The Paraprofessional’s Emerging Role in Data Management

Instructional Data Instructional Data Analysts: Analysts:

Leadership Through DataLeadership Through Data

NRCPNRCP

Harrisburg, PAHarrisburg, PA

May 12, 2011May 12, 2011

PresentersPresenters

Sally Murek: Sally Murek: Paraeducator CoordinatorParaeducator Coordinator

[email protected]

Ellie Giles: Ellie Giles: Johns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins University

[email protected]

Review MCPS geographic/demographic

information

Roles and responsibilities of an Instructional Data Analyst (IDA)

IDA professional development

Data management at the district and school level

Summary

Q/A

Today’s Agenda:Today’s Agenda:

About our School About our School SystemSystem

Montgomery County Montgomery County Public Schools, MarylandPublic Schools, Maryland

497 square miles497 square miles930,813 residents930,813 residentsApproximately one of every Approximately one of every

seven residents is a MCPS seven residents is a MCPS studentstudent

Source: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/about/Source: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/about/

Our Schools Our Schools 2010-20112010-2011

Elementary (preK-5): 131Elementary (preK-5): 131 Middle(6-8): 38Middle(6-8): 38 High(9-12): 25High(9-12): 25 Career and Technology Center: Career and Technology Center:

11 Special or Alternative: 5Special or Alternative: 5

Source:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/about/Source:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/about/

Our Student Our Student EnrollmentEnrollment

Largest in MarylandLargest in Maryland1616thth Largest in U.S. Largest in U.S.Total enrollment (10-11): Total enrollment (10-11):

144,064144,064

Source: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/about/Source: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/about/

Our StudentsOur StudentsCome from 164 countriesCome from 164 countries

Speak 184 languagesSpeak 184 languages

31% participate in Free and Reduced-priced 31% participate in Free and Reduced-priced Meals System (FARMS)Meals System (FARMS)

13% are English Language Learners (ELL)13% are English Language Learners (ELL)

12% receive special education services12% receive special education services

source:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/about/

African American 23%

American Indian 0%

Asian American 16%

Hispanic 23

White 37%

Our Students Disaggregated by Race 2010-2011

The ProblemThe Problem

The growing wealth of data since the The growing wealth of data since the inception of NCLB was becoming inception of NCLB was becoming unmanageableunmanageable

No dedicated staff member to No dedicated staff member to consistently collect and analyze dataconsistently collect and analyze data

The SolutionThe Solution

Process begins with identifying existing Process begins with identifying existing available staff resources available staff resources

Focus on redesigning Math Paraeducator Focus on redesigning Math Paraeducator roles and responsibilities roles and responsibilities

New non-classroom based position was New non-classroom based position was created—Instructional Data Analyst (IDA)created—Instructional Data Analyst (IDA)

Established professional development Established professional development

Solution Solution (cont.)(cont.)

There was collaboration with labor and There was collaboration with labor and management at all levelsmanagement at all levels

A professional learning community was A professional learning community was established for collaborationestablished for collaboration

Member of school leadership team Member of school leadership team (Elem/Middle)(Elem/Middle)

What is an IDA?What is an IDA? Assists with collection, analysis, and Assists with collection, analysis, and

dissemination of datadissemination of data

Enters data and extracts from system-wide Enters data and extracts from system-wide databasesdatabases

Prepares reports for teachers and Prepares reports for teachers and administratorsadministrators

Uses Microsoft Office and proprietary Uses Microsoft Office and proprietary software to analyze datasoftware to analyze data

Member of school leadership teamMember of school leadership team

It’s a Wonderful IDA Life…It’s a Wonderful IDA Life…

IDA

Ellen Harris

Video of Instructional Video of Instructional Data Assistant Data Assistant

Ellen HarrisEllen HarrisStrawberry Knoll Elementary Strawberry Knoll Elementary

SchoolSchool

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/itv/ITV_Programs_GreatStaff.shtm 

Produced by MCPS Instructional Produced by MCPS Instructional Television Television

Think and ShareThink and Share Take a moment and Take a moment and

think about what you think about what you have heard so farhave heard so far

How can I use this How can I use this information within my information within my school and district?school and district?

What resources do I What resources do I have? Can I expand? have? Can I expand? Can I create?Can I create?

IDA Position IDA Position TimelineTimeline

19991999 External audit performed on math External audit performed on math curriculumcurriculum

2000-2000-20012001

Math curriculum revisedMath curriculum revised

20022002 Math aide position studied as potential Math aide position studied as potential data aide positiondata aide position

20032003 Conversion of math aide position to IDAConversion of math aide position to IDA

20052005Position re-classified and formal Position re-classified and formal assessment required to ensure that assessment required to ensure that IDAs possess the minimum skillsIDAs possess the minimum skills

20062006 IDA work hours were standardizedIDA work hours were standardized

20102010 Conversion to Instructional Data AnalystConversion to Instructional Data Analyst

Professional Professional DevelopmentDevelopment

Training in computer and data Training in computer and data system applications as provided by system applications as provided by Center for Technology Innovation Center for Technology Innovation (CTI)(CTI)

Training sessions at CTI designed and Training sessions at CTI designed and conducted by IDAs for sharing of conducted by IDAs for sharing of best practices best practices

Technology Consultants support IDAs Technology Consultants support IDAs at local schoolsat local schools

IDA Specific TrainingIDA Specific Training

Presentation skillsPresentation skillsData analysisData analysisCommunication skillsCommunication skillsResearch skillsResearch skillsReport writingReport writing

CollaborationCollaborationEstablished communication between Established communication between

IDAs through Outlook conference IDAs through Outlook conference foldersfolders

InformalInformal private communication folder private communication folder for sharing of ideas, support and best for sharing of ideas, support and best practicespractices

FormalFormal private communication folder private communication folder with information from system directorswith information from system directors

End Goal!End Goal!

http://www.learningpt.org/

Let’s talk about Let’s talk about it!it! What data problems What data problems

are you currently facing are you currently facing in your school system?in your school system?

What would you LIKE to What would you LIKE to do data-wise, but do data-wise, but currently cannot?currently cannot?

What would having What would having access to better data access to better data and in a more and in a more streamlined format streamlined format allow you to do?allow you to do?

Data Data ManagementManagement

With such a large geographic With such a large geographic area and diverse student area and diverse student

population how do we track population how do we track and manage data?and manage data?

Who is tasked to track Who is tasked to track and manage data in and manage data in

MCPS schools?MCPS schools?AdministratorsAdministratorsInstructional Data Analysts (IDAs)Instructional Data Analysts (IDAs)Leadership teamsLeadership teamsMath and literacy coaches Math and literacy coaches Reading SpecialistsReading SpecialistsStaff development teachersStaff development teachers

How does Data help How does Data help us?us?

Key Goals:Key Goals: Information is used to drive actionsInformation is used to drive actions

Ongoing collection and analysis of formative Ongoing collection and analysis of formative data to drive fact-based decision making to data to drive fact-based decision making to support continuous improvement of student support continuous improvement of student datadata

Data helps prove or disprove if instructional Data helps prove or disprove if instructional interventions are workinginterventions are working

Source:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/baldrige/about/categories/measurement.shtmSource:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/baldrige/about/categories/measurement.shtm

Strategic Data Strategic Data MonitoringMonitoring

By Monitoring Student Achievement we By Monitoring Student Achievement we provide:provide:

Appropriate student placementAppropriate student placement Appropriate course offeringsAppropriate course offerings Analysis of student achievementAnalysis of student achievement

- Individual/disaggregated performanceIndividual/disaggregated performance- Intervention strategiesIntervention strategies- Vertical articulationVertical articulation- Preparation for state testingPreparation for state testing

Unit Total Unit Total SummarySummary

Unit Total worksheet provides a Unit Total worksheet provides a running average for all units testedrunning average for all units tested

Overall score is calculated for grade Overall score is calculated for grade level items and challenge items level items and challenge items

Total points and percentage are Total points and percentage are calculated for each standard within calculated for each standard within each unit as well as for all unitseach unit as well as for all units

What have we What have we achieved?achieved?

A successful transition of A successful transition of paraprofessionals into school paraprofessionals into school

leadership positions that facilitate leadership positions that facilitate data driven instruction to support data driven instruction to support

the success of all students in the success of all students in Montgomery County Public Montgomery County Public

Schools!Schools!

The Future Looks The Future Looks Bright…Bright…

Reclassification and upgrade of IDA position

Proposed creation of an IDA Coordinator

Proposed continuation of professional development

Questions?Questions?