Using Data to Improve Student Learning: Making it Meaningful to Classroom Teachers

In today's educational environment, the effective use of data is essential to the teaching and learning process. Data is not only used to inform instructional decision-making, but it serves as the primary accountability measure at all levels within a school system. In the classroom, within a school building and across an entire district, data is a critical vehicle to assess both student progress and teacher performance. This reference guide is designed for classroom teachers to assist them in making meaning out of all types of data, both standardized and non-standardized. It explores how and when data can be used effectively to improve student learning, as well as how teachers can interpret different forms of data to meet students' diverse needs and assess ongoing progress.