School Data Rooms Bring Data Out of the Drawers and Into the Open

School administrators are skilled at capturing data, but too often they end up storing it, literally. Accountability and assessment initiatives are making schools have to get data out of drawers and out into the open. Some schools are going one step further by creating school data rooms in which teachers can access student data in an organized and easily accessible manner.

At Gilliard Elementary School in Mobile, Alabama, color-coded sticky notes are found on the walls of a space known as „the data room.” The notes show teachers where their students are on math and reading standards, as well as discipline and attendance records.

The aim is to help teachers understand and address students’ needs before they get out of hand. For instance, if the student isn’t meeting his or her reading goal the teacher might offer extra time in class or help the student outside of school. If a child is experiencing issues with behavior the teacher may refer them for counseling or even consider pulling that student from the classroom completely.

Moreover, by putting the data front and center teachers can also be able to celebrate achievements with their students – a crucial element of Baker’s program. In the spring of 2011, a homeless student was proud to announce that he had reached his reading goal.

Make sure you follow FERPA guidelines and safeguard your students’ privacy prior to making the transition to a data room. This is especially important for classroom data displays that includes sensitive information, such as counseling sessions or disciplinary actions can be accidentally shared.

find out here