Data-Driven Decision Making Flashcards

A principal wants to identify students at risk of not meeting grade-level benchmarks early in the year. Which type of assessment is MOST useful?

Answer: Universal screening assessment

Universal screenings are administered to all students early in the year to quickly identify those who need additional support before they fall further behind.

Which data source best helps a principal evaluate whether instructional strategies are equitably effective across student subgroups?

Answer: Disaggregated achievement data by subgroup

Disaggregating data by subgroup (race, income, disability status, etc.) reveals gaps that are hidden in overall averages, enabling equity-focused interventions.

A principal reviews data showing high chronic absenteeism rates among 9th graders. What should be the principal's FIRST step?

Answer: Investigate root causes by analyzing attendance patterns and talking to students and families

Effective data-driven leadership requires understanding the root causes behind a data trend before selecting an intervention strategy.

Which statistical measure tells a principal how much student scores vary around the average?

Answer: Standard deviation

Standard deviation measures the spread of scores around the mean, indicating whether student performance is clustered tightly or widely distributed.

A principal uses benchmark assessment data to adjust instructional pacing mid-year. This practice is BEST described as:

Answer: Formative use of data to inform instruction

Using interim or benchmark data to make real-time instructional adjustments is the defining characteristic of formative data use.

Which data inquiry protocol is commonly used by school leadership teams to collaboratively analyze student work and assessment results?

Answer: Data Wise Improvement Process

The Data Wise Improvement Process provides a structured, collaborative protocol for examining data and translating findings into instructional improvements.