# Presentation: 366725

## Online Data Analysis at the School Building Level

- Meeting Local Needs
*Donald D. Peasley, **Program Information and Improvement Specialist*
*Joan Sotherden, Director*
*Mohawk Regional Information Center*

## Goals for Today

- Define Who Wants the Data Analysis
- Define What they need from the Data
- Assessing Existing Data
- Assessing Important Questions
- Identify the Planning Needed for the Collection, Organization, Analysis, Interpretation, and Utilization of Data at the Local Level
- Define Cultural Considerations

## Data Based Decision Making . ..

## Data, Data Analysis and Technology . . .

- “When you work with technology, you’re really working with people, their social attitudes, their superstitions, and their rules”
- Jorg Haake, German National Research Center for Information Technology

## Why Base Decisions on the Data?

- Mandated Accountability
- Need for Documented Growth and Improvement of Learning Outcomes
- Market Forces
- Increased Expectations of Clientele
- Opportunities Afforded by Technology

## Who Needs Data Analysis at the Local Level?

- Primary Audience:
- Principals
- Superintendents, Central Office Admin.
- Secondary Audience:
- Department Chairs
- Teachers
- School Boards
- State Education Department

## What is the Client Need that Drives Data Analysis Requests?

- Federal Reporting
- State Reporting
- Regional Accountability—Comparisons
- Local Instructional Improvement Decisions
- Self Preservation!!!

## Planning and Assessing Needs for A Locally Based Data Analysis System 

- What’s the big picture?

## Planning and Assessing Needs for a Locally Based Data Analysis System

- What are your primary questions?
- Example—Is retention related to race or gender?
- What is the grade distribution broken down by race, gender?
- What is the attendance rate broken down by race, gender?

## What is the grade distribution broken down by race, gender?Attempt One

## Question 2:  What is the relationship of course grades to state exit exams?—Attempt One

## Question 3:  What is the Effect of Attendance on Achievement?  Attempt One

## Do you know how you measure the answers to your questions?

- What will the report look like?

## General Considerations in any Data Analysis Project

- What are the “business rules” for the organization?
- (what are the important questions????)
- Where is the data now?
- (what format is the data in?)
- (what “shape” is the data in?)
- What constitutes “valid” data?
- (when you deem the data to be “good”?)
- How often should the data be updated?
- (what is the “refresh” cycle?)
- Who gets to use the data
- (what are the security policies?)

## A Gateway to Performance Data

## Attempt Two—Preformatted Answers to Primary Questions

## Attempt Two, Cont.

## Attempt Two, Cont.

## Attempt Two, Cont.

## Attempt Two, Cont.

## Planning for a Data Analysis System 

- Are you _sure_ that you are getting the most out of your existing student management system?
- Do _you_ know how to use your student management system?
- What data exists in a system now?
- What reports _do_ you use now?
- What reports _could_ you use now?
- Who is going to enter this data?
- Who is going to verify and maintain this data?
- Who is going to use this data?
- Are you sure you are not duplicating efforts?
- It only looks easy

## Delivering and Supporting A Data Analysis System

- Student, Financial, Personnel System(s) Report Functionality
- OLAP Access to Key Performance Indicators
- The Data Storage Shed....
- Ad-Hoc Analysis Capability***
- Training on Access
- Training on Interpretation
- Training on Data Management
- Regional collaboration
- Statewide collaboration

## Hints for Success

- Involve Teachers as Leaders and Planners
- Start Somewhere
- Promise Low, Deliver High
- It’s OK to Say “I don’t know”
- Get Help (and pay for it) when you need it
- “I’m from BOCES and I’m here to help”
- Involve Teachers as Leaders and Planners

## Top Ten Data Analysis Tools

- Ad-Hoc Procedures
- Spreadsheets--The Duct Tape of Data Analysts
- Frequency Distributions
- Average, Median, Standard Deviation
- Bar Charts (see frequency distributions)
- 6 thru 10. Crosstabs tables and 2 and 3 Way Bar Charts

## Try our site...cognos.moric.org—log on as guestContact:  dpeasley@mohawk.moric.orgjsotherd@mohawk.moric.org

- Thank You!!!!