We know how children learn to read, and we know how to teach children to read鈥攁ll thanks to the Science of Reading. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so important to use literacy programs grounded in data. But we also know that the process of shifting to data-supported literacy instruction is a whole science unto itself!
Fortunately, we know not only how to to drive instruction, but also how to use it to manage and drive successful educational change. In this post, we鈥檒l explore the role data can play in implementing a new curriculum, which data to study at each phase of integration, and which assessments you can use to capture the data you need.
The power of data-based instruction and change management
鈥淭he Science of Reading represents a big shift in what folks are doing,鈥� Sara Thornton, a reading interventionist with Denver Public Schools in Colorado.
“It鈥檚 a shift at the teacher level, it鈥檚 a shift at the school level, and it鈥檚 a shift at the district level. It takes a whole system.”
That鈥檚 why data is crucial.
To successfully navigate this seismic a shift, you need to anchor yourself in all kinds of data: literacy data, professional practice data, implementation data, and 国产麻豆剧performance data.
This data allows you to personalize instruction, track development, and evaluate your teaching strategies at the classroom level鈥攁nd your implementation at the school or district level. It also guides decision-making, ensuring that your new curriculum is not just well-intended, but well-executed and effective.
Using data to drive instruction, implementation, and more
Here we鈥檒l give you a glimpse at the types of data that can guide you through each stage of change.
Stage 1: Exploration. This is where stakeholders gather information, make the case for change, and begin to build buy-in.
To guide your efforts, you鈥檒l need to collect the following types of data:
- Baseline literacy data that shows where 国产麻豆剧are starting from, specifically in these foundational skills: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
- Professional practice data to help you gauge educators鈥� current methods and understanding around the Science of Reading. This data can come from knowledge surveys, classroom observation forms, and more.
- Resource analysis data to help you understand the instructional tools you鈥檒l need, in the context of relevant budget constraints.
Stage 2: Adoption. At this stage, you and your teams will evaluate, purchase, and pilot programs aligned with Science of Reading standards. We recommend tracking the following essential data measures alongside rubric-based resource evaluations:
- Literacy skill acquisition data such as unit tests, universal screening assessments, and formative daily/weekly assessments that will help you gauge the effectiveness of your piloted program.
- Stakeholder feedback that reflects the school community鈥檚 response to the program such as surveys; interviews; and conversations with teachers, family members, and district-level educators.
- Usage data, which is readily available in curricular resources with digital components, e.g. How are teachers and 国产麻豆剧using the program? How often do they log on, access given resources, etc.?
Stage 3: Initial implementation. Here, the newly adopted resources are in place and teachers begin to shift their practices. The right data in this phase will help you monitor the fidelity of implementation and track 国产麻豆剧growth. The following types of data are key:
- Instructional practice and delivery data such as lesson plan analyses, observation, usage logs, and more to show how classrooms are applying the new curriculum and practices.
- Student performance outcomes to measure 国产麻豆剧mastery. Data types include formative and summative unit assessments and progress monitoring.
Stages 4鈥�5: Full operation, innovation, and sustainability. Here鈥檚 where you see the Science of Reading come to fruition, and where you build systems to maintain 国产麻豆剧growth. The data collected in earlier stages remains essential for guiding you through these final phases. It will serve as a touchstone as you gather and analyze additional data to help you make regular adjustments and modifications to your programs. We recommend continuing to monitor 国产麻豆剧progress, deepen your growing knowledge base鈥攁nd celebrate how far your whole community has come.
More to explore
For more information, check out our comprehensive guides to literacy change management and the data that will guide you!
- (A guide to navigating and sustaining change when implementing a Science of Reading curriculum)
