Fact or Fiction (Deciding with Data)

AUTHOR/PROVIDER

Douglas D. Reeves

RESOURCE TYPE

Guidance, Knowledge

COST

$5 for article, $36 for online subscription

LENGTH

2 pages

WEBSITE

http://www.asbj.com/MainMenuCategory/Archive/2011/January/Deciding-with-Data.html?DID=277691

RESOURCE SUMMARY

The subject of this column is “decision-based data-making.” This is not a misprint. Educational leaders and policymakers pride themselves on “data-based decision-making,” but discerning school board members must evaluate carefully which came first—the data or the decision. With that, this article considers different levels of claims that you likely will encounter and provides some of the most recent and best sources of educational research.

FULL CITATION

Reeves, D. B. (2011). Fact or fiction. American School Board Journal, 1, 40–41.

SELECTED REVIEWER COMMENTS

“This is an excellent article. Easy to read and highly relevant to its intended audience: school board members.” “Useful, concise article that is a reminder to education leaders to focus on what's important with the data.” “Excellent summary of the types of arguments behind 'data-based decision-making.’”