Northwest Regional Comprehensive Center
NWRCC Events
Data Driven Decision Making: Developing Data Facilitators
A Training of Trainers Seminar
August 3-4, 2006 in Eugene, Oregon
Goal
The Oregon Department of Education is working towards building the capacity of educational leaders to support schools and districts in using data to inform decision making. To support this goal, ODE, the Northwest Regional Comprehensive Center, and TERC are collaborating on a seminar designed to prepare data facilitators.
Research Based Program
The Using Data Facilitator Seminar was developed by TERC with a grant from the National Science Foundation and evaluated by independent researchers. Using Data has been field-tested across the country in high-poverty, diverse urban and rural school districts. Over two and one-half years of implementation, the program has documented gains in mathematics and science achievement and narrowing of achievement gaps between economic and racial groups, as well as increased collaboration, data use, and instructional improvement.
Focus
The purpose of the Using Data Facilitator Seminar is to build the capacity of educational leaders, known as data facilitators, to lead a process of collaborative inquiry with school-based data teams and to influence the culture of schools to be one in which data are used continuously, collaboratively and effectively to improve teaching and learning. Through this process, data facilitators will gain essential skills and knowledge in three areas:
- Data literacy - understand, accurately interpret, and respond appropriately to multiple data sources, including formative and summative student learning assessments, student work, and quantitative and qualitative data related to programs, practices, and policies.
- Facilitation - facilitate data-driven dialogue and lead data teams through short cycles of planning, implementing, and monitoring instructional improvement.
- Leadership for sustainability - communicate vision, build broad support, and establish systems to sustain a culture of continuous improvement.
Audience
The Seminar is recommended for experienced leaders who can learn the process, apply it in their own diverse contexts, and ultimately train others to use data to improve teaching and learning. Priority will be given to participants who serve Title I schools and districts, schools and districts that are designated In Need of Improvement status, and can attend in regional teams. Participants may include:
- Educational Service District Staff
- District Level Staff
- School Building Leaders
- Experienced Professional Developers
- Instructional Coaches
- Teacher Leaders
- Data Specialists
Participant Responsibilities
It is expected that all participants will be able to fulfill the following responsibilities:
- Attend the two-day Seminar, August 3-4, 2006 in Eugene, Oregon
- Engage in the Using Data process with their regional data team during the 2006-2007 school year.
- Attend the two-day fall seminar, November 2-3, 2006 in Salem, Oregon.
- Attend the two-day winter seminar, February 1-2, 2007 in Portland, Oregon.
- Attend the one-day spring planning to develop strategies to train others in the Using Data process, May 4, 2007 in Bend, Oregon.
- Become a Using Data Facilitator that can guide others through the Using Data process.