I gained many valuable pieces of information in the Data Analysis and Student Improvement class. I think that the biggest "takeaway" for me is the entire data process. Being a 5th grade teacher, I have a limited scope of what our school is doing or gathering, data-wise. However, now I understand the enormity of the initiatives and data collection used in schools, especially mine. While we have begun to use data in a more effective way, I can easily say that there are still holes to fill. Using data to guide instruction is a necessity in today's schools and will continue to be in the future.
The most valuable field experience in this course was the Instructional Initiatives Inventory. I think that this is the most effective way of keeping track of what is happening in the school. With the inventory, you are able to see what initiative is in play, how long it has been used, how diligently its been used, and how effective it is or was. Many schools have a tendency to "jump" on the newest trend in education without fully initiating a strategy and sticking with it to monitor results properly.
While I may not be in a leadership position now, I can still use this particular experience in my classroom. Teachers have difficulties keeping up with RTI, and this is a great solution. I can list the interventions, when they started, how long, how often, etc.
One of the challenges that I may face myself is remembering to keep up with my inventory. The same would be true when beginning a data inventory, instructional initiatives inventory, or any other form of checking past attempts. This could be viewed as just "one more thing" to do. However in the long run, knowing what you've tried and what works is the ultimate goal.
The most valuable field experience in this course was the Instructional Initiatives Inventory. I think that this is the most effective way of keeping track of what is happening in the school. With the inventory, you are able to see what initiative is in play, how long it has been used, how diligently its been used, and how effective it is or was. Many schools have a tendency to "jump" on the newest trend in education without fully initiating a strategy and sticking with it to monitor results properly.
While I may not be in a leadership position now, I can still use this particular experience in my classroom. Teachers have difficulties keeping up with RTI, and this is a great solution. I can list the interventions, when they started, how long, how often, etc.
One of the challenges that I may face myself is remembering to keep up with my inventory. The same would be true when beginning a data inventory, instructional initiatives inventory, or any other form of checking past attempts. This could be viewed as just "one more thing" to do. However in the long run, knowing what you've tried and what works is the ultimate goal.