SLLA Data-Informed Decision Making 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which question represents a SMART goal appropriately grounded in data?
- We will improve student achievement.
- All teachers will use more formative assessments next year.
- We will increase the percentage of 3rd graders reading on grade level from 58% to 70% by May 2027. (Correct answer)
- We will close the achievement gap by working harder as a team.
Correct answer: We will increase the percentage of 3rd graders reading on grade level from 58% to 70% by May 2027.
A SMART goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound — the third option meets all these criteria.
Question 2: A school's average ACT composite score rose from 19.2 to 19.8 over two years. Before celebrating, a data-savvy leader should FIRST ask:
- Did the demographic composition of test-takers change over those two years? (Correct answer)
- How much did the ACT preparation course cost?
- Which teachers are responsible for the improvement?
- Whether the state changed its testing schedule
Correct answer: Did the demographic composition of test-takers change over those two years?
Changes in who takes the test (e.g., fewer lower-scoring students testing) can produce score gains that don't reflect real instructional improvement.
Question 3: Which data visualization type is BEST suited for showing the distribution of student scores and identifying outliers?
- Pie chart
- Bar graph
- Box-and-whisker plot (Correct answer)
- Line graph
Correct answer: Box-and-whisker plot
A box-and-whisker plot displays the median, quartiles, and outliers simultaneously, making score distribution and outliers immediately visible.
Question 4: In a professional learning community (PLC), the MOST productive data question to ask about student work is:
- Which students didn't complete the assignment?
- What does the student work tell us about what students understand and where they are still confused? (Correct answer)
- How does our class average compare to the other team's class average?
- Who are the lowest-performing students we need to refer for special education?
Correct answer: What does the student work tell us about what students understand and where they are still confused?
Analyzing student work for evidence of understanding and misconceptions drives instructional decision-making in a PLC.
Question 5: A state's standardized assessment uses a scaled score rather than a raw score. The PRIMARY advantage of a scaled score is that it:
- Is easier for parents to understand
- Allows valid comparisons across different test forms and years (Correct answer)
- Eliminates measurement error entirely
- Reflects the percentage of questions answered correctly
Correct answer: Allows valid comparisons across different test forms and years
Scaled scores equate different test forms to a common scale, enabling fair comparisons across testing years and versions.
Question 6: A leader receives early warning data showing a cohort of 6th graders with multiple risk indicators (low attendance, failing grades, multiple discipline incidents). The data-informed response is to:
- Wait until end-of-year data confirms the pattern before acting
- Immediately implement a tiered intervention and assign a student support team (Correct answer)
- Share the list with the superintendent and await guidance
- Focus resources on 8th graders preparing for high school transition
Correct answer: Immediately implement a tiered intervention and assign a student support team
Early warning systems are designed to trigger proactive intervention before students reach crisis; timely action is the intended response.
Question 7: A principal wants to ensure that student data is used ethically. Which practice is MOST important to establish?
- Posting class-level performance data publicly to motivate competition
- Publishing individual student names alongside their assessment scores in newsletters
- Establishing clear data privacy protocols and limiting access to those with a legitimate need (Correct answer)
- Sharing all data with all staff members to maximize transparency
Correct answer: Establishing clear data privacy protocols and limiting access to those with a legitimate need
Ethical data use requires protecting student privacy through role-based access controls and clear protocols aligned with FERPA.
SLLA Data-Informed Decision Making 4
Which question represents a SMART goal appropriately grounded in data?