“Data in a Day…is so good at giving a quick snapshot of what's happening right now in teaching and learning…We had 48 parents, students, and teachers acting as our researchers…it's a scary thing to open up your building and say 'Come on in'…but we can't truly learn together unless we create a shared understanding.”    Pam Brown, Principal    Woodbridge Senior High School    Woodbridge, Virginia

How Data in a Day Works

Preparing: The process begins with selection of a design team to coordinate the work at the school. The design team chooses a 24-hour time for the Data in a Day experience. Students and community members, along with educators from outside the school, are asked to serve as researchers on this day.

Identifying a Theme: The 24-hour day begins with an after-school meeting to identify the key themes that will be examined during the data collection day. These themes are often related to the school's improvement plan or its professional development activities. A school can choose to focus on diverse themes, like school safety or how the faculty is teaching problem solving. This meeting is an important opportunity for staff and student researchers to start their discussion about what promotes or hinders real learning.

Observing: The following morning, adult and student observation pairs informally observe classrooms or other areas of the school as assigned. Each team visits multiple locations to conduct informal observations. Teams record specific examples that illustrate the key themes.

Analyzing: Team members reassemble over lunch to form small analysis groups. Each reads and interprets the notes taken on a specific theme. The groups summarize findings about this theme and report back to all staff at the end of the school day. Students are also invited to come to this debriefing session.

Applying Information: To complete the process, members of the research team write short statements about their findings. The design team reassembles to plan ways to use the data in ongoing reform efforts.