Dean T. T. Spaulding & Gail M. M. Smith 
What Does Your School Data Team Sound Like? [PDF ebook] 
A Framework to Improve the Conversation Around Data

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. Changing the Lens With the Data Analysis Team (DAT)
Is Data the New Four-Letter Word?
Changing the Lens for How We View Data
Where Did All This Data Come From?
Okay, Let’s Change the Lens!
Summary
2. What Should Your Data Team Look Like?
Mixed Versus Nonmixed Data Teams
Goals of the Data Team
What Are the Roles and Responsibilities of Each Team Member?
How Will Meetings Be Facilitated?
Preparation, the Key to Success
Activities
Summary
3. Getting Over the Fear of Data
Fear of Data
What Is a Data Set?
What Is a Database?
Archival Data
Setting Up a Database
Entering Data Correctly in a Cell
Levels of Data
Assessment Data
Levels of Accountability
Activities
Summary
4. How to Know What Works
What Works, Anyway?
What Are Improvement Cycles?
How Do Researchers Determine What Works?
Pre-Post One Group Design
Summary
5. Following the Steps in the Exploratory and Confirmatory Cycles
Exploratory Cycle
Confirmatory Cycle
Summary
6. More Ways to Examine Data
Using Different Variables to Sort Data
Graphing Data
Types of Graphs
Activity
Summary
7. Collecting Formative Data
The Role of Formative Data in the Confirmatory Cycle
Using Classroom Observations as Formative Data
Reliability of Observational Data
Tips for Conducting Observations
Using Surveys as Formative Data
Piloting the Survey
Collecting Survey Data in School Settings
Activity
Summary
8. Adding Parents to Your DAT
Include Parents, Rather Than Exclude Them
Parent Validity
Activities
Summary
9. Continuing the Conversation Surrounding Student Data
Looking at Individual Items
Adding Other Variables to the Conversation
Looking at District Level Data
Summary
10. Scaling Up Data
When to Expand to Other Locations
A Model for Scaling Up: Patterns in the Data
Using Capacity to Scale Up
Summary
Epilogue
References
Index

Gail Smith, a native of Brooklyn New York, received her BA and MS at State University College at Oneonta, NY. She received her masters’ in education administration at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Her thirty-six year career at an upstate New York urban school district included positions as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent of schools. In 1988, Gail was one of five finalists for New York State Teacher of the Year. After retiring, Ms. Smith worked for two years as an administrator at two different schools on Native American reservations in Arizona and New Mexico. She returned to her home district in July 2008 to work as a consultant and mentor for their Instructional Leadership/Instructional Coaches project. She also is the proud mother of three children.