for his work in Ontario.