How Important is Data? Using Data to Help Improve Student Success

Formative assessments are a useful tool in any class. Whether they are tickets-out-the-door, warm-up reflections, even a simple open hand, two fingers, fist approach (hold at your chest tight so others don't see). These are used to quickly assess student learning and understanding. In my classroom I use one-minute check-in's with every student, this gets them asking questions, sharing ideas, and I get to see depth of knowledge and comprehension,

I also love as a mentor, cheerleader, trainer to step back and simply watch. Students are the stars of the classroom, practicing their lines, reading their scripts, even finding their spots on the stage. They sometimes have the spotlight on them or they may be extras or behind the scenes. But they all have a purpose, know they are a part of the class community and feel safe to either sit in the audience or shout their ideas to the rafters. Yes, my classroom is very much a theater,

Some of my students are set designers, my artists, writers, script writers and even directors, or they are the actors, chorus, and stage hands. But they all together create the community of our theater. How do I know if they are successful? If they have hidden themselves behind the set and fallen behind or may be at the microphone but really have not learned their lines? I observe, I take notes, I collect data by watching, listening, and correlating the information into useful data.

Projects, PBL's, labs, activities such as debates, makerspace creations even raps and songs are all great formative assessments where students have a choice in how they demonstrate their knowledge. When students are in control of their learning experiences they are more willing to come center stage and less likely to hang out in the wings. How do you get students to feel comfortable to take the lead? Give them ample opportunities to share ideas, collaborate, and yes be center stage, be the star if that is what they want. The more students talk to one another, listen to one another, praise or critique one another, the more they feel apart of a safe community.

Data can be formative or summative. Summative is necessary to help drive a curriculum forward, to make sure the standards are covered, students are mastering the state or national content, and to help address school objectives. But they are only a snap shot. True data comes from formative assessments to help students see their strengths and weaknesses, and help teachers see where their lessons need to go to achieve student success. Data comes in many forms but informal data are the most important because students learn at different rates, lessons vary and success levels of students vary based on the rigor and challenge of these activities. Long term data is crucial to understanding every student and their long term growth.