2.

8 Data Analysis
Candidates model and facilitate the effective use of digital tools and resources to systematically collect
and analyze student achievement data, interpret results, communicate findings, and implement appropriate
interventions to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.

Reflection

The Data Overview was created to identify my schools strengths, weaknesses, and achievement gaps
based on CRCT data. I collected local, district, and state data and explained the meaningful comparisons
between them. I used Excel to create easy to understand graphs to analyze, interpret, and communicate
my findings in a presentation geared toward my schools staff. This data could be used to develop an
action plan to implement positive change in the school. I completed this project independently.
Standard 2.8, Data Analysis, establishes the expectations for candidates model and facilitate the effective
use of digital tools and resources to systematically collect and analyze student achievement data,
interpret results, communicate findings, and implement appropriate interventions to improve
instructional practice and maximize student learning. This artifact demonstrates my mastery of this
standard through my extensive collection of data from state, district and school sources. In this artifact, I
provide an analysis and I clearly interpret the data for the staff at my school. For example, I graph the
five year trends in each content area of grade four. This graphs shows where the school has been
continually improving and losing ground, and I discuss the inconsistencies in Science, Social Studies, and
Math. Using Excel, a digital tool, I organized the data using line and bar graphs to tell a cohesive story to
most effectively communicate my findings. Now that this Data Overview has identified my schools
strengths, weaknesses, and achievement gaps, it can now be used to implement appropriate
interventions as grade level teams and the building as a whole.

Completing this Data Overview improved my data analysis skills using Excel and online digital tools for
data collection, specifically, I improved my knowledge in using the Governors Office of Student
Achievement (GOSA). I learned not only how to make basic graphs that best communicate data, but
how to better analyze and interpret the results of the graphs.
In the future, I would like to analyze student data from additional sources. I am curious to see if other
sources, such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, shows the same strengths, weaknesses, and achievement
gaps. I would use this additional data to create a more comprehensive school profile, to better identify
and address the needs of the school.
The work that went into creating this artifact will impact school improvement. The school administration
analyzes school wide data, but I dug down even deeper into fourth grade data. As a member of this team
in the fall, I look forward to communicating my analysis and interpretation of the data. We will use
this information to develop and implement specific interventions to meet our students needs and
improve student achievement.