Data driven, site based decision making works!

From my perspective the most dramatic change in educational policy making over the last 5 or so years is the ability for all of us to review and compare student achievement and school performance. This is a fundamental change. We can use real data to understand whether or not our schools are ok, good, or great.

There are differences in opinion about the value of standardized testing. I especially like to talk with experienced teachers about this topic. They consistently tell me the content on the MCAS tests is solid. It provides an accurate indicator of student performance not unlike a doctor checking our health using blood pressure readings and taking blood tests.

I've been asking all members of our school communities to keep themselves informed. Dive in to the data at sites like schoolmatters.com, just4kids.org, or the Boston Globe's educational section.

Go ahead and become a more informed part of our school communities, educate yourself. Go ahead and compare your school to schools across the Commonwealth.

Once you dive in to this information, you will join me in being absolutely convinced that data driven site based decision making is moving Barnstable towards our goal of becoming a truly exemplary district.