Monday, January 9, 2012

Do We Know Enough to Do Better?

Questions
In our last Leadership Team meeting, we discussed data. It's a normal topic for our team and we approached it as usual. When we discuss data we always talk about how to make being informed about student progress in a timely manner, relevant and useful for teachers. We talk about the challenges we face sometimes when teachers view the sharing of data as punitive instead of necessary for improving the learning of their students. At one time or another, members of the team have felt like the ‘messenger’ killed by the data they tried to share with colleagues. In these cases I’ve had to resuscitate them, put on bandages of knowledge and send them back out armed with the power to uphold the banner of achievement.

Students First

'Students First' is my educational mantra. It is the compass I use for all decisions. If the decisions we’re making and the actions we’re taking don’t benefit students first, then re-evaluation is a must. Keeping students first is a constant reminder that it is their education, not ours. It is our job to make sure they get a good one because they will build a life upon whatever educational foundation they have.

Maya Angelou Knows Best

During a countless number of shows Oprah quoted Maya Angelou by telling her guests, ‘When you know better, you do better.’ I think of this whenever I’m trying to explain why we’re data driven or better yet, Data-Informed, Not Data –Driven according to Beth Kanter in her September blog post. In the context of education, I do believe that when we know better about student learning and performance, we can ‘do’ better with improving both. The question I believe we have to ask ourselves is ‘Do we know enough to do better?’ The answer to the question directly impacts the education we are committed to providing. The purpose of the question is to drive us to action based on data we should know well.

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2 comments:

  1. But should we spend more time going beyond those data points to get at why people feel like they're being "killed" or punished? Do we believe that teachers (and others) do their jobs with students more effectively when they feel empowered rather than threatened?

    Yes, "data-informed" is a better leadership stance than "data-driven," but maybe those negative reactions that keep coming up are the canary in the coal mine. Instead of trying to "resuscitate" that canary repeatedly, we should deal with what is making it sick so often.

    Gary

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  2. Your questions are aligned with our Leadership Team discussions. We constantly ask ourselves if we know enough about our school culture to 'do better' when sharing data with teachers. Done correctly with both presenting and receiving information - empowerment should occur. Data is a part of 'knowing' and that's not going to change, we share data that moves beyond the standardized tests. We share data that represents the whole child and that seems to ease fears and calm nerves. As a leader it's my job to focus on the condition of the coal mine to make sure all the canaries make a joyful noise! I really appreciate your comments and will include them in our next team meeting!

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