Video Transcript
Are you tired of school improvement plans that don’t lead to real results? You’re not alone. In this video, we’re going to transform how you approach school improvement using research and data in just seven easy steps. Whether you're a school leader or an educator looking to make an impact, stay tuned!
HI friends, I’m Matthew Courtney and here we talk all about education research and data. If you’re into that, make sure you like and subscribe and come be a part of our community.
Today we’re going to talk about how research and data can help you create a more effective school improvement plan. School improvement plans often fall short because they’re not based on solid evidence. But when we use research and data, we can target the real issues, track progress, and make adjustments that lead to lasting success. I’m going to walk you through seven steps that will take your school improvement plan from good intentions to measurable results.
Let’s dive into the seven steps to transform your school improvement plan.
Step 1 is to assess the current state of your school. You can’t make meaningful improvements if you don’t know where you’re starting. Start by gathering key data, like student achievement scores, attendance rates, and behavioral records. This data gives you a clear picture of what’s really happening in your school.
But don’t stop there. Use research to identify common challenges that schools like yours face. For example, studies show that schools with high absenteeism often struggle with student engagement. Look for patterns in your data and compare them to what the research says. This will help you prioritize what issues need to be addressed first.
Now that you know where you are, let’s move on to setting research-informed goals.
Step 2 is to set goals that are realistic, measurable, and backed by statistical projections. It’s important to use data to predict what kind of outcomes are achievable based on past research and trends.
Instead of vague goals like 'we want better test scores,' or ‘we want test scores to rise by 3 points’ use statistical projections to be more specific. This data-driven approach ensures your goals are both ambitious and achievable, keeping you grounded in evidence rather than guesswork.
Running statistical projections can be intimidating, but you can do them easily using the free tool available on my website at www.matthewbcourtney.com/forecast
With clear, research-informed goals in place, the next step is to bring key stakeholders on board.
Involve the key stakeholders—your teachers, staff, students, and community members—in the planning process. School improvement is a team effort, and research shows that when everyone is involved, outcomes are much stronger.
Use data to make your case. For instance, if your data shows that student engagement is low, share this with your staff and ask for their input on potential solutions. Be sure to highlight how research-based strategies can address these issues. Engaging your team in this way makes them more invested in the plan and gives you valuable insights that can help shape your approach.
This also applies to parents and community members. Their support and involvement, informed by the data, can be critical to your school’s success."
Step 4 is to choose evidence-based strategies that are proven to work. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel—look for strategies backed by research. One great resource is the What Works Clearinghouse, which lists interventions that have been tested in schools.
For example, if your goal is to improve student engagement, you might find research supporting project-based learning or peer tutoring. But remember, it’s not just about finding a strategy that works somewhere—it’s about finding one that works in your school’s context. Make sure it aligns with your school’s culture, your students' needs, and the resources you have available.
By using research to guide your strategy selection, you ensure that your plan is built on a solid foundation.
Once you’ve chosen your evidence-based strategies, the next step is to implement them with fidelity.
.This means following through on the plan exactly as it was designed, without skipping steps or cutting corners. Consider how the strategy was implemented in the studies you reviewed and use those as a benchmark for establishing what fidelity means.
Create a detailed timeline for rolling out your strategies and assign responsibilities. Make sure your teachers and staff have the training and resources they need to carry out the plan effectively. Use the data you collected in the assessment phase to guide your implementation process and check in regularly to ensure everything is on track.
The more closely you follow the research-based strategy, the better the results you’ll see.
Step 6 is to continuously monitor your progress using data. Don’t wait until the end of the school year to see if your strategies worked. Use formative assessments, classroom observations, and feedback from teachers and students to track your progress in real-time.
Set up data trackers or dashboards that allow you to quickly see how things are going. If you notice certain areas lagging, don’t be afraid to adjust your approach. This ongoing monitoring ensures that small problems don’t turn into big setbacks.
By constantly checking the data, you can make informed decisions to keep your improvement efforts on the right path.
Finally, after gathering all this data, it’s time to reflect and make revisions.
School improvement is a continuous cycle, and even the best plans will need adjustments. Once you’ve implemented your strategies and collected data on their impact, take time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t.
Compare your outcomes to the goals you set at the beginning. If you didn’t reach a goal, ask yourself why, and look to research for new strategies or tweaks that could improve results. Revisit the data, and don’t be afraid to go back to the drawing board where necessary.
Remember that your improvement plan is a living document. You should be constantly revisiting and reviewing it and making necessary adjustments along the way.
To transform your school improvement plan using research and data, remember these seven steps: assess your current state, set research-informed goals, involve key stakeholders, select evidence-based strategies, implement with fidelity, monitor your progress with data, and finally, reflect and revise. By following these steps, you’ll create a plan that’s not only effective but sustainable.
If you found value in this video today, make sure you like and subscribe and check out some of the other videos on my channel. I’ll see you next time.
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