Facilitator's Guide to Leading Schools in a Data-Rich World

Lorna M. Earl is a director of Aporia Consulting Ltd. and a retired associate professor from the Department of Theory and Policy Studies at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. She was the first director of assessment for the Ontario Education Quality and Accountability Office, and she as been a researcher and research director in school districts for over 20 years. Throughout her career, Earl has concentrated her efforts on policy and program evaluations as a vehicle to enhance learning for pupils and for organizations. She has done extensive work in the areas of literacy and the middle years, but has concentrated her efforts on issues related to evaluation of large-scale reform and assessment (large-scale and classroom) in many venues around the world. She has worked extensively in schools and school boards, and has been involved in consultation, research, and staff development with teachers′ organizations, ministries of education, school districts, and charitable foundations. Earl holds a doctorate in epidemiology and biostatistics, as well as degrees in education and psychology. Steven Katz is the director of Aporia Consulting Ltd. and a faculty member in the Applied Psychology and Human Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE, UT), where he teaches in the Child Study and Education graduate program. He is the recipient of the OISE, UT- wide award for teaching excellence. Steven has a PhD in human development and applied psychology, with specialization in applied cognitive science. His areas of expertise include cognition and learning, teacher education, networked learning communities, leading professional learning, and evidence-informed decision making for school improvement. He has received the Governor General’s Medal for excellence in his field and has been involved in research and evaluation, professional development, and consulting with a host of educational organizations around the world. He is the author of several best-selling books, including Leading Schools in a Data-Rich World, Building and Connecting Learning Communities, Intentional Interruption, and The Intelligent, Responsive Leader. Sonia Ben Jaafar is a research associate at Aporia Consulting Ltd. She works internationally to support policy and program development and implementation through applied research and evaluation. Her areas of expertise include assessment, accountability, educational reform, policy and program development, and comparative studies.Ben Jaafar graduated from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto with a PhD in theory and policy studies. She also holds an MA in curriculum, teaching, and learning; a BEd specialized in science education; and a BSc in biochemistry.

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• About the AuthorsIntroductionHow to Use This GuideSuggested Timeline for Workshop ScheduleOverview of the BookAdditional Resources for FacilitatorsChapter-by-Chapter Study Guide: Facilitator′s Guide to Leading Schools in a Data-Rich World: Harnessing Data for School Improvement by Lorna M. Earl and Steven KatzSegment 1: What Do You Believe About Your School?Chapter 1. Putting Data at the Center of School ImprovementSegment 2: Capacities for Using Data for Decision MakingChapter 2. Using Data for Informed Decision MakingChapter 3. Cultivating the Qualities of Data-Driven LeadershipSegment 3: What Is the Context and Direction of This Inquiry?Chapter 4. Developing an Inquiry Habit of MindSegment 4: What Are the Data and Questions for This Inquiry?Chapter 5. Becoming Data LiterateSegment 5: How Do We Make Sense of the Data?Chapter 5. Becoming Data LiterateChapter 6. Creating a Culture of InquirySegment 6: How Do We Do Something About What We Find?Chapter 6. Creating a Culture of InquirySegment 7: Sustaining the ProcessChapter 7. Sustaining the Process: The Cycle of InquiryHandoutsHandout 1. Metaphor Reflection Activity SheetHandout 2. Initial Environmental Scan Activity Sheet: Part 1Handout 3. Initial Environmental Scan Activity Sheet: Part 2Handout 4. Selecting Your Colors Activity SheetHandout 5. Block the Canvas: From Indicator Categories to Questions Activity SheetHandout 6. Block the Canvas: From Questions to Data Sources Activity SheetHandout 7. Data Quality Activity SheetHandout 8. Questions About Data Quality Activity SheetHandout 9. Interpreting the Individual Data Sources Activity SheetHandout 10. Consensus About Interpretations Activity SheetWorkshop Evaluation Form