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?