The Data-Driven Classroom: How do I use student data to improve my instruction? (ASCD Arias)

Thanks to initiatives like the Common Core and Race to the Top, accountability requirements continue to be a reality for educators. Yet many are still unsure of how to use data to make well-informed instructional decisions.

The Data-Driven Classroom comes to the rescue with a systematic, universal process that shows teachers how to

* Examine student assessment results to identify a curricular or skill area to target for individual intervention or large-group instructional revision.

* Develop, implement, and assess the effectiveness of the intervention or revision.

* Develop an action plan for future instructional cycles.

Author Craig A. Mertler sheds light on how teachers can make sense of overwhelming standardized test reports while avoiding pitfalls like over-interpreting data. In these pages you will also find practical classroom examples and templates designed to guide teachers of all grade levels and subject areas through the comprehensive decision-making framework.

Dr. Craig A. Mertler has been an educator for 29 years--18 of those in higher education and 6 as an administrator--having begun his career as a high school science teacher. He has taught courses focused on the application of action research to promote educator empowerment, school improvement, and job-embedded professional development, and also teaches research methods, statistical analyses, and educational assessment methods. He has served as the research methodology expert on more than 100 doctoral dissertations and Masters theses. He is the author of 20 books, four invited book chapters, and 18 refereed journal articles. He has presented more than 35 research papers at professional meetings. He has consulted with numerous schools and districts on the broad topic of classroom assessment, data-driven decision making, and classroom-based action research. He currently operates an educational consulting firm and can be reached at craig.mertler@gmail.com. More about Dr. Mertler and his areas of consulting expertise can be found at www.craigmertler.com/mec.