Analyzing Data and Asking Questions at Shell School, Sea County Florida. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vanover, Charles
• Is Part Of: Journal of cases in educational leadership. Volume 18:Number 4(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 350
• Page End: 364
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: instructional leadership -- data interpretation -- educational accountability -- educational equity -- case method (teaching technique); Educational leadership -- Periodicals; Educational leadership -- Research -- Periodicals; 371.2011
• DOI: 10.1177/1555458915609095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1555-4589

Abstract

This case discusses early work to implement the Common Core State Standards at a fictitious school in Florida. The case is designed to support students' efforts to use school accountability data for inquiry and to conceptualize change in schools where previous leaders' efforts were not successful. Shell Elementary is an exurban school that serves a predominantly low income, Caucasian community. Accountability data show that Shell's students learn below the achievement levels specified by the state. The written text describes a dysfunctional school leadership system where data are not used in a collaborative process. The Teaching Questions ask students to imagine the initial steps in an inquiry that might surface the information necessary to set the direction and lead a beneficial process of change.