Three-strand organization of a district research and evaluation department: Instructional Support, Data Analysis, and Data Management¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 design), q1 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The report recommends that the Department of Research and Evaluation be "organized around three major strands with three corresponding sub-units: Instructional Support, Data Analysis, and Data Management." Instructional Support works through Area Instructional Officers to help school staff use data to improve instruction; Data Analysis supports the accountability program, internal program evaluation, and an annual research agenda; Data Management supports system-wide testing, data requests, and a data warehouse. Staff in all three areas should be "conversant with the work of the other two areas," each led by an Assistant Director with expertise in the area.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Each unit led by an Assistant Director with expertise in the area; new staff added commensurate with new responsibilities

Constraints¶

• The report was written for one district (CPS) and anticipates that a student assessment task force may later change assessment recommendations

Target Learners¶

• District central office staff, principals, teachers, and Area Instructional Officers

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Improved instruction and student performance through informed, research- and information-based decision-making

Claims¶

• Cps Lacks Capacity To Use Data For Improvement [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Three-part framework for effective data use: system development, a coherent use plan, and support for use

Examples¶

• Support school data use through intermediary instructional officers rather than directly
• Data warehouse linking student and teacher data to support instructional improvement
• Lead an annual district research agenda and coordinate outside researchers to maximize usefulness of research

Key Sources¶

• Laurence Stanton and John Q. Easton. (2002). Research and Evaluation in the Chicago Public Schools: A Plan for the Future. Consortium on Chicago School Research. https://consortium.uchicago.edu/publications/research-and-evaluation-chicago-public-schools-plan-future