1. 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.

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

3. 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

4. Student Performance Data Conversations
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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. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Listen respectfully and genuinely
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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

10. Acknowledge and Appreciate Each Other
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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

11. Key Attributes of Effective Group Leaders
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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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Good Humor Keep smiling
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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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Credits for Conversation Skills
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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