Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Free Resources: Toolkit from ETS and SETDA to Help Educators Leverage Data

Free Resources: Toolkit from ETS and SETDA to Help Educators Leverage Data

ETS and the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) have released a free informational toolkit of resources that will assist educators at the state, district, and school levels to leverage available data to impact teaching and learning.

The toolkit, called "Using Data for School Reform," includes the following:
* Independent research conducted by ETS that supports the need for statewide data systems, which SETDA members can use to make their case to state-level policy makers
* A policy recommendation regarding data for the reauthorization of NCLB
* Case studies on statewide data systems from five states
* Leadership documents and sample templates that help state-level tech directors explain the benefits of why statewide data systems are so important to the success of schools today including the opportunity for cost savings, individualized instruction, and consistent reporting methods

"Many states are moving to statewide data systems, but to date only a few districts and states are truly using data to change teaching and learning," said SETDA's Executive Director, Mary Ann Wolf, PhD. "As states develop plans for data infrastructure, the end goal should always be about increasing student achievement."

"Using Data for School Reform" is one component of SETDA's 2006 Leadership Summit Toolkit and is available free online at http://www.setda.org/content.cfm?sectionID=265.

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