Driven by Data: A Practical Guide to Improve Instruction

by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo

Driven by Data offers valuable tips and general guidelines about data-based methods and the difficulties surrounding the implementation of data-driven instruction. Through a CD-ROM, this guidebook provides all the tools needed to launch data-driven instruction effectively, such as an implementation rubric, meeting agendas, calendars, assessment templates, and more. Written by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo, who has worked with over 1,000 schools across the nation, the book clearly shows how to maneuver through assessments and statistics. Bambrick-Santoyo offers vital tips, such as: how to create a data culture, how to run a successful data analysis meeting, how to write quality assessments, and how to deal with resistance from your teachers. The book also includes twenty case studies of high-performing schools. School leaders will find this resource useful for achieving remarkable results and immense gains, regardless of the school's background, leader, or demographic. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Leadership

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Paul Bambrick-Santoyo is the Managing Director of Uncommon Schools Newark, which is composed of seven North Star Academy schools. During Bambrick-Santoyo’s eight years at North Star, the schools have seen dramatic gains in student achievement, reaching 90+% proficient on state assessments in almost every category and grade level. As a result, they were recently recognized with the National Blue Ribbon award. Author of Driven by Data: A Practical Guide to Improve Instruction, Bambrick-Santoyo has trained over 2,500 school leaders nationwide in as his work at Uncommon Schools and as the Data-Driven Instruction faculty member for New Leaders for New Schools, a national urban school leadership training program. Prior to joining North Star, he worked for six years in a bilingual school in Mexico City, where he founded the International Baccalaureate program at the middle school level. He earned a B.A. in Social Justice from Duke University (1994) and his M.Ed. in School Administration via New Leaders for New Schools from the City University of New York—Baruch College (2003).

http://uncommonschools.org/bio/1017/p...

Reviews

[Patrik Bystrom · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has aged very fast. Even though it is only 6 years old it feels as though it is 35. Maybe this is all because of the uptake of data-driven education in schools and not through any fault of the writer. The assumption by the writers is that schools are new to the concepts and the book is written as a how-to-get-your-team-onboard manual. I was hoping for more practical tips on how to gather data and authentic means of analysis, specifically for an English classroom, but I will need to look elsewhere. Some useful advice on how to build PD though and how to design adult learning in a different style than that of your kids.

[Becky Soledad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great practice but with state tests being so secret and less and less time to evaluate data not always practical. If every school had access to the information they needed and the time to create and evaluate assessments the state of education would be so much better.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely want to use this next year for our data mtgs and building our PLT's.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Data driven instruction. . . . That is the focus of this interesting volume. The book has two parts (Page xix): ". . .the practical framework for effective data-driven instruction. . .followed by the professional development activities needed to build the framework. . ." The book begins by arguing that we should concentrate on finding out what enhances student learning. So, assess learning; determine what enhances and what slows learning; teach what student need to learn; create a school culture that is built on data-driven instruction.

Does it convince? That is a decision that must be made by each reader. But this is a thought-provoking book. The volume comes with a CD-ROM.

[Gordon Eldridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is divided into two sections. The first describes how to implement the author's view of what a data-driven school looks like. The second section outlines a fairly comprehensive professional development plan for leaders so that they can become competent to implement the vision in their schools. The book contains some very good ideas, but in the end, the vision of assessment is extremely narrow. The author's main suggestion is that schools create a set of interim assessments that lead up to U.S. state assessments. He suggests that not only these, but also classroom assessments are created to mimic the format of state assessments. Doing this would leave very little room in a school's assessment plan for contextualized assessments and I believe that it is precisely these contextualized assessments that are likely to lead to success in the world beyond school. The narrow focus on preparation for U.S. state tests, which is the only measure of success mentioned in the book, is actually quite disturbing.

[Trina R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many helpful tools are included in this book. The focus is on how to use interim assessments and deep dives into data to lead to better instruction. There are also helpful tools for professional development.

[Ms. McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the analogies given in the book to explain the “why” behind different suggestions. I also love that with this approach, teachers, students, and parents can know the skills assessed on the test. Seems like that is how it should always be!

[Lizz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gotta love audiobooks for school books!! I can listen and annotate 🤓

[Leanna Aker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be my bible on instructional coaching and leadership. I consider this a must read for educational leaders. The book doesn't preach. It leads. Through example (after example, after example). This is a practical guide for using data to improve instruction. And we're not talking about lip service. Not only is it a how-to, but it is a book with detailed, insightful guides about what to do when met with what kinds of resistance, what not to focus on, etc. This book was recommended to me by a principal I interviewed with for a job (I didn't get). I'm sad I didn't get the opportunity to work with this principal!!!

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was required to read this book for Professional Development in 2014 while teaching for an online public school. While it was helpful in understanding the data-driven model of instruction (assessments should be written before the information is taught; what is missed on assessments should be retaught, what is taught should match what you actually test, etc.), it offered little in practical tips for being a better teacher. While some of the book is practical for planning units in one's curriculum, this book is primarily a product of its time by encouraging teachers to teach to the test although it never states that directly.

[Mrs. Koprevich · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were many practical approaches on how to use data. Unfortunately, most of the NYS test data is not available for teachers to use. There were many ideas presented for PD which I did not find useful. Part one of the book was the most useful for me and I marked many pages of ideas to implement.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the tools included on the disk insert that make this simple, useful reflection and guidance text a must-have addition to any leader's professional library.
Bambrick Santoyo is a great teacher.

[Rachel Vote · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great tool. It will be incredibly helpful for driving instruction, self assessment and assisting other teachers with their data analysis. It was easy to read and gave specific examples on implementation.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good...
Awesome book with great ideas and applications...

[Coach Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great PD plan included

[Tami Ewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had great examples of how to conduct professional development in looking at data and case studies for assessment.

[Ryan Winn · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half of this book is great for all teachers and school leaders. End gets very dense but very practical for leaders.

[Jeanne]

Read first two chapters and have some thoughts about the lingo for assessments. Not ready for other chapters evaluating the data yet.

[Nate Guteras · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay!, Better for someone new to high standard and high performance assessment . Some data is stale in "how " case studies , but underlying foundations of text still helpful now.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as research for my thesis ... Solid tips and practical advice, for sure.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Data drives instruction. Assessments need to match what is being taught in the classroom. Makes so much sense.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

the first part talks about how to get teachers to use interim assessments and the rest is how to run professional development workshops, neither of which apply to me.

[Marcel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice how-to for implementing data informed teaching and learning.

[ER]

There is a big difference between wanting to read and needing to read...