Syllabus

Master of Science in Education

EDU 726 Telling your School’s Story through Data Analysis (Summer 2020)

Credits - 3

Description

This course will focus on the use of data to create inclusive environments for all students. Participants in this course will apply the components of the Continuous School Improvement Framework (Plan-Implement-Evaluate-Improve). Participants will use data readily available in their classroom, school, or district. Several protocols for analysis will be used. Themes will include using data to support a shared vision and using data to examine school core values.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

1. Upon completing this course, students will be able to apply the components of the “Continuous School Improvement Framework” (Plan-Implement-Evaluate-Improve) within the inclusive environment.
2. Students will apply a structured process to delve deeply into multiple sources of data to analyze the intersections and make informed decisions regarding teaching and learning.
3. Students will use the problem-solving cycle to make informed decisions regarding teaching and learning.
4. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to use protocols to lead a school site through an analysis of current teaching and learning status.
5. Students will evaluate the relationship between the data available and the core values of an organization.
6. Students will create a proposed vision and a plan for continuous improvement for inclusive education.
7. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to facilitate a school-wide collaborative process of analyzing data to create a shared vision and implement a plan for continuous school improvement.

Assignments

Weekly Discussions

This course has required weekly discussions. The discussion topics are related to weekly topics and provide an opportunity for students to share ideas about how the content applies to professional practice. Your instructor will participate in the discussions as both a guide and an observer.

Week 1 Essential Question and Continuous School Improvement Framework Written Response

Please write a brief (1-2 pages) response to the following questions:

1. Your reading this week has provided you with an overview of the Continuous School Improvement Framework. Based upon your initial impressions, how do you hope implementing the Continuous School Improvement cycle might change your school’s use of data to improve teaching and learning? Use evidence from the text and your own experiences to support your response.
2. What essential question relating to inclusive education are you considering as a starting point for your data analysis process? What are some of the reasons you have selected this question?

Week 2 Reflection on Self-assessment

Please write a 2-3 page reflection response based on the following instructions:

1. Carefully examine the STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Continuous Improvement Continuum. Using the rubric, rate your school’s Approach, Implementation, and Outcome for Student Achievement.
2. Carefully examine a second continuum of your choice, and determine your school’s rating for each element on the rubric.
3. For each continuum ranked, please respond to the following prompts
   1. Briefly describe your school’s ranking on each of the three continuum categories (Approach, Implementation, Outcome). Explain the basis for your choice (if you have specific data points to refer to, this is helpful. You need not go into depth at this time)
   2. If your school faculty were to follow the Process Protocol, do you think you would reach consensus? In other words, do you think a majority of the stakeholders would agree with your assessment? If not, do you have any ideas for how to overcome differences of opinion in order to reach consensus? Please explain your response.

Week 3 School Data Collection: Template and Analysis

Carefully review the instructions on each of the attached templates; copy the files to your Drive or download them to your computer as Word documents. You will submit both templates at the end of this week.

• Use the Data Collection Tool to collect and organize data. Please note items printed in bold on the template are required, make a copy of the template or download it as Word document to your computer:
  1. Gather demographic data
  2. Create and administer a perceptual questionnaire (results will be analyzed in Week 4)
  3. Gather one piece of student learning data
  4. Create a list of school programs and processes in place to support students within an inclusive setting
• Use the Modified Program/Process Evaluation Tool to reflect on two programs/processes currently in place in your school.

Week 4 School Data Profile

You will create a modified school Data Profile. Using the demographic, perceptual, student learning and school program/process information gathered in week three, you will make determinations regarding the strengths and weaknesses of inclusive education in your school.

Step One: Follow the procedure outlined in the Modified Data Profile.

Step Two: Upon completion of the template, please answer the following questions for reflection in a 2-3 page paper.

Of the implications you identified in your Data Profile, which 1-3:

• have the greatest impact on teaching and learning in inclusive education in your school, and
  connect most closely to the Essential Question you identified in Week One?
• Explain the significance of these implications. Why are they important for improving teaching and learning in your school? Cite specific examples.
• Based on these implications, what do you think your school needs in order to improve inclusive education? Cite specific examples.

Week 5 Needs Assessment and Vision Statement

Once you have finished, please submit both parts of this week’s assignment: your Needs Assessment and your Vision Statement Template.

PART ONE: Needs Assessment Using the Modified Problem Solving Cycle for Data Analysis

This assignment will assist you in honing the focus for your Continuous School Improvement Plan.

Please follow the instructions included within the Modified Problem Solving Cycle for Data Analysis Template.

The process you will follow enables you to:

1. Identify the “problem” or focus area for your Continuous School Improvement Plan. 
2. List any hunches or hypothesis about why the problem exists.
3. Identify questions and data
4. Analyze multiple measures

PART TWO: Vision Statement for Inclusive Education

Please follow the steps outlined in the Modified Vision Statement for Inclusive Education Template. The process invites you to complete the following three steps:

1. Determine your core values and beliefs 
2. Consider the core purpose of your school
3. Clearly articulate your vision for inclusive education in your school.

Week 6 Continuous School Improvement Action Plan for Inclusive Education

This week, you will create a Continuous School Improvement Plan by following Steps 2-12 of the 16-step plan.

1. Follow Steps 2-4 as described in the template
2. Step 5 asks you to set a school-wide goal that will “drive action to the purpose and vision of the school” (p. 133)
3. Step 6 asks you to create 3 objectives for your school. Bernhardt recommends utilizing the SMART goal method when designing these objectives. If you are unfamiliar with SMART goals, please read this article for more information.
4. Steps 7-12 describe the details of how the school will achieve the goal. Follow the steps on pp. 134-135 carefully.

Week 7 Proposal for Continuous School Improvement For Inclusive Education

You will craft a detailed proposal to your administrator that clearly communicates the information listed in the checklist below. You may choose the most appropriate means of communication. You may write a letter, presentation slide show, detailed flowchart, or record a formal presentation in which you “pitch” your action plan.

Your Proposal for Continuous School Improvement For Inclusive Education must include each of the following elements:

• An introduction that includes:
  • A statement of purpose (you may wish to state your Essential Question)
  • A brief overview of your process thus far
• A brief description of your Continuous School Improvement Plan, including:
  • Objectives
  • Strategies
  • Activities
• A brief description of implementation Strategies, including:
  • Leadership Structures
  • Collaborative Strategies
  • Professional Learning and Partnerships
• A brief plan for process evaluation, including:
  • How you will know if the work has been done, and
  • How you will know if the work is effective
• A draft timeline

 

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignments	Points
Discussions (weekly discussions + final discussion)	15 pts (3 pts. each weekly discussion) + 8 pts (final)
Week 1 Essential Question and Cont. School Improvement Framework Written Response	5 pts
Week 2 Reflection on Self-assessment	5 pts
Week 3 School Data Collection: Template and Analysis	12 pts
Week 4 School Data Profile	10 pts
Week 5 Needs Assessment and Vision Statement	15 pts
Week 6 Continuous School Improvement Action Plan for Inclusive Education	12 pts
Week 7 Final Assignment	18 pts
Total	100 pts

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00