In our season finale of Data Lit , we take a look back at some of the standout moments by highlighting key topics such as data literacy guidance, 4Cs strategies from students' perspectives, and the global landscape of standardized testing. You’ll enjoy clips from our favorite episodes, featuring insights from influential guest speakers, including the district superintendent and school-based testing coordinators. Join us for this reflective and insightful conclusion to an impactful season. WCPSS ...
May 19, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Research shows that the way assessments are administered plays a crucial role in ensuring their validity and reliability. In this episode, we sit down with three district Testing Coordinators—Lorrie Sardiello from Northwoods ES, Susan Cherry from Oberlin MS, and Joshua Gurkin from Apex HS—to unpack their role in the assessment cycle. We explore how they support test administration, empower both students and teachers, and contribute to building assessment literacy across their schools. Whether yo...
May 05, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 16
In this episode of Data Lit, we dive into the world of standardized testing, exploring how four countries—South Africa, Finland, Australia, and Singapore—develop and implement their assessments. We unpack the historical context, the educational philosophies behind their approaches, and the role that assessments play in shaping each system. Join us as we compare international perspectives and reflect on how standardized testing evolves in different cultural and political contexts. Research & ...
Apr 21, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Spring is here - a season of flowers, bunnies, and big decisions for high school seniors as they declare their college plans. In this episode of Data Lit , we sit down with Tim Carroll, Director of Special Projects for WCPSS’ Data, Research, and Accountability department, to explore how enrollment and degree-completion data from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) can reveal important trends about student persistence, transfers, and post-secondary success. Join us as we reflect on our own c...
Apr 07, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Performance assessments can be a productive way for students to show their growth in the 4Cs (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication). To dig deeper into this assessment method, we’re re-airing our discussion on performance assessments from November of 2020. Before and after that segment, we connect these ideas to what students told us throughout our 4Cs series. Research & resources from the episode: Jay McTighe: What is a performance task? Grant Wiggins: Seven keys ...
Mar 24, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 12
In this final episode of our series on integrating the 4Cs, we turn to the experts—our students. Through their own words, they remind us that learning is social, that authenticity matters, and that engagement is key. Their advice challenges us as educators to always create learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom where collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity come to life in meaningful ways. Tune in for a powerful reflection on what students need most fro...
Mar 10, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 12
In this episode, we explore how the 4Cs—critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication—can be nurtured outside the classroom. Featuring clips from students presenting their GIS mapping projects, we highlight moments where they have applied these skills to their research on real-world problems. We also discuss how extracurricular activities and out-of-classroom experiences play a vital role in building these competencies. Tune in to see how learning goes beyond the classroom wall...
Feb 24, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 11
In this episode, we listen to real student voices as they share how their teachers bring the 4Cs—critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity—into everyday lessons across different subjects. Join us as we react to their insights, discuss the impact of these skills on student engagement, and explore how fostering the 4Cs can make learning more meaningful and exciting. Tune in to hear why integrating these essential skills isn’t just good teaching—it can be a game-changer for st...
Feb 10, 2025•34 min•Season 5Ep. 10
WCPSS’ mission is to “provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators and critical thinkers.” This episode introduces our exploration of why these 4Cs are so essential to preparing our students to lead productive lives in a complex and changing world. We define each of the 4Cs, discuss potential challenges to measuring them, and finally offer a solution to the challenges which we will explore in subsequent episodes. Re...
Jan 27, 2025•25 min•Season 5Ep. 9
In this special episode of Data Lit, we are joined by our very own Dr. Tambryme Hamilton-Simmons (Counseling & Student Services Department) as she shares her research on the effects of social-emotional learning practices on student behavior. One unexpected outcome experienced during her research was the impact of the pandemic on her sample size. Since disruptions can and do play a role when conducting research, you will also hear from Dr. Meghan Scrimgeour on our Program Accountability team ...
Jan 13, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 7
It's time for your favorite annual tradition: Data Lit's Holiday Extravaganza! This year, we're joined by a special guest: Data, Research, and Accountability's own Daniel Bunce. We each give the gift of data by sharing surprising WCPSS facts, then quiz each other on holiday trivia. Play along at home to see if you can beat our hosts! WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by ...
Dec 16, 2024•30 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In our latest Data Bytes episode, we sit down with Paula de Lucca, Senior Director of Child Nutrition Services to explore how data fuels her mission to feed thousands of students every day in our district. Discover how her team expertly balances cost control and meal service to operate as a self-supporting enterprise. She also reveals the number one menu item students can't get enough of and shares strategies for managing rising food costs while ensuring every student is well-fed and ready to le...
Dec 02, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode, we spotlight districts and states across the country that are leading the way in data governance and data visualization. From setting standards for data privacy and integrity to creating accessible, visually engaging dashboards, we’ll dive into real examples of how others are making data both secure and actionable. Listeners will hear practical strategies from districts tackling these challenges head-on, learning how clear data governance and effective visualization can empower ...
Nov 18, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode, we’ll draw inspiration from the excitement around the upcoming World Cup to explore how data literacy looks different depending on the audience. Just as referees, players, and fans all approach the game with distinct perspectives and information needs, so too do teachers, students, and parents when it comes to data in education. We’ll discuss why teachers need deep analysis for instructional planning, parents need clear data snapshots to support their kids, and students benefit ...
Nov 04, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Data literacy is like a game of Jenga, as each skill is a brick that can topple the tower if it’s pulled. In this episode, we’ll talk through six foundational concepts that support the development of data literacy as defined by the National Forum on Education Statistics: Data Quality Meta-data Data Privacy Data Ethics Data Governance Data Visualization To make the metaphor a bit more literal, we’ll play a game of Jenga as we do so! Tune in to learn about data literacy and find out who wins. Rese...
Oct 21, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this inaugural episode of Research in Action, we sit down with Kim Corvi as she sheds light on thoughtfully adaptive teaching - an emerging field of study which focuses on the targeted moves teachers make in response to the unique needs of their students. Join as we learn more about Kim’s findings and how she uses the results to support her work with teachers. Research & Resources from the episode: Link to conduct research in WCPSS Elementary ELA 24-25 Professional Learning WCPSS staff ca...
Oct 07, 2024•18 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Join us as we sit down with Dr. Robert P. Taylor, Wake County’s new visionary superintendent who possesses a passion for transforming education through data. In this exclusive episode, Dr. Taylor shares his unique perspective on data literacy, reveals the key metrics that drive his decision-making process, and explains why he’s a staunch advocate for teachers engaging more deeply with educational research. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on the power of data in our district - one conversatio...
Sep 23, 2024•21 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Data Lit is back for our fifth season! Tune in to hear what’s coming your way from WCPSS' Data, Research, and Accountability department. Research & Resources from the episode: Educational Leadership’s July 2024 Issue: From Absent to Engaged Quantitative & Qualitative Data: Why they matter in the classroom WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler The theme song for this episode is Dreamscape...
Sep 09, 2024•13 min
From the role of AI in education to bus routing to the history of standardized testing, the 14 episodes in Season Four covered a wide variety of topics in the world of assessment and data literacy. Join the team as we share some of our highlights from the past year, as well as touch on what we would like to explore in the upcoming fifth season. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Theme music p...
Apr 29, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 13
In this episode, we explore the fascinating evolution of standardized testing in the United States. From its humble beginnings in the 1800s to its central role in modern education, we delve into the origins and impacts of these assessments to discover how standardized tests have shaped educational policies and influenced students’ lives. Research & Resources from the episode: NEA - History of Standardized Testing in the US JSTOR - A Short History of Standardized Tests The Atlantic’s piece on...
Apr 15, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Data literacy means many things to many people, so in an attempt to unpack this topic, we asked a room full of educators from across the Carolinas at NCTIES how they define this term and how they hope to enhance their data literacy. Research & Resources from the episode: WCPSS Student Survey Quantitative & Qualitative Data episode Street Data Series WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler ...
Apr 01, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 12
When you see that familiar yellow bus on the road, do you ever wonder about the data it takes to get students to and from school? In this episode of Data Bytes, our guest Bonnie Sluder from the WCPSS Transportation Departments shares what data she and her staff have to consider when managing the bus routing system in a district of our size. The fun facts she shares will make for great conversation starters at your next gathering. Research & Resources from the episode: Data Bytes: Geospatial ...
Mar 18, 2024•22 min•Season 4Ep. 12
At the core of the Street Data framework is hearing from our students, especially those whose voices are seldom represented. Join us as we discuss what it means to embrace a Pedagogy of Voice in our classrooms by sharing the six rules that can help us shift from a mind set where students are just passive participants to one where students are actively owning their learning. Research & Resources from the episode: Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transforma...
Mar 04, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode of Data Lit, we invite Wake County’s Sarah Stephens, Senior Administrator to the Northern Area Superintendent, to help us deepen our conversation around the book Street Data. Because of her proximity to the work of schools, Sarah shares with listeners ways in which educators can apply strategies in their classrooms to get to the core of how our students are experiencing instruction in their learning journey. Research & Resources from the episode: Street Data: A Next-Generatio...
Feb 19, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Join Data Lit as we sit down with Paul Cancellieri, a science teacher at Rolesville Middle School, to discover how AI has impacted his instruction and assessment. In this episode, Paul shares his experience with AI and then his three favorite prompts to engage his students. Research & Resources for the episode: New Canvas Course for WCPSS: "Integrating ChatGPT Professionally" and NCDPI AI Guidance Learning Central Course for WCPSS: Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom EdSurge: Why Educat...
Feb 06, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Have you heard about Street Data? Prior to a year and a half ago, neither had we. However, as our district was engaging in conversations around our post-pandemic “new normal”, we came across a book by Shane Safir and Dr. Jamila Dugan called “Street Data” that called to us because of its promises of addressing data considerations with equity in mind. In this episode of Data Lit, our listeners will get a taste of what this book is about as we summarize this new model for school transformation. Res...
Feb 05, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 9
This school-year, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has adopted the North Carolina Personalized Assessment Tool, or NCPAT. In this episode of Data Lit, Maxey Moore, the Section Chief in NCDPI’s Office of Accountability and Testing helps us to unpack what educators and students can expect as we transition to this new assessment system. Resources for the NCPAT: NCDPI’s NCPAT Website NCDPI Frequently Asked Questions WCPSS’ NCPAT Overview video WCPSS staff can earn credit for liste...
Jan 17, 2024•12 min•Season 4Ep. 8
We're ringing in the new year with a holiday-themed episode of Data Lit! We give out a gift of data and then quiz each other on surprising statistics. Play along at home to see if you can beat our hosts (note: that's a fairly low bar). Research & Resources from the episode: EdSurge - How AI Could Bring Big Changes to Education Scientific American - 9 Bizarre and Surprising Insights from Data Science WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more h...
Dec 18, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 7
In our latest Data Bytes podcast episode, Senior Director Cindy DeFoor shares how she and her team in the Grants Office use their grant development and management skills to bring funding opportunities to our district, as well as what data is considered in their day-to-day operations. Tune in to learn more about the inner workings of this fascinating department. Resources are provided for both district and non-district staff. Research & Resources from the episode: WCPSS District Facts Office ...
Dec 04, 2023•17 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Talk of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has suddenly become ubiquitous in educational circles. Sometimes these conversations position AI as a help for education and sometimes as a hindrance; so just what is this seemingly new technology and how will it impact educators? To learn more, we’re joined by Allison Reid, the Senior Director for Digital Learning and Libraries, to explore how AI can be used (or misused) in the classroom. Research & Resources for the episode: Learning Central Course for ...
Nov 06, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 4
