Conversations About Data This module can be added to any presentation. It stands alone so that it can be inserted at a location that fits the trainer’s style or preference. Administrators or team leaders may want to use this module prior to data team meetings or other appropriate gathering of educators.

Conversations with Data WELCOME Today’s Presenter Enter Your Name Version 1 November 2016

One purpose of summary data is to start conversations: 5/6/2018 One purpose of summary data is to start conversations: Community understanding Collaboration between schools/districts Change in programs School Board decisions Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

Student Performance Data Conversations 5/6/2018 Student Performance Data Conversations Data driven instruction RTI planning Collaboration Identify trends Change in programs Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

5/6/2018 Conversations do not lay blame nor make excuses, but seek to analyze for contributing factors and the determination of next steps. Copper Rule of Conversations, because the Golden Rule was already taken. Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

75 degrees is data Warm or cool is interpretation. 5/6/2018 In the winter, Tampa Bay water gets too cold and the manatee come in to a park where the spring water is a warm 75 degrees. The park also promotes beating Florida’s summer heat by tubing in the briskly cool 75 degree water. Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

Activity Ask participants to share, in pairs or groups, a time when they saw data being interpreted in two or more ways. Version 1 November 2016

Conversations with Data are successful when: Everyone listens Everyone feels valued More than one interpretation is explored A next step or course of action is decided Version 1 November 2016

Listen respectfully and genuinely 5/6/2018 Listen respectfully and genuinely Pair with a partner Choose someone to talk first Talk for 2 minutes. Speak for the whole time. It’s okay to pause and gather your thoughts. Just listen, DON’T say anything. Don’t worry about remembering. Give your full attention. Don’t think about what you will say, you will have a different topic. First speaker topic: My Hometown Second speaker topic: My First Job Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

Acknowledge and Appreciate Each Other 5/6/2018 Acknowledge and Appreciate Each Other Stay on topic Create a safe environment with trust Acknowledge thought shifts or insights Celebrate success Honor expertise Answer questions and follow through when more information is needed Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

Key Attributes of Effective Group Leaders 5/6/2018 Key Attributes of Effective Group Leaders Knowledge Flexibility Patience Empathy Good Humor Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

Knowledge Flexibility 5/6/2018 Knowledge Flexibility Practice the different functions of MyIRC Know the vocabulary of PARCC Understand that data can be used in a variety of ways Be knowledgeable about the students or grade level you are working with Realize when it is okay to deviate your plan to make it more meaningful Adjust the tempo or activities to account for the level of competency of the participants Encourage working in pairs or groups Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

Patience Empathy Be prepared to go over things multiple times 5/6/2018 Patience Empathy Be prepared to go over things multiple times Sometimes participants miss one of the required steps to achieve a task. Be willing to walk them through it slowly. Groups sometime require several meetings before meaningful work is accomplished Understand that many participants are seeing this format for the first time Remember that new technology is more difficult for some than others Try to make this easy and relevant Many teachers are hesitant to discuss student data Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

Good Humor Keep smiling 5/6/2018 Good Humor Keep smiling Be willing to laugh WITH the participants, but never at someone’s expense Realize you will have both positive and negative energy in the room, exude positive yourself Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015

Activity Have participants share situations when they have experienced an effective leader or facilitator. Make a list of the attributes that participants highlight from their experiences Version 1 November 2016

NEVER allow Gossip Gossip can cause pre-conceived notions that make successful conversations difficult Gossip eats up valuable time that can be better spent Never gossip about colleagues, administrators, or parents Never gossip about students, stick to classroom performance topics Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt Version 1 November 2016

Dos and Don’ts Keep conversations about what you can actually DO with the information the data provides. Discover as a team what is in your circle of control to change, then develop a plan. Don’t complain about issues that are beyond your control. Version 1 November 2016

Credits for Conversation Skills 5/6/2018 Credits for Conversation Skills Paul Axtell Conversational Skills for Convening People and Influencing Decisions 2006 Jim Knight Instructional Coaching 2007 Version 1 November 2016 Morton Grove SD 70 Administrator Workshop 8/21/2015