Five Steps to Data Action
Below are 5 key steps to the ultimate goal of what people mean when they talk about "using data." If it helps, remember these procedures through the acronym "CARPA."
Collection
- What software systems will we use to collect data?
- If we're collecting data by hand, what templates are we using?
- Will we use the same system for each kind of data?
- If we're using different systems, how will we merge them?
- Do we have a template for our master database?
Analysis
- Who will have access to the different databases?
- What questions do we want to know about our school?
- Do we have the data to answer our questions-- if not, how will we collect it?
- When we observe the database, do any questions arise?
- Do we have the technical skills to analyze the way we want to-- if not, how can we get them?
- Who will be the primary data analyst(s)?
Presentation & Reflection
- How are we going to slice up the database for presentation?
- What visualization tools will we use for the presentation effort?
- Who are we presenting to and what data is appropriate for them to see?
- How are we presentating data for teachers to use in their classrooms?
- What opportunities are there in our day to reflect on data individually and as group(s)?
Action
- What protocols do we have in place to plan action steps from our reflections?
- Who will be responsible for each part of our action plan?
- How will we hold everyone accountable for their action plan?
- How will our action plans differ for teachers and school or district administrators?
- How do we know if our actions are working-- what data will we collect to re-start the cycle?