LIBRARY SEARCH: RESULTS

In this chapter, Earl and Katz describe how data can be used to support school improvement efforts by promoting a culture of inquiry through professional learning experiences.  The authors maintain that data provides additional information to help make decisions regarding complex educational issues and should be used to serve continuous inquiry rather than answer questions in isolation. Earl and Katz argue that professional learning for teachers and school leaders is necessary to fully understand how to effectively use data to support student achievement. They also present a professional learning inquiry cycle and describe the leadership activities needed to support effective professional development, the ability of professional learning communicates to promote collaborative inquiry, and key capacities for leading school improvement efforts in a data-rich educational environment. Earl and Katz maintain that data are only helpful to school improvement when used thoughtfully and appropriately.