Education for the Future held its Annual Data Analysis/School Portfolio Summer Institute in Chico, California, from July 23 through July 27, 2007.
This year's participants included teams from California, Georgia, Kansas, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Washington DC. Teams worked with Victoria Bernhardt, the Education for the Future staff, and special Institute Associates to develop an understanding of how data can be used to improve teaching and learning at all levels.
Over the course of the week, participants developed school or district data profiles that document where their learning organizations are with respect to demographics, perceptions, student learning, and school processes. Data were analyzed and synthesized to determine what the learning organizations can do to improve their systems to ensure that all students are proficient in all subject areas.
Interspersed throughout the week were breakout sessions on the following topics:
A highlight for most teams was the opportunity to consult with other teams and national experts about their own data.
Throughout the week, and at its conclusion, participants were asked for feedback for making the Summer Institute more effective. The most often stated comments included:
Schools or districts wishing to develop their own data profiles and learn more about data analysis away for the work day/week/year should establish a team and plan now to attend the 2008 Summer Institute to be held July 21 through July 25. It is not too early to sign up. Only 50 participants will be accepted.
