Storytelling is powerful. It paints a picture in your mind, allows you to use your imagination, and creates a narrative with an end goal. The word data leaves a bad taste in the mouths of many educators. We do a lot of data collecting. State tests, universal screeners, probes for intervention, the list just goes on. And yet we know data *could* be helpful.
We need to rethink how we approach data. Data actually tells a story. But that story is untold unless you know how to use it. And you know why you need that particular piece. It doesn’t make sense to use “data” for data’s sake. We need intentionality and purpose for it if we are going to use it at all.
So what does data do? It actually provides information- information that can form insights. Those insights help a teacher (or anyone for that matter) make future decisions in their work. To use data intentionally, we must ask the right questions of it. Just like we ask explicit and implicit questions of what we read, we must do the same for data.
What does a score in this range mean?
Is this data broad or specific?
How can this data apply to skills or standards I am teaching?
How can I use this to group students with varying or similar skill sets?
By knowing what data you actually need to inform your decisions, you can make your own assessments (both formative and summative) to have such purpose that it can also be informative for your students. By placing the data in a student’s hands, you give them control and responsibility of their own growth and progress. To begin this work may be time consuming, but it helps a student see the story of their own success and creates a greater impact and larger gains for the class as a whole. It also provides students with an opportunity to have their voice heard, and show what they can bring to the table when they own it. By taking the time to set this up, you actually free up time later on because of the gaps closed and the connections made quicker by your students.
Use your grades with purpose. Have intention with what and how you collect data.
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