Within educational environments at large, data-driven decision making has gained a rightful place at the center of policy and planning. Boots-on-the-ground data provide us with an empirical, grounded, and measurable framework from which many valuable insights and guidance can be gleaned. However, data on its own is not enough. Education providers must employ clear data-based goals and best practices in order to properly drive the desired outcomes.
The resources in this section show how an educational community may employ their own data, existent and future, in order to inform their work as they move towards more equitable systems. The following section is categorized in each sphere by focusing on student learning, school processes, perceptions and demographics (Bernhardt, 1998).
School/District Resources
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
Graduation/Drop-Out Rates Data
These data are used in calculating dropout rates. They were collected via the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) starting in 2007-08. In prior years, this data was collected via the Public School Enrollment Report (ESPE) and the Public School Dropout Survey (EDGR). These instruments provided a "snapshot" of the fall enrollment in grades 7 through 12 and the total number of dropouts in those grades throughout a single school year.
Significant Disproportionality
The PaTTAN website offers resources to calculate significant disproportionality as well as resources to address concerns with/prevent disproportionality.
School-Wide Information System (SWIS) Data
Schools and districts enter their office discipline referral into this comprehensive database which allows for drill down options to evaluate disproportionality in discipline and overall tier 1 practices in PBIS. It also provides a Check-In/Check-Out option (Tier 2) and Individualized SWIS (Tier 3) as a data repository and report generator.
Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS)
This site provides support and resources for schools to collect, report, and review student level data.
United States Department of Education - Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
This tool will provide previous years data for schools to evaluate disproportionality in various metrics (gifted placement, discipline, enrollment).
Special Education Placement and Identification
The Penn Data site provides data on special education and early intervention services.
Future Ready PA Index
The Future Ready PA Index illustrates student and school success via three color-coded categories: academic performance, student progress, and college and career readiness, providing the public with a more comprehensive look at how Pennsylvania's schools are educating students.
National Student Clearinghouse
The National Student Clearinghouse® helps education agencies with reporting, research, verification, transcript, and data exchange demands across the K-20 to workforce continuum.
Miseducation: ProPublica -- Is There Racial Inequality at Your School?
Based on civil rights data released by the U.S. Department of Education, ProPublica has built an interactive database to examine racial disparities in educational opportunities and school discipline. Look up more than 96,000 individual public and charter schools and 17,000 districts to see how they compare with their counterparts.
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) Surveys
These surveys allow for various stakeholders (student, teacher, families) to provide insight/perceptions into their experiences with engaging with their school. It speaks to feelings of belonging and as well as experiences with bullying, harassment, or racism.
Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS)
A biennial survey of youth in the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades administered in the fall of odd‐numbered years since 1989. No cost for any Pennsylvania school district or private/charter/parochial/cyber school who wishes to participate! Collects information on youth knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) use and other problem behaviors. What our youth know, think, and believe about anti‐social behaviors. What our youth think about their school environment.
Benchmarks of Quality (BOQ) Fidelity Assessment
The BOQ is an annual survey school teams complete with the guidance of their coordinator to assess Tier I implementation. The BOQ allows school teams to:
- Examine their Universal (Tier I) implementation fidelity
- Document whether the Tier I implementation has been effective
- Identify strengths and weaknesses in the Tier I implementation
Self-Assessment Survey (SAS), PBIS Applications
The Self-Assessment Survey allows schools to rate and describe their perceptions of PBIS implementation at the three tiers at levels of building, classroom, and individual student. It is another method of evaluating climate from the full staff perspective. Sites interested in using this tool are encouraged to visit the Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network.
School Safety Survey (SSS), PBIS Applications
The School Safety Survey is a tool that allows staff to describe and rate protective factors that support positive school climate and those risk factors that have the potential to influence climate outcomes. Sites interested in using this tool are encouraged to visit the Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network.
School Climate Survey
The School Climate Survey Suite is a set of four multidimensional surveys to measure student, teacher, administrator, faculty, and family perceptions of school climate. Sites interested in using this tool are encouraged to visit the Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network.
Student Engagement Instrument (SEI)
The Student Engagement Instrument (SEI™) is a brief 35 item self-reporting survey measuring cognitive and affective engagement. Data allows school professionals to gain insights into a student's sense of control, intrinsic motivation, and future aspirations (cognitive engagement factors).
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
The following items are district specific and may be found on LEA websites:
- Codes of conduct/student handbooks
- Comprehensive plans
- Student enrollment in courses, activities, extracurriculars
- Number of students receiving remediation/tutoring/enrichment
- MTSS or PBIS Manuals
- Policies specific to discipline or academic integrity
- Attendance policies
School Processes - Levels to consider:
- School level programs and practices
- Classroom level programs and practices
- Subgroup level programs and practices
- Student level programs and practices
PBIS Culturally Responsive Field Guide: 5 Components of Cultural Responsiveness
The goal of using this guide is to make school systems more responsive to the cultures and communities that they serve. This guide is part of a five-point intervention approach for enhancing equity in student outcomes within an SWPBIS approach.
College and Career Readiness Training/Toolkit
"This toolkit introduces the PA Career Ready Skills (PA CRS) and Continuum and provides resources for LEA and teacher implementation. The integration of these skills into classrooms and schools is optional; however, when the PA CRS are woven into the mission and vision for each school and implemented into classrooms or whole school approaches with fidelity, schools will improve student capacity to engage in academic learning and better prepare them to meet college and career readiness standards."
Equitable Practices in an MTSS Framework: Equitable Data-Based Decision-Making (YouTube)
Dr. Nikole Hollins-Sims and Ms. Amira Hill-Yancy from the PaTTAN system describe the importance of data-based decision making in an MTSS framework through an equitable lens. Topics include: collaborative inquiry, the cultural proficiency continuum, and introduces the PDE Equity Pillars of Practice.
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
PSSAs are standardized assessments that measure proficiency in mathematics, English Language Arts, and science. These assessments are administered to students in grades 3 - 8 annually.
Keystone Exams
The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.
Pennsylvania's Value-Added Assessment System
PVAAS is a statistical analysis of Pennsylvania (PA) state assessment data and provides Pennsylvania districts and schools with growth data to add to achievement data.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students.
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
The SAT is thestandardized college admission exam used by most colleges and universities to make entrance decisions.
American College Testing (ACT)
ACT is a standardized college admission exam used by most colleges and universities to make entrance decisions.
Classroom Diagnostics Tools (CDTs) -DRC Insight
Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) are a set of online assessments, divided by content areas (literacy, mathematics, and science), and is designed to provide diagnostic information to guide instruction in order to support intervention and enrichment.
Progress Monitoring Data
Building/classroom/ student specific data from various sources.
The Future Ready PA Index
The Future Ready PA Index is a collection of school progress indicators related to school and student success. The Index includes a range of assessment, on-track, and readiness indicators, to more accurately report student learning, growth, and success in the classroom and beyond.
Defining the Dimensions of the Taxonomy of Intervention Intensity and Considerations for English Learners (ELs)
This two page handout highlights how to use the Taxonomy of Intervention Intensity when selecting, evaluating, and intensifying interventions for students who are English learners (ELs). Specific considerations for ELs are provided across the dimensions of strength, dosage, alignment. attention to transfer, comprehensiveness, behavioral support, and individualization.
Classroom Resources
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
School-Wide Information System (SWIS) Data
Schools and districts enter their office discipline referral into this comprehensive database which allows for drill down options to evaluate disproportionality in discipline and overall tier 1 practices in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). It also provides a Check-In/Check-Out option (Tier 2) and Individualized SWIS (Tier 3) as a data repository and report generator.
Future Ready PA Index
The Future Ready PA Index illustrates student and school success via three color-coded categories: academic performance, student progress, and college and career readiness, providing the public with a more comprehensive look at how Pennsylvania's schools are educating students.
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
Student Engagement Instrument (SEI)
The Student Engagement Instrument (SEI™) is a brief 35 item self-reporting survey measuring cognitive and affective engagement. Data allows school professionals to gain insights into a student's sense of control, intrinsic motivation, and future aspirations (cognitive engagement factors).
Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS)
A biennial survey of youth in the sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades administered in the fall of odd‐numbered years since 1989. No cost for any Pennsylvania school district or private/charter/parochial/cyber school who wishes to participate. Collects information on youth knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) use and other problem behaviors. What youth know, think, and believe about anti‐social behaviors. What youth think about their school environment.
Staff Perceptions of Behavior and Discipline (SPBD)
The Staff Perceptions of Behavior and Discipline(SPBD) is a staff survey that provides information to help school teams implement schoolwide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS or PBIS).
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
College and Career Readiness Training/Toolkit
"This toolkit introduces the PA Career Ready Skills (PA CRS) and Continuum and provides resources for LEA and teacher implementation. The integration of these skills into classrooms and schools is optional; however, when the PA CRS are woven into the mission and vision for each school and implemented into classrooms or whole school approaches with fidelity, schools will improve student capacity to engage in academic learning and better prepare them to meet college and career readiness standards."
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
PSSAs are standardized assessments that measure proficiency in mathematics, English Language Arts, and science. These assessments are administered to students in grades 3 - 8 annually.
Keystone Exams
The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.
Pennsylvania's Value Added Assessment System
PVAAS is a statistical analysis of Pennsylvania state assessment data and provides districts and schools with growth data to add to achievement data.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students.
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
The SAT is the standardized college admission exam used by most colleges and universities to make entrance decisions.
American College Testing (ACT)
ACT is a standardized college admission exam used by most colleges and universities to make entrance decisions.
Classroom Diagnostics Tools (CDTs) - DRC Insight
The Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) are a set of online assessments, divided by content areas (Literacy, Mathematics, and Science), and designed to provide diagnostic information to guide instruction in order to support intervention and enrichment.
Progress Monitoring Data
Building/classroom/ student specific data from various sources.
The Future Ready PA Index
The Future Ready PA Index is a collection of school progress measures related to school and student success. The Index includes a range of assessment, on-track, and readiness indicators, to more accurately report student learning, growth, and success in the classroom and beyond.
Individual Resources
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
Significant Disproportionality
The PaTTAN website offers resources to calculate significant disproportionality as well as resources to address concerns with/prevent disproportionality.
School-Wide Information System (SWIS) Data
Schools and districts enter their office discipline referral into this comprehensive database which allows for drill down options to evaluate disproportionality in discipline and overall Tier 1 practices in PBIS. It also provides a Check-In/Check-Out option (Tier 2) and Individualized SWIS (Tier 3) as a data repository and report generator.
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
Student Engagement Instrument (SEI)
The Student Engagement Instrument (SEI™) is a brief 35 item self-reporting survey measuring cognitive and affective engagement. Data allows school professionals to gain insights into a student's sense of control, intrinsic motivation, and future aspirations (cognitive engagement factors).
Staff Perceptions of Behavior and Discipline (SPBD)
Staff Perceptions of Behavior and Discipline. The SPBD is a staff survey that provides information to help school teams implement schoolwide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS or PBIS).
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
College and Career Readiness Training/Toolkit
"This toolkit introduces the PA Career Ready Skills (PA CRS) and Continuum and provides resources for LEA and teacher implementation. The integration of these skills into classrooms and schools is optional; however, when the PA CRS are woven into the mission and vision for each school and implemented into classrooms or whole school approaches with fidelity, schools will improve student capacity to engage in academic learning and better prepare them to meet college and career readiness standards."
Victoria Bernhardt (1998) identifies 4 types of multiple measures: student learning data, demographic data, perceptual data, and process data.
- Student learning data, according to Bernhardt, usually refers to "standardized test results, grade point averages, standards assessments, and authentic assessments."
- School process data informs the community about structures and routines, such as courses to offer, scope and sequence of delivery, annual teacher turnover rates, and typical class sizes. School processes include curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
- Perceptual data illustrates student impressions about teacher instruction, family beliefs about the quality of education and other dimensions of school life, and other beliefs of stakeholders that are usually gathered by conducting surveys or holding conversations.
- Demographic data is manifested in school variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status of families, English language proficiency, and attendance turnover, and is driven by local factors such as employment rates, migration patterns, population density, and local political decisions.
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
PSSAs are standardized assessments that measure proficiency in mathematics, English Language Arts, and science. These assessments are administered to students in grades 3 - 8 annually.
Keystone Exams
The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.
Pennsylvania's Value Added Assessment System
PVAAS is a statistical analysis of Pennsylvania (PA) state assessment data, and provides Pennsylvania districts and schools with growth data to add to achievement data.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students.
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
The SAT is the standardized college admission exam used by most colleges and universities to make entrance decisions.
American College Testing (ACT)
ACT is a standardized college admission exam used by most colleges and universities to make entrance decisions.
Classroom Diagnostics Tools (CDTs) - DRC Insight
The Pennsylvania Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) are a set of online assessments, divided by content areas (Literacy, Mathematics, and Science), and designed to provide diagnostic information to guide instruction in order to support intervention and enrichment.
Progress Monitoring Data
Building/classroom/ student specific data from various sources.
The Future Ready PA Index
The Future Ready PA Index is a collection of school progress indicators related to school and student success. The Index includes a range of assessment, on-track, and readiness indicators, to more accurately report student learning, growth, and success in the classroom and beyond.