Category: Data Use & Interpretation
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Why Good Data Still Gets Misused
Assessment data is often technically sound yet still misused. The problem is rarely the numbers themselves — it’s the urgency, pressure, and human systems surrounding them.
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Start Asking These Questions of Test Data
Statewide assessments don’t answer every question, but they can reveal meaningful patterns over time. The key is asking questions aligned to what the data is actually designed to show.
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Stop Asking These Questions of Test Data
Statewide assessments provide valuable system-level insights, but only when used correctly. Learn what test results can and cannot tell us about student learning.
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What You Do Right Now Matters More Than You Think
What happens during testing matters more than you think. This article explores how adult behavior, pressure, and environment shape both student experience and the meaning of assessment data.
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When the Measure Becomes the Goal
Goodhart’s Law explains why test scores can distort learning when they become the goal. Explore how measurement, pressure, and system behavior impact education.
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Assessment vs Testing: Why the Difference Matters in Education
Assessment and testing are often used interchangeably, but they serve different purposes. Learn why the distinction matters for instruction, data interpretation, and student learning.
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A New Approach to Assessment for Today’s Classrooms
Education systems are operating under increasing volatility due to absenteeism, mobility, and changing attendance patterns. This article examines why statewide assessment remains essential for interpreting student progress and guiding system-level decisions.
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Statewide Testing Schedules: Build Better for Next Year
The best time to improve next year’s statewide testing schedule is right after testing ends. Learn how leaders can use staff feedback, timing data, and student experience to refine schedules and strengthen assessment conditions.
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NAEP 2024: Interpreting Math Data with Action in Mind
The 2024 NAEP math scores highlight persistent gaps in foundational math learning. This article explains how education leaders can interpret NAEP math data responsibly and use it alongside local assessments to guide meaningful improvements.
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NAEP 2024: Making Sense of the Reading Data (Without the Panic)
The 2024 NAEP reading scores confirm long-term literacy challenges educators have been observing for years. This article explains what the data actually shows and how school leaders can use NAEP insights alongside local assessments to guide better literacy decisions.