In this Data Bytes episode, we hear how the world of geospatial technology and education are integrated. Rob Siwiec, who serves as the Senior Director of Geospatial Analytics, takes us on an eye-opening journey into the world of geospatial data and “grounds” the work of his team to the transformative power within our school system. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on episodes. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Rolesville...
Oct 23, 2023•17 min•Season 4Ep. 3
While classroom teachers may not have degrees in evaluation and measurement, they often find themselves creating assessments that need to measure what students have learned. In this episode, we continue our conversation with psychometrician Dr. Gregory Cizek to learn what teachers should consider when looking to ensure the validity and reliability of their own assessments. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith and ...
Oct 09, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Too often in education, emphasis is placed on the results of standardized tests without fully understanding the work that goes into creating those tests. This episode is the first of two where we interview Dr. Gregory Cizek, a psychometrician and distinguished professor emeritus at the University of North Carolina, to better understand the role psychometricians play in creating tests that can be used to measure what students know and are able to do. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to a...
Sep 22, 2023•32 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Data Lit is back for our fourth season! Tune in to hear what’s coming your way from WCPSS' Data, Research, and Accountability department. Music for this episode is provided by Enloe High School's Maya Smith. Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Rolesville Middle School’s Jamaal Wellman
Sep 11, 2023•12 min
Serena, Spencer, and Mellisa share their favorite moments from this season and then discuss what they’re looking forward to in season four. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith, Serena Halstead, and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Enloe High School’s Maya Smith Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System...
Apr 24, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In our next installment of Data Bytes, we discuss how Steve Kuni collects, analyzes, and uses data in his band classroom at Alston Ridge Middle School. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith, Serena Halstead, and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Enloe High School’s Maya Smith Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System...
Apr 10, 2023•25 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Ron Berger, CEO of EL Education is often quoted as saying that as educators we are preparing our students for a world where they will be judged by the quality of their character and their work. In this episode, we discuss the benefits of student work and how teachers can use it as a data source to not only improve their teaching but to help students create beautiful quality representations of their learning. Research & Resources from the episode: Gathering Feedback from Student Work PLC+ Bet...
Mar 27, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Quantitative and qualitative data have their uses in the classroom, yet too often, we position one above the other. In this episode, we examine the purpose of each and how we can leverage both to drive instruction forward. Research & Resources from the episode: Ho JE. What counts? The critical role of qualitative data in teachers' decision making. Eval Program Plann. 2022 Apr;91:102046. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.102046. Epub 2022 Jan 4. PMID: 35066328. Minichiello, V. (1990). In-Depth...
Mar 13, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Throughout this series, we have explored the purpose of rubrics and how to create, interpret, and use them efficiently with students. In this final episode, we discuss grading with rubrics, using what we learned from our interviews with our guests. Research & Resources from the episode: TeacherEase - “Mode” Supported for Standards-based Grade Calculation Cult of Pedagogy - Introducing the Hyper-Rubric Center for Assessment - Zero Tolerance for Zeroes WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening...
Feb 20, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 7
We are joined by Digital Learning Coordinators (DLCs) Barb Vinal, Sadie Hoover, and Wanda Hanley to discuss the value of interactive rubrics. Our DLCs review how to build and employ these types of rubrics to empower students to own their learning. Research & Resources from the episode: WCPSS’ Digital Learning Coordinator Website WCPSS’ Digital Product Resource Library (DRPL) Feedback & Data with Canvas Course Assessing with Canvas Course Other Canvas learning opportunities Cult of Pedago...
Feb 01, 2023•16 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Join us for our first ever Data Bytes episode with Mr. Kendrick Scott, Director in the Office of Security as he enlightens us about the data they use to keep our schools safe. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith, Serena Halstead, and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Enloe High School’s Maya Smith Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System...
Jan 23, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 5
From a temperature checker to a picture of expectations, two WCPSS ELA teachers describe the many ways rubrics, as tools, can guide students in completing assignments. Join us as we learn more about how rubrics enhance teaching and learning. Research & Resources from the episode: Wested: A Strengths-Based Approach to Assessment Rubrics The Impact of Peer Assessment on Academic Performance: A Meta-analysis of Control Group Studies 2018-19 Student Survey Results WCPSS staff can demonstrate the...
Dec 19, 2022•17 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode, two WCPSS ELA teachers share their experiences developing and using rubrics with students. Join us as we continue to learn more about how rubrics are used as tools to solicit evidence of learning for teachers, as well as provide feedback for students to move their learning forward. Research & Resources from the episode: Rubric Calibration Activity Wested: A Strengths-Based Approach to Assessment Rubrics Susan Brookhart: How to Create and Use Rubrics for Formative Assessment ...
Dec 05, 2022•22 min•Season 3Ep. 3
We kick off our series on rubrics by speaking to Sue Brookhart, renowned education researcher and author of the book How to Create and Use Rubrics . In our conversation, we touch on why it’s essential to tie rubrics to learning outcomes, what the common misconceptions of rubrics are, and how her perceptions of rubrics have evolved over her career. Research & resources from the episode: Brookhart, S. M. (2013). How to Create and Use Rubrics for Formative Assessment and Grading . ASCD. Wormeli...
Nov 21, 2022•26 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Everyone pursued data to make sense of events relating to the pandemic, but not everyone was prepared for the abundance of the data. Join WCPSS Data Lit podcast hosts as they share lessons learned about data during this pandemic. Research & Resources from the episode: SAS Data Literacy Essentials course Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Scientific American post “If You Say ‘Science Is Right,’ You’re Wrong” by Naomi Oreskes WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting o...
Nov 08, 2022•13 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Welcome to the third season of Data Lit! In this episode, we look back on our favorite moments from the podcast so far and look ahead to what we’re anticipating in season three. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Music for this episode is provided by Enloe High School’s Maya Smith. Hosts: Mellisa Smith, Serena Halstead, and Spencer Ziegler Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System...
Nov 02, 2022•10 min
Serena, Spencer, and Mellisa share their favorite moments from season two and then discuss what they’re looking forward to in season three. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith, Serena Halstead, and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Moore Square Magnet Middle School’s Maya Smith Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System...
Apr 26, 2022•8 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Ever wondered how the answers from bubble sheets get translated into data that is used to make decisions? Learn where your data comes from in this interview with WCPSS’ Senior Director of Testing, Brian Sumner. In this episode, we review what types of data the Testing Department generates and the role they play in communicating results to various stakeholders. Then see if you can identify which testing stories are true in a game of Believe it or Not. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to ...
Apr 12, 2022•23 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Throughout this season, we’ve researched and discussed ways to source, interpret, and communicate data. In this episode, we share quotes from those episodes that have resonated with us. Join us for our first clip show! WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith, Serena Halstead, and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Cary High School’s Logan Foster Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County P...
Mar 22, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Oftentimes we get data and start to analyze the numbers without pausing to look at the data set with a critical eye. However, as a result of the pandemic, we have had to take a step back and ponder the impact that disruptions could have on any data analyses as we return to “normal”. In this episode, Being a Data Critic, we interview Julie Molique, Senior Director in the WCPSS Department of Data, Research & Accountability to learn more about four criteria for evaluating data during and after ...
Mar 08, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 15
The data teachers use to make decisions can come from various sources, including knowing their students’ learner profiles, understanding the implementation of new instructional programs, and even reviewing student achievement results. Tune in to our interview with three WCPSS teachers, Mieya Bumpers, Lynzi Daniel, and Kevin Ledger, who share not only how they utilize different data, but strategies that enhance their students’ data literacy skills. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and...
Feb 22, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Looking at school data to identify future opportunities and possible challenges in growing each student each day is critical in planning successful school outcomes. Kindly tune in to explore some practical ways WCPSS principals Michelle Bell, Aaron Marcin, and Robert Gupton at the elementary, middle, and high schools lead with data in their schools. WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here . Hosts: Mellisa Smith, Serena Halstead, and Spence...
Feb 08, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 7
“It’s more important now than ever to really identify what’s going on in our instruction.” MTSS Coaches Sandy Carter and Mickey Gurganus join us to discuss how data-based problem solving can be used to provide an effective and equitable learning environment for our students. Tune in for some practical tips for how PLTs can leverage data to improve instruction. (And there’s even an acronym quiz thrown in!) References & Resources for WCPSS Staff: 5 Questions PLCs Should Ask to Promote Equity E...
Jan 25, 2022•26 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this episode, we explore the parallels between educational data and baseball data. We look at the past, present, and future of each, discussing how advancements in one industry can inform the other. You don’t have to be a baseball fan to learn something from this home run of an episode! Research & Resources from the episode: Daily JSTOR - A Short History of Standardized Tests Goodhart’s Law National Student Clearinghouse The Power of Feedback USA Today: MLB lockout inevitable on Dec. 1: W...
Jan 11, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In this episode, we tackle three obstacles that sometimes prevent staff from engaging with educational data: Separating the signal from the noise, lack of time, and determining next steps. For each we provide listeners with practical tips for how to overcome those barriers so they can more easily implement data literacy skills in their positions. Research from the episode: Bernhardt, V. (2004). Data Analysis for Continuous School Improvement (2nd ed.). Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education Inc. Data-b...
Dec 14, 2021•22 min•Season 2Ep. 8
It’s not enough to be able to interpret data, to truly initiate change, you have to be able to effectively communicate data. In this episode, we review five practical tips for how to talk about data with staff, students, and families. Research from the episode: Adaptive Schools. (n.d.). Seven Norms of Collaborative Work . Retrieved November 1, 2021 from http://theadaptiveschool.weebly.com/7-norms-of-collaborative-work.html Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. (2015, November 1...
Nov 30, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In order to make decisions about how well a school is doing, we need to look at multiple measures in order to uncover the full story. In this episode, your hosts will explore the four main data types (Student Learning, Demographic, Perceptions, & School Processes) by sharing where these types show up in our buildings and how they work together to impact school improvement. Research from the episode: Bernhardt, V. (2004). Data Analysis for Continuous School Improvement (2nd ed.). Larchmont, N...
Nov 16, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 6
You got the data! Now what? In this first episode, we explain what it means to be data literate and explore some critical skills data-literate individuals/educators should have. Research from the episode: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. (n.d.). EL Takeaways: 8 Data points to ponder . ASCD. https://files.ascd.org/staticfiles/ascd/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el201511_takeaways.pdf Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. (2015). How to share data with families . ASC...
Nov 02, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 5
We conclude our conversation with author and educator Rick Wormeli by discussing how teachers can implement best practices without burying themselves in work. After touching upon what ideas about grading we should carry with us in a post-pandemic world, we share our takeaways from our interview. Resources for WCPSS staff: Goodwin, B. & Rouleau, K. (2020, September 1). Research matters / grading to encourage re-rearning . Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. https://www.asc...
Oct 12, 2021•21 min•Season 2Ep. 4
“Accountability is a mutual commitment to the others’ success,” according to Yale Business School. We unpack this idea in the second part of our three-episode interview with author and educator Rick Wormeli. In doing so, we look into using grades as motivators, the difference between sense-making and meaning-making, as well as why we should be open to giving students second chances on assessments. Resources for WCPSS staff: Fair Isn’t Always Equal , Rick Wormeli Re-learning and Re-assessing: Pra...
Oct 05, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 3
