Effectively Using Data for Educator Preparation Program Improvement

Book excerpt: This volume provides a synthesis of protocols, and strategies to support assessment leaders in effectively using data for educator preparation program improvement. Data-informed decision-making has become increasingly important in quality assurance for both internal and external audiences, yet there are scant resources to guide those charged with managing the development and application of data for monitoring and improving the quality of their programs. Until this work, there has been little explication of how assessment directors working in educator preparation should conceptualize, organize, and implement best practices in data collection, analysis, interpretation, and sharing. As state and national expectations for evidence of quality are growing, it is essential to chronicle the collective wisdom of assessment leaders in education preparation in one manuscript. For both novice and experienced assessment directors, this volume offers insightful perspectives and excellent strategies to facilitate the journey from complying with external expectations to strategically using data and evidence to achieve goals, leveraging assessment to achieve socially just outcomes, involving multiple voices and interpreters, and opening windows to further inquiry. The editors have gathered experts in all phases of the assessment process and organized their work in an easy-to-follow manner. This work provides both conceptual underpinnings of educator preparation quality assurance as well as practical lessons learned that will support the transformation of an assessment professional into an assessment leader. ENSORSEMENTS "Finally, a book that shows what we can learn from accreditation, collectively. The strength of the volume lies in the concrete examples of evaluation and improvement that are woven throughout the chapters. Effectively Using Data for Educator Preparation Improvement is a welcome addition to the small but growing body of useful literature related to quality assurance work in the field." Mark LaCelle-Peterson, Ed.D. President and CEO Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation "The volume Effectively Using Data for Educator Preparation Program Improvement provides many examples of how providers collect data and evidence to establish or enhance quality assurance. The publication will be of value to any provider seeking to enhance quality and improve their programs. The publication is particularly timely given many state efforts to increase enrollments and diversity which have resulted in lowered standards. Having measures and evidence of quality provide a necessary counter balance to these efforts." Christopher Koch, Ed.D. President Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation "Effectively Using Data for Educator Preparation Program Improvement assists educators in data-informed research and practice to improve programs, diversify the profession, and ensure that our teacher candidates are “profession-ready.” Written predominantly for the assessment director—or leaders as the editors posit, this volume goes beyond that goal to add a valuable resource for all of us who care about the field of educator preparation. I highly recommend this book to the field as we work together to elevate the teaching profession." Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D. President & CEO American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education