Data With Direction: Turning Student Work Into Instructional Power Moves

Description

Student work provides some of the most valuable evidence educators can use to understand learning and make instructional decisions. Looking for ways to move beyond reviewing scores and begin using student work as a tool for meaningful instructional planning? In this course, Mary Lee explores how educators can analyze authentic student products to identify strengths, misconceptions, and levels of mastery while determining effective next steps for instruction. Participants will engage with practical frameworks for examining student work, delivering actionable feedback, and facilitating productive data conversations that focus on learning rather than compliance.By the end of this course, participants will have practical strategies, protocols, and tools for transforming student work into instructional insights that drive achievement. This course is ideal for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, instructional leaders, and school administrators seeking to strengthen data-informed decision-making, improve feedback practices, and create more targeted learning experiences that accelerate student growth.

Objectives

1. Identify characteristics of student work that provide evidence of mastery, misconceptions, and learning needs.Explain how authentic student work can be used to inform instructional planning and feedback.Implement protocols for analyzing student work and facilitating productive data conversations.Examine student work samples to determine patterns, trends, strengths, and areas for growth.Assess the effectiveness of instructional responses and feedback strategies using evidence from student work.Design an action plan that uses student work analysis to guide future instruction and support student achievement.

Key Take Aways

• Gain practical frameworks for analyzing student work to uncover patterns, strengths, and misconceptions.Discover strategies for providing meaningful feedback that supports student growth and mastery.Explore data conversation protocols that help teams focus on learning evidence and instructional next steps.Strengthen instructional decision-making practices that connect student performance data to targeted action.