Co-nect Announces DataFlow, a Professional Development Process to Ensure Data-Informed Decision Making.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Co-nect DataFlow(TM) Will Help Districts Provide Professional Development in Data Literacy and Help Schools Routinely Use Data to Improve Instruction and Student Performance

No one questions that the use of comprehensive data to drive sound instructional decisions is essential to addressing accountability requirements in K-12 education. But even as school districts across the country are installing sophisticated data management tools such as data warehouses and assessment systems, one important factor is often unresolved: how to use the data to make decisions that will generate improved results.

To support districts in their efforts to leverage their investments in data management and increase data literacy for educators, Co-nect, a leading provider of data-driven K-12 professional development solutions, will introduce DataFlow(TM) at the National Education Computing Conference (NECC) in Philadelphia next week. Co-nect DataFlow is a solution that helps districts implement a continuous improvement process that provides administrators, principals and classroom teachers with the skills, tools and strategies to transform data into actions that improve instruction.

DataFlow helps districts quickly identify areas for improvement. It helps schools identify gaps and suggests options for closing them, and it helps teachers routinely make differentiated instructional choices. DataFlow also helps to build the capacity for ongoing analysis, review, action planning and intervention.

An early adopter of some of the DataFlow tools, Jersey City Public Schools was quick to see that collecting and storing the data was one thing; training its people on how to analyze and interpret it was quite another. "While we're still early in our implementation, we have already seen a change in how our teachers approach the use of data. Co-nect is helping us develop a process for identifying and prioritizing issues that need to be addressed," said Gary Murphy, supervisor of language arts for Jersey City Public Schools. "When used in combination with our curriculum initiatives, DataFlow has the potential to change the culture of our schools. It is helping us become more reflective on our practice and more focused on addressing the needs of all students."

Co-nect works with district administrators to set expectations and identify critical issues specific to their district. Leaders attend quarterly working sessions to analyze these issues and monitor progress. Professional development topics include: the data-driven decision making process; identifying instructional or student performance areas of need; and collecting and using multiple data sources to improve school/district action plans.

Co-nect's school consultants work directly with district data coaches, principals and assistant principals to deliver professional development in the use of data. The coaches receive intensive five-day training in Co-nect's Data Institute and then work with school data teams on an ongoing basis to ensure that data is utilized to inform instructional decision making in the classroom. Rather than generic training on analysis and decision making, all of Co-nect's workshops, institutes and working sessions help decision makers to analyze their own data, create their own plans and manage their own interventions.

In addition to on-site training and coaching, Co-nect provides district coaches with online support and resources to supplement the resources the district already has. One such tool, DART (Data Analysis and Reporting Tool), is an easy-to-use Excel-based tool that allows teachers and school administrators to analyze disaggregated data from a school's data warehouse for improving instruction and student achievement.

The Co-nect Data Exchange(TM) Web site is designed to support the successful implementation of DataFlow. The Co-nect Data Exchange provides an online repository of training materials, management and reporting tools, and online courses, as well as instructional and curricular resources to assist with the data-driven decision making process.

"Through the DataFlow process, we help districts create a culture of shared accountability among administrators, school leaders and teachers for using data to improve instruction and student achievement," said Andrew Skoler, president and CEO of Co-nect. "Increased student learning and deeper engagement will only happen through the routine use of data to inform decision making at all levels and to differentiate instruction based on individual student needs."

About Co-nect

Co-nect, http://www.co-nect.net , is a leading provider of data-driven, K-12 professional development solutions focused on improving the quality of classroom instruction district-wide. Co-nect delivers training, tools, and resources to solve critical issues such as whole school improvement, data-informed decision making, technology integration, and early reading failure. Since 1992, Co-nect has been a leader in improving instructional quality - implementing data-informed solutions in over 33 states. Research-based programs are delivered through a national network of educational consultants who provide face-to-face training supported by an integrated suite of online professional development, assessment tools, and curricular resources.

EDITOR'S NOTE: At NECC Co-nect DataFlow can be seen in the TetraData Booth #755.