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.

• Foreword by Michael FullanAbout the AuthorsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Putting Data at the Center of School Improvement2. Using Data for Informed Decision Making3. Cultivating the Qualities of Data-Driven Leadership4. Developing an Inquiry Habit of Mind5. Becoming Data Literate6. Creating a Culture of Inquiry7. Sustaining the Process: The Cycle of InquiryResource: Task Sheets for AssignmentsReferencesIndex

"I recommend this book for school leadership teams and study groups delving into the school improvement process. Earl and Katz manage to make leaders feel comfortable with using data to improve student achievement. The authors help reduce the fear of ′number crunching′ with vignettes that show how meaningful data analysis through a team approach can truly help direct our efforts to improve academic outcomes."