Overall Data Use Framework
Schools today are more data rich than ever, requiring staff members to develop a sense of data literacy; that is, their knowledge of how to use assessment data with other types of data to identify areas of effectiveness and to target instructional improvement efforts. Administrators and teachers are expected to use combinations of data (e.g., diagnostic and standardized test data, state assessment data, and local assessment data) to close achievement gaps, address literacy, evaluate and demonstrate program effectiveness, and improve instruction.

Access to sound data is a critical capacity for educational decision-makers at all levels. While sophisticated data management technology is an essential part of this competency, technology tools must be effectively integrated within the education and decision-making processes so that the use of data, not the production of data is the driving force.

PCG-CRM believes that school leaders can use data to support program implementation, research and evaluation, improvement of teaching and learning, and accountability at the local and national levels. To meet these goals of data use, there are at least three core areas that must be addressed: Data Quality, Data Capacity, and Data Culture. These three core components interact with each other to develop a school—and a school system—that is ready to use data meaningfully and systemically.

Three Components of Systemic Data Use

Data Quality is about providing data that can be trusted and accessed when needed. Key components of building Data Quality are:

• Accurate data
• Timely data
• Data that are relevant to key educational questions
• Complete data
• Data integration technology to bring together disparate data sources

Data Capacity is about providing the tools and skills to engage in meaningful data use. Key components of building Data Capacity are:

• Processes that support data use
• Tools to support data analysis
• Ability to use analytic and data tools
• Ability to make meaning from data (data analysis)
• Ability to formulate "Essential Questions" about student performance and school improvement
• Leadership structure
• Structures to support collaboration and communication
• Time to engage in data analysis

Data Culture is about providing an environment where meaningful data use is encouraged and supported. Key components of building a Data Culture are:

• Commitments by all stakeholders
• Clear standards and expectations for data use (accountability)
• Leadership/Champion
• Orientations around data use
• Beliefs about value of data
• Desire to collaborate
• Sense of urgency around data usage

This overall framework is the foundation of PCG-CRM's Data-Driven Decision Making Services.