Leadership for Data-Based Decision Making: Collaborative Educator Teams

This chapter presents four contexts that are important for school leaders in the establishment of collaborative data teams: calibration, focus on student data, engagement of educators and technology to support data use. It discusses the potential that lies in collaboration around student data for school improvement and highlights the fact that educator collaboration and student data investigation are difficult endeavors to perform efficiently. The chapter explains important elements and considerations that will help school leaders in the establishment of productive collaborative data teams, and highlights practical difficulties in pursuing the endeavor. In a learner-centered environment, leaders foster collaborative opportunities that offer shared learning, dialogue, and reflection from all members in the organization. The Stupski Foundation was founded in 1996 as a nonprofit operating foundation to help ensure that all children in America have access to a high-quality public education. The benefits of educator collaboration are particularly valuable in involving faculties in data-driven inquiry into their teaching and practices.