July 2005 — SETDA

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Testing the Limits of One-Stop Data Access

By Patricia Renzulli

So if a benchmark test is delivered on Friday, instructional changes can be in place by Monday. This is as close to real-time assessment and adaptation as many educators have seen. Teachers can now discuss student performance almost immediately, while the information and experience is still fresh in the students’ minds. They can also organize their classes according to remediation needs, and create differentiated learning programs that raise all students up—not just those with the greatest need. Other significant features of Philadelphia’s IMS (phila.schoolnet.com/outreach) include:

Meaningful analytics. The administrator dashboard is a district-wide data analysis and reporting tool that gives Philadelphia school administrators the power to drill down to get the most meaningful analytics (by student group, school, or individual student), using a variety of filters that provide deeper and more insightful data views. The result is the power to identify strengths and weaknesses in student performance midstream, so administrators can act decisively to make curriculum modifications, target supplemental services and special programs, and apply professional development programs where they are needed most.

“The IMS effectively eliminates the lag time in existing standardized test and response cycles from entire school semesters to hours, if not minutes.”

Individualized instruction. The teacher dashboard is the core tool for access to standards-based curriculum and instructional resources. It allows teachers to view differentiated student performance data and to plan individualized instruction, including academic standards, pacing calendars, lesson plans, and curriculum materials. So, for the first time, teachers can view up-to-date student performance data, as well as determine which students need remediation and which would benefit from more advanced instruction. They can also draw upon online curriculum resources to address specific needs.

Item analysis. Benchmark testing is provided by The Princeton Review and Kaplan. Here, item analysis allows teachers to identify where groups of students, even individual students, are falling behind. The item analysis also helps determine the efficacy of questions as well as the institutional needs for professional development or curriculum enhancement.

Parent access. Within Philadelphia’s IMS is a Web-based communication and collaboration tool that will give students and families access to student information and individualized instructional resources. Parent access to their child’s information will begin this fall with the goal of increased parental involvement and an even stronger community inside our schools.

Sky’s the Limit for Instructional Support Tool

Staff/faculty training. Providing the appropriate professional development to teachers, principals, and administrators was a key factor in the successful rollout and adoption of the IMS. Principal teams from all schools and several central office administrators received two days of training during the 2004-2005 school year. One day was spent learning how to navigate the system and retrieve reports, the second discovering how to analyze and make decisions based upon the data presented.