Using DataDirector as an effective tool for communicating and collecting information

1. Using DataDirector as an effective tool for communicating and collecting information John Burke

2. Setting the Stage • SFUSD is in the 3rd year of implementing DataDirector. • The district has a long history of using data to inform instruction. • The Assessment Office is responsible for all training and maintenance. • We provide almost all of our own training and phone support for our users. • We have quarterly Common Assessments for grades 2-10. • We have Standards-based Report Cards for grades 2-5.

3. In addition, we use DataDirector in some non-routine ways… • The SFUSD Assessment Office is able to use DataDirector as an effective tool for communicating up to the minute data for school sites to act on, to push out specific sets of information to schools, and to survey schools to collect information for us to act on. • Communication to sites about who to test and completion status • Example: Managing CELDT Testing using a Shared Report • Communication to sites about district initiatives • Example: Early Warning System for At Risk Students • Communication from sites requesting pre‐ID’ed assessment materials • Example: Brigance Screen II student data sheet request using an “Assessment” • Surveying sites for information using reports, programs and assessments • Example: STAR Parent Education Level

4. What? – A custom report based on non-routine data upload • New students arriving at a school site • Up to the minute information about who needs to be assessed • Primary language for contacting parents • Updated nightly to include most current test and enrollment status • Why? – To eliminate guess work and research for sites • CELDT happens at the beginning of the year when enrollment is still in flux • It is not self-evident on who needs to be tested • Some students are tested at our enrollment center

5. What? – A custom report based on non-routine data upload • Incoming Grade 9 Students • Identified as being “At Risk” based on a research partnership • Specific risk factors are identified • Previous school is included • Why? – To provide sites with relevant data to take action • Sites are able to address these students needs from day one • Identified students can be tracked over time • All users are able to support these students

6. Pre-id’ed Order Form made by creating an “assessment” • What? – A custom “assessment” • Sites are able to order pre-id’ed forms for local assessments • New students arriving at a school site • Student name and id are included • Why? – To eliminate paper and save time • Enrollment is still in flux • Original forms may be damaged or lost • Eliminates errors and/or need to look-up student id number

7. What? – A custom report based specific characteristics • Students with Unknown Parent Education levels • Includes contact information • Includes Primary language • Why? – Sites are being asked to reach out to parents • Parent education level is a factor in calculating similar school ranking • Parent education level can change over time • Attempt to lower the number choosing “decline to state”

8. What? – A Program linked directly to an “assessment” • Students with Unknown Parent Education levels • Access to a specific group to take action • Preparing to enter data collected from parents • Why? – Easy way to enter data for a specific group • Parent education level is a factor in calculating similar school ranking • Parent education level can change over time • Attempt to lower the number choosing “decline to state”

9. What? – A “assessment” linked to a Program • Students with Unknown Parent Education levels • Access to a specific group to take action • Preparing to enter data collected from parents • Translations of Parent Letter are available • Why? – Easy way to enter data for a specific group • Parent education level is a factor in calculating similar school ranking • Parent education level can change over time • Attempt to lower the number choosing “decline to state”

10. Summary • SFUSD uses DataDirector for many routine uses. • DataDirector has some unique upload, grouping and sharing abilities that make it very agile at communicating up to the minute data to support sites and/or the district. • The Assessment Office tries to identify non-routine data sources for making our work with sites easier or to provide unique information to act on. • We try to train sites and other district offices to “communicate” in similar ways.