Learning to Read Stories in Numerical Data Debbie Hanson, Center for Urban Education Hannah Lawler, Santa Monica College

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions Partner Discussion Think back to a recent time when data was presented/ discussed at your institution and share: What data were you looking at? Why were you looking at it? How was the data shared? Was there a group discussion about what the data meant and it’s implications? What did participants do with the data following the meeting?

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions What we want to talk about today… Overview: Reading Stories in Data using an Action Research Lens Strategies for Presenting Equity Data Creating a Structure To Promote Collaboration and Focus Dialogue

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions Action Research Brings together a ‘community of practice’ Participants conduct research to understand the environment within which they practice Participants reflect on their own practices, beliefs, and values Goal: change initiated by stakeholders—those on the ground level who both have intimate knowledge of practices AND are positioned to make those changes Translated to Reading Stories in Data, this means….

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions Reading Stories in Data Using an Action Research Lens Multiple voices contributing to ‘the data story’ Data is connected to day-to-day practices Participants are asked to reflect on their own practices, beliefs, and values (based on what the data shows) Participants discuss how data should inform action

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions Part I: Tools/Strategies for Presenting Equity Data Goal: present data in a way that is clear, meaningful, and actionable 1.Focus on the right indicators 2.Use of visual tools a.Color b.Graphic displays c.Pictures/images 3.Translate equity goals into humans 4.Anticipating next questions

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions Session Learning Outcomes Session participants will learn tools for presenting equity data that is consumable Session participants will learn strategies for promoting collaborative dialogue around equity data

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions #1: Focus on the Right Data Course success rates in developmental math Last math course completed in high school Where students placed on the math placement exam Students’ financial aid status Participation in tutoring and other academic support services Enrollment status (full-time/part-time) Parent’s education level

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions #2a: Use of Visual Tools - Colors Ethnicity/Rac e First-time Freshmen – Fall 2010 Graduated in 3 YearsEquity Gap CountPercentCountPercent+/- Asian % %+1.39% Black or African American % %-3.18% Hispanic % %-5.77% ……………… Ethnicity /Race First-time Freshmen – Fall 2010 Graduated in 3 YearsEquity Gap CountPercentCountPercent+/- Asian % %+1.39% Black or African American % %-3.18% Hispanic % %-5.77% ………………

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions #2b: Use of Visual Tools – Graphic Displays

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions #2c: Use of Visual Tools – Pictures/Images Ethnicity/ Race Enroll MATH Cohort Successful MATH 101 Enroll MAT H 102 % of Orig. Cohort Successful MATH 102 Enroll Transf Math % of Orig. Cohort Successful in Transfer Math % Cohort Migrated and Successfully Completed Transfer Math Asian % % % % % 12.7% African American / Black % % % % % 9.5% Hispanic % % % % % 15.5% … ………………………………

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions #2c: Use of Visual Tools – Pictures/Images Asian African American/ Black Hispanic CohortMATH 101MATH 102Transfer Math

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions #3: Translate Equity Goals into Humans Hispanic Graduation Rate First-time Freshmen (Fall 2010) Graduated in Three Years Rate % Overall Student Population Graduation Rate First-time Freshmen (Fall 2010) Graduated in Three Years Rate % Equity Gap 38.5% % = -7.2% or 181 students

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions #3: Translate Equity Goals into Humans Actual Hispanic Graduation Rate and Envisioned Equity Total First-time Freshmen Fall 2010 = 2501 Envisioned Equity = 45.7% (181 additional students)

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions #4: Anticipating “Next” Questions Graduation rate Stated educational goal Counseling English/math placement levels Unit load Outside responsibilities

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions Part II: Creating a Structure To Promote Collaboration and Focus Dialogue ‘First-Take’ Questions –What is the data telling you? Does it signal that there might be a problem? An opportunity? –What part of this information do you think is the most interesting? –Did this data surprise you? If so, how? Delving-Deeper Questions –How can we connect this data to our day-to-day practices? If the data uncovers an outcome that’s problematic – what are the practices and policies connected to that area? –How might we find out what isn’t working in that area and experiment with new practices (remember, we’re focusing on ‘structures’ not on ‘people’) –Is there additional data we should look at to better define the ‘problem’

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions Getting People To Own the Data Getting people to share own anecdotal experiences Building trust

Institute for Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence at Hispanic Serving Institutions Parking Lot I heard you, and it’s valid and needs to be discussed, helps to focus conversation