Eight Tips for Digging into Data, The Coaching Podcast, Ep. 8

Data, data, data. Are all instructional coaches sick of talking about data yet? Sometimes we spend so much time working with the numbers that we don't get to the point of a data meeting: creating the plans. In episode 8, Eight Tips for Digging into Data, I share the most essential ideas for getting the most out of your next data meeting. Facilitate a data dig with your teachers that actually results in improved teaching and learning, and makes a difference to those students who need it most. Learn how to make plans that reflect the needs of the whole class as well as those of the individual students who need small group instruction. Make your next data review purposeful and impactful!

Raise your hand if you have ever been in a data meeting where you set goals and walked away with no clue of what to do next.

I know I have been there plenty of times!

What’s wrong with this? Everything!

Teachers need to walk away with a plan in order for data or anything to be effective. How can you make data work for you? In this episode of Buzzing with Ms. B: The Coaching Podcast, I share 8 Tips for Digging into Data.

Tip #1: Set a purpose
First and foremost, you need to have a purpose for your data meeting. Purpose is what makes teachers feel like you haven’t just wasted their time. Trust me: you do not want to waste a teacher’s time! It is so precious!

Tip #2: No names
Once you start digging into the data, take away the scapegoat by leaving names off of the test results. If you have “Dylan” on the top of the page, the teacher is going to tell you everything Dylan was doing wrong while testing. Take this excuse away and let teachers see the data for what it is: facts. Yes, Dylan’s behavior could absolutely influence his performance on a test, but sometimes having these personal feelings about students or their habits can get in the way of teachers noticing patterns across the class.

Tip #3: Bring the kids’ actual tests
In order to be completely prepared, have your teachers bring in the actual tests the students took. With this, you can get more specific with areas of concern and areas that are mastered. In addition, you might find that the problem isn’t the content, but something different. Find out what that other problem might be by tuning into Episode 8 of Buzzing with Ms. B.

Get the free data guide below!

Tip #4: Grab a blank copy, too
While teachers are bringing in the tests, have them throw in a blank copy so you can write down and discuss which concepts are golden and which ones may need some revisiting. By doing this, you are seeing what specifically needs to be worked on whole group and what needs to be worked on in smaller groups.

Data is such an important part of the coaching cycle. You want to make sure your data digs follow the four tips above, but there’s even more to think about than that! Tune into Buzzing with Ms. B Episode 8 to learn how to ensure teachers are walking away with a plan while using collaborative methods!

Ready for the how-to? Listen here, or subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify! Direct Link for Apple: https://apple.co/31bUNdN

It’s free download time! With this download, you can lead a purposeful and thoughtful data PLC and plan lessons for whole group reteaching and small group intervention!

Ready to learn more?
Getting Started with Data
Four Things to Know About Data
The Instructional Coaching Binder MegaPack: data forms and more!

Thank you for listening to Buzzing with Ms. B: the Coaching Podcast. Want more coaching ideas? Check me out at buzzingwithmsb.com and on Instagram @buzzingwithmsb. If you love the show, share it with a coach who would love it too, or leave me a review! It’s free and it helps others find this show, too. Happy coaching!

Podcast produced by Fernie Ceniceros of Crowd & Town Creative

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