1. Evaluation: Help on the Road to Accomplishing the Mission
Kelly Sparks
June 21, 2010

2. Learning Point Associates
Our Vision
We envision an education system that works for all learners.
Our Mission
We deliver knowledge, strategies, and results so educators will make research-based decisions that produce sustained improvements throughout the education system.

3. Other Terms for Evaluation
Measuring outcomes
Data analysis
Performance management
Performance improvement
Accountability
Using data to make informed decisions

4. The Power of Data Examine trends to see what’s working
Drill-down to student groups to identify targeted areas for program delivery
Develop strategies for continuous improvement
Prove programs work (validation)
Stop doing what isn’t working
Ensure you are serving students to be successful

5. College and Career Continuum
Elementary School
Transition to Middle/High School
High School
Transition to College
College
Transition to Employment
Employment

6. College and Career Data Elements
School Transcript Data and Program Data
What do we know about our students during high school? Are they prepared for college and career?
Senior Exit Questionnaire
What do students plan to do after high school graduation and how many take the needed steps to get to college?
College Enrollment Data
Which students actually enroll and persist in college?

7. College and Career Data Elements
IPEDS Data and Barron’s Ratings
What are the characteristics of the colleges where students enroll?
Employment Data
Which students actually work, what are their wages, and in what industries do they work?
FAFSA Data
Which seniors complete their FAFSA and when do they complete it?

8. College and Career Data Elements
Freshmen Transition Questionnaire
What issues affect students’ transition to high school and what are their postsecondary aspirations?
Career Exploration Data
Which students are completing college and career planning activities that prepare them for life after high school?

9. Which Data Element Matters Most?
Depends on who is asking the question
Must be tied to a framework
Must be tied to an intervention
Things to remember:
Measure what you can change
Focus on a few data points at a time
Focus on progress

10. The Chicago College and Career Framework

11. The Chicago Framework Awareness – Readiness – Access– Success
College and Career Specialists & Coaches
Counseling
GEAR UP
AVID
Career and Technical Education
Direct support to schools
Connect to Postsec. Initiatives
Counselor Collaboration
Student Engagement
Parent Support
Teacher Development
Rigorous Coursework
Writing/ Inquiry/ Collaboration/ Reading
Organization/ Self Advocacy
Technical Skill
Advanced Academics
Work Readiness
Postsecondary Education
Personal/ Social Development
Academic Development
Career Development
Research and Data Strategy

12. Chicago: Driving Data at All Levels
Curricular and Programmatic Supports
Integrated School Support Model
Research and Data Strategy
AVID
Integrated school teams
College and career cultures
Data-driven decisions
DCCP supports catered to student needs
Integrated partnerships
Student Outcome Tracking
Data tools
Data- Driven Strategies
CTE
Coaches and Specialists
SCHOOLS
Improved Student Outcomes
GEAR UP
Counseling
Awareness, Readiness, Access Strategies
Partnerships

13. Examples of Other Frameworks

14. Overall School Success
12 Main Elements Lead to Student Achievement
Mission, Vision,
and Values
Organizational
Structures
School-Level Supports
Instructional Leadership
Support for Teaching and Learning
Student
Achievement
Planned
Curriculum
Instruction
Assessment
Enacted
Curriculum
Instruction
Assessment
District-Level Supports
Strategic Planning
Performance and
Accountability
Human Resources
Allocation of Financial
Resources
District Governance
District-Level Supports
Instructional Leadership
Support for Teaching and Learning

15. Career and Technical Education
PROGRAM INPUTS
Student enrollment
Certified teachers
Externally validated curriculum and third party skill assessments
Infrastructure, supplies, and materials
College and career coaches
Professional development for principals, teachers, counselors, and coaches
Postsecondary articulation
Business partnerships
STUDENT OUTPUTS
Program retention and completion
Skill attainment
Certification and licensure
College planning activities
Career awareness and exploration activities
College credit earned in high school
Work experience
Concrete postsecondary plans
STUDENT OUTCOMES
High school graduation
Postsecondary education enrollment and completion (certificate, associate's, bachelor's)
Employment and earnings

16. The Power of Technology
The Power of Data +
The Power of Technology

17. Using Data to Drive Success
Students enroll in college =
Increased college enrollment by
2.5% in 2008 to 52.5%
Data –
Why it’s important / How we will use this info
What we will track, and what we need their help in tracking / collecting for us throughout the school year, and when
Maybe lay the context as we’ve done this in Postsecondary, now need to do it in CTE – one of the benefits of the merger 17

18. College Enrollment Report

19. Using Data to Drive Success
Students enroll in college =
Increased college enrollment by
2.5% in 2008 to 52.5%
Seniors complete the FAFSA before enrolling in college =
Check that students complete
their FAFSA
74.1% in 2008—almost 10%
increase from 2007
Data –
Why it’s important / How we will use this info
What we will track, and what we need their help in tracking / collecting for us throughout the school year, and when
Maybe lay the context as we’ve done this in Postsecondary, now need to do it in CTE – one of the benefits of the merger 19

20. FAFSA Completion Report

21. Using Data to Drive Success
Students enroll in college =
Increased college enrollment by
2.5% in 2008 to 52.5%
Seniors complete the FAFSA before enrolling in college =
Check that students complete
their FAFSA
74.1% in 2008—almost 10%
increase from 2007
Data –
Why it’s important / How we will use this info
What we will track, and what we need their help in tracking / collecting for us throughout the school year, and when
Maybe lay the context as we’ve done this in Postsecondary, now need to do it in CTE – one of the benefits of the merger
Seniors complete FAFSA early in calendar year =
Check weekly that students
complete their FAFSA
47.5% by March in 2008—12%
increase from March 2007 21

22. FAFSA Tracking System

23. Closing Thoughts Don’t measure just to measure
Identify what is important
Stay focused
Embrace what the data says and be prepared to act
Clearly tie data to solutions
Have the right people in the conversation
Measure early and often
Always be thinking about the next step

24. Kelly Sparks
P: > F:
20 N. Wacker Dr. Suite 1231
Chicago, IL 60610
General Information: