In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, data-driven instruction has become a cornerstone for educators striving to enhance student success. The utilization of student data is no longer optional; it's imperative. This blog explores the critical role of data literacy in schools, how understanding student data can bridge instructional gaps, and ultimately, why it's a catalyst for student achievement and teacher professional development. The Foundation: Data-Driven Instruction Data-driven instruction, as the term suggests, is an educational approach that places data at the center of decision-making. It involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting various types of student data to inform instructional practices and interventions. This approach is based on the belief that informed decisions lead to better learning outcomes. The Power of Student Data Student data encompasses a wide range of information, from standardized test scores and attendance records to behavior logs and formative assessments. When utilized effectively, this data offers valuable insights into individual student performance, learning styles, and progress over time. Personalized Learning: Tailoring Education to Individual Needs One of the most significant advantages of data-driven instruction is its ability to support personalized learning. By analyzing student data, educators can identify each student's strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to tailor instruction to meet individual needs. This personalized approach has the potential to unlock each student's full potential. Bridging Instructional Gaps Understanding student data is like shining a light on instructional gaps. It reveals where students may be struggling and where additional support is needed. With this information in hand, educators can develop targeted interventions and resources to bridge these gaps effectively. Measuring Learning Gains Data-driven instruction doesn't stop at identifying gaps; it also plays a vital role in measuring learning gains. By regularly assessing student progress and adjusting instruction accordingly, educators can track improvements over time. This feedback loop is instrumental in fostering continuous growth among students. Enhancing Teacher Effectiveness Data literacy is not limited to students; it also impacts teacher effectiveness significantly. Educators armed with the skills to analyze and interpret data can make more informed decisions about their instructional practices. This includes choosing the right teaching strategies, materials, and resources to address specific learning needs. A Catalyst for Professional Development Data literacy goes hand in hand with professional development for educators. Schools that prioritize data-driven instruction often provide training and resources to help teachers enhance their data analysis skills. These opportunities for growth lead to more effective teaching and greater job satisfaction. The Connection to Student Success Now, let's delve into how data literacy directly correlates with student success: 1. Early Intervention: When educators identify struggling students early using data, they can provide timely interventions, preventing learning setbacks and boosting overall success rates. 2. Goal Setting: Data allows students and teachers to set achievable goals. When students see their progress and work toward specific objectives, motivation and engagement increase. 3. Informed Decision-Making: Data-driven instruction helps educators make data-backed decisions on curriculum adjustments, instructional strategies, and resource allocation, all of which impact student achievement. 4. Parental Engagement: Sharing student data with parents can facilitate productive discussions about their child's progress, fostering a collaborative environment that supports student success. 5. Accountability: Data also holds everyone accountable – students, teachers, and administrators. It ensures that all stakeholders are actively engaged in the pursuit of student achievement. The Future of Education In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, data literacy is not just a valuable skill; it's a necessity. Schools that prioritize data-driven instruction are better equipped to meet the diverse needs of their students, empower teachers, and achieve higher levels of student success. As we move forward, embracing data literacy will undoubtedly be a pathway to brighter educational outcomes for all. It's not just about numbers; it's about shaping the future of our students. In conclusion, data literacy is not just a buzzword; it's a transformational force in education. Understanding student data, leveraging it to inform instruction, and bridging instructional gaps are pivotal to enhancing teacher effectiveness and, most importantly, fostering student success. As we continue to navigate the ever-changing educational landscape, data literacy will remain at the heart of our journey toward creating a brighter future for students and educators alike.

When we are called in to support teachers in their classroom, whether with one student in particular or with universal behavioral strategies – we often hear: “It just happens randomly.” Or “I can’t figure out why they are bolting from the classroom.” “All of a sudden they are just screaming at another student.” As consultants, we have the luxury of showing up and simply watching. Watching for behavioral clues that something is brewing. Noticing a lack of attendance is linked to inability to complete independent work, and big behaviors when embarrassment or frustration sets in. As a teacher in a classroom of over 25 students, working to stay on track with a lesson, check in with and differentiate for many students, organize presentation materials, groups, and assessments… catching subtle behavioral precursor clues is just not always possible. We know the student behavior is not random, although it sometimes feels that way. Understanding the clues can help you uncover the meaning, the why, or the function of the behavior. And once we know that – we have a better chance of meeting a child’s needs so they no longer need those challenging behaviors. In this post, we share some insight on how to help understand the real needs of the class clown. The Class Clown We have all seen it time and again - there is a student who draws attention to themselves through the use of humor (whether appropriate or not). Everyone laughs, instruction is derailed - and quite often the child has the social skills to look to the teacher and apologize directly. "I am so sorry, Ms. J, I just couldn't help it... I'll stop now." It is not necessarily news that perhaps the behavior that draws attention is only partially motivated by a desire for attention. And despite the child's profuse apologies, it continues to happen. Clues to look for in understanding what might be going on for this student include: When does this 'clowning' behavior happen? During the review of the material? During the introduction of new material? After they have returned from a pull-out service and you are in the middle of teaching a lesson? Who is present? Which of the kids around them conflicts with them? Who just answered a question correctly that they got wrong? Who are they interested in or angry with? What happened just before? Did they get an answer wrong? Did they just receive a correction or redirection of some kind? Did they receive social rejection through a look or comment? Did they just transition to a non-preferred or challenging task? What did you do after the interruption? Did you ask them to leave your class? Did you focus on their behavior before moving through your instruction? Did you speak to them privately or in public? Taking some time to reflect on these elements of the situation can help you understand some of the antecedents to the behavior as well as what might be maintaining the behavior (what happens after). Keep notes for a few days, and see what pattern emerges that you may not have noticed. As a common example, that often goes overlooked: Imagine the student is struggling in reading (context), and it is time for the class to do popcorn read aloud (antecedent - transition to non-preferred task). The student engages in mockery of the book, story, character, or a classmate who is reading (challenging behavior: interruption, unkindness to classmate...). The class erupts in laughter (attention as a consequence), reading is halted, and as the teacher you recognize behaviors that are unkind and interrupting, and you send the student to the office (escape from an aversive task as a consequence). As a one-off situation, if it never happens again - nothing to change. If it continues to happen, and a pattern emerges, then we can begin to uncover that while attention is a component of the reinforcement for the behavior - escaping the reading, and avoiding the embarrassment and perhaps shame of not being a fluent reader may be more of a motivator than the attention. The antecedent strategy to support this student might be extra time to practice reading aloud before the class reading time. Or changing the reading activity in class. Or using the read-aloud time to schedule their tier 2 or 3 reading intervention. Consequent strategies might include - extra points or class reinforcement for maintaining alternative and appropriate behaviors. Or allowing escape from reading aloud, contingent on engaging in the alternative and appropriate behaviors, with a private read-aloud session with the teacher later in the day if an assessment is needed. While the above example is simplistic, it illustrates the components that might be important variables to understand before trying to change the behavior. If we only looked at the apparent 'need for attention', we might miss an opportunity to support our learner's skill deficits and reduce problem behavior at the same time. Taking a little time to examine a situation more closely, being curious about our initial impressions (is that the whole story?), and engaging with compassion can be worth the effort tenfold.

The achievement gap is a persistent problem in K-12 education, where students from historically marginalized groups often lag behind their peers in academic achievement. Closing this gap requires a multi-faceted approach, but one essential element is a focus on data literacy and professional development (PD) for educators. Data literacy is the ability to read, interpret, and use data to inform decision-making. In the context of education, this means that educators need to be able to analyze student data, such as test scores and attendance records, in order to identify areas of strength and weakness and tailor instruction accordingly. Data can also be used to track progress over time and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. However, many educators lack the necessary data literacy skills. According to a survey by the Data Quality Campaign, only 36% of teachers feel very well prepared to use data to improve instruction. This lack of preparation can lead to a number of problems. For example, educators may be unable to identify struggling students early on, which can lead to these students falling further behind. Conversely, educators may not recognize high-performing students who could benefit from more advanced instruction. In addition, educators may be unsure how to use data to inform instructional decisions. They may be overwhelmed by the amount of data available, or they may not know how to analyze it effectively. Without the ability to make sense of data, educators may not be able to use it to drive improvement in their classrooms. This is where professional development comes in. By providing educators with training on data literacy, schools, and districts can help to close the achievement gap. Effective professional development should focus not only on the technical skills of data analysis but also on how to use data to inform instructional decisions. This might include strategies for using data to differentiate instruction, identifying struggling students early on, and tracking progress over time. There are a number of best practices for effective professional development in data literacy. First, it should be ongoing and embedded into regular practice. Rather than a one-time training, educators should receive regular support and coaching on data literacy skills. This might include regular meetings with data coaches or opportunities to collaborate with colleagues on data analysis. Second, professional development should be tailored to the needs of individual educators. Different teachers will have different levels of expertise and comfort with data analysis, so professional development should be differentiated to meet their needs. For example, some teachers may need more support with basic data analysis skills, while others may be ready to delve into more advanced techniques. Finally, professional development should be aligned with the broader goals of the school or district. Educators should understand how data literacy fits into the overall improvement plan, and how their work with data can help to close the achievement gap. This can help to build buy-in and ensure that educators are motivated to engage with data. Closing the achievement gap requires a focus on equity and a commitment to meeting the needs of all students. Data literacy and professional development can be powerful tools for achieving these goals. By providing educators with the skills and support they need to use data effectively, schools and districts can ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. At EdPower, we understand the importance of data-driven decision-making in education. That's why we've developed EdInsights, a powerful data solution for schools. With EdInsights, educators can easily access and analyze student data, track progress over time, and make informed decisions about instruction. The difference with EdInsights is the dashboards are customized to your needs offering correlations not seen on the market today. If you're interested in learning more about how EdInsights can help your school close the achievement gap, we encourage you to contact us today. Let's work together to empower educators and improve student outcomes. References: Data Quality Campaign. (2018). Time to Act 2017: Putting Data in the Hands of Educators.

EdPower partners with companies that align with our passion to provide high-quality products with first-class service to enhance student and teacher achievement! Let us show you how! EdPower Partners with Prometric to Revolutionize K-12 Education Solutions We are excited to announce that EdPower has been acquired by Prometric®, a globally recognized leader in testing and assessment solutions. This partnership brings together our innovative K-12 solutions with Prometric’s extensive experience in assessment as well as their advanced AI capabilities. Together, we will bring powerful solutions to support continuous student learning and growth. Learn More Discover the power of our platforms and how they can help enhance your K-12 solutions and impact student outcomes! EdAssess Streamlined Assessment Adminstration EdFolio Manage PD and Micro Credentialing EdHub 360 Degree Student Data Hub EdInsights Powerful Analytics EdPower's Partner Network Impact We are delighted to team up with education experts from across the country to help schools and districts create solutions that optimize current practices so that every student can have an engaging, purposeful and successful future. Check out how we are leveraging support from our partnerships to ensure that all students have access to quality education. More Partners EdPower Advantage The EdPower Advantage Partner with EdPower and Achieve Unmatched Growth Cost-effective Partner Enablement Impact your student achievement gains without the burden of extensive development costs. Our scalable solutions allow you to expand your offerings and reach new benchmarks efficiently. Innovative and Scalable Solutions Stay ahead of the curve with our cutting-edge solutions. Our commitment to innovation ensures that you have access to the latest advancements in education technology. Trust and Expertise Count on our extensive experience and expertise in serving school districts across the nation. We have a proven track record of delivering exceptional results and building long-lasting partnerships. Partner with EdPower today and experience the benefits of our comprehensive solutions. Explore Partnership Opportunities TESTIMONIALS "Partnering with EdPower has allowed the Elam Leadership Institute to provide schools with real time equity data dashboards reflecting their exact needs and requests. It has been a real game changer for education.” Donna Elam, Elam Leadership Institute

Prometric expands its K-12 education footprint with the acquisition of EdPower, combining advanced AI assessment technologies with innovative educational solutions to enhance student improvement and personalized learning strategies. Press Release Prometric Announces Acquisition of EdPower Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Collaboration expands Prometric’s core business and grows its footprint in the K12 Education sector. BALTIMORE, MD – July 9, 2024 – Prometric®, a global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment solutions, today announced the completion of its acquisition of EdPower, a leading provider of cloud-based solutions for the K-12 market. This strategic acquisition combines Prometric’s advanced AI Item Generation and Cataloging capabilities with EdPower’s insight and analysis solutions, creating an unprecedented combination of innovation and technology to serve the K-12 education sector. “At Prometric, we pride ourselves on delivering fair, accessible, and authentic assessments, ensuring all candidates have an equitable experience,” said Stuart Udell, CEO of Prometric. “We’re excited about this collaboration, not only because it expands our footprint in the K-12 market, but also because it will enable us to help younger generations develop the skills needed for the jobs of the future.” The acquisition will provide education leaders with a suite of products that support continuous student improvement through cycles of evaluation and gap analysis—all driven by advanced artificial intelligence. Prometric will integrate EdPower’s product suite into its own suite of solutions to create more personalized strategies designed to maximize student gains. “Our partnership represents an incredible opportunity to merge Prometric’s expertise in assessment technology with EdPower’s unique approach to evolving K-12 education solutions,” said Joe Wallace, CEO of EdPower. “No one understands skills development and training better than Prometric. Together, we have the chance to transform primary and secondary education and ensure every student has access to a high-quality education.” EdPower offers several key solutions designed for the K-12 education market. These include a customizable assessment platform, an instructional management tool, a data visualization platform, and a continuing education tool for teachers. EdPower's tools will significantly aid Prometric in streamlining educational processes, enhancing professional development, and driving personalized pathways to growth and achievement for both teachers and students. Prometric also acquired Finetune , a leading innovator in AI-assisted assessment and learning technology, in 2022. ### About Prometric LLC Prometric is a leading provider of technology-enabled testing and assessment solutions. Our integrated, end-to-end solutions provide exam development, management, and distribution that set the industry standard in quality, security, and service excellence. Today, we are paving the industry’s path forward with new solutions and innovation to ensure reliable access to secure assessments anytime, anywhere in over 180 countries. For more information, visit Prometric or follow us on Twitter at @PrometricGlobal and www.linkedin.com/company/prometric/ . About EdPower EdPower is a leading provider of educational solutions dedicated to transforming teaching and learning experiences. Through cutting-edge technology and innovative platforms, EdPower empowers educators, administrators, and students to achieve their full potential. Learn more at www.myedpower.com . Media Contact Meg Roe Prometric 610.256.0271 Meg.Roe@prometric.com

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