A Multi-Site Case Study: Acculturating Middle Schools to Use Data-Driven Instruction for Improved Student Achievement

In the modern era of high-stakes accountability, test data have become much more than a simple comparison (Schmoker, 2006; Payne & Miller, 2009). The information provided in modern data reports has become an invaluable tool to drive instruction in classrooms. However, there is a lack of good training for educators to evaluate data and translate findings into solid practices that can improve student learning (Blair, 2006; Dynarski, 2008; Light, Wexler, & Heinze, 2005; Payne & Miller, 2009). Some schools are good at collecting data, but often fall short at what to do next. It is the role of the principal to serve as an instructional leader and guide teachers to the answer the reoccurring question of "now what?" The purpose of this study was to investigate ways in which principals build successful data-driven instructional systems within their schools using a qualitative multi-site case study method. This research utilized a triangulation approach with structured interviews, on-site visits, and document reviews from various middle school supervisors, principals, and teachers. The findings are presented in four common themes and patterns identified as essential components administrators used to implement data-driven instructional systems to improve student achievement. The themes are 1) administrators must clearly define the vision and set the expectation of using data to improve student achievement, 2) administrators must take an active role in the data-driven process, 3) data must be easily accessible to stakeholders, and 4) stakeholders must devote time on a regular basis to the data-driven process. The four themes led to the conclusion of ten common steps administrators can use to acculturate their school or school division with the data-driven instruction process.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Department dc:contributor.department

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• James, Rebecca C.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Creighton, Theodore B.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Craig, James Richard
• Meade, LaDonna
• Tripp, Norman Wayne

• Aggregating and Disaggregating Data
• Use of Data in Schools
• Data-driven Instruction
• School Improvement
• Collaboration
• Data-driven Decision Making
• Data-Based Decision making in Schools

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-12142010-100120

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/30100