Teachers know getting classroom culture right is a critical first step to a successful school year. For learning to happen, students need to feel safe in their classroom, which includes understanding the norms, procedures, and expectations and having the vocabulary and tools to engage in lessons. Teachers must thoughtfully and intentionally plan for and teach these key culture-setting pieces at the start of each school year.
It’s no different for adults coming together to engage in data inquiry and data-based action planning. We must thoughtfully and intentionally dedicate time to creating the conditions for successful data inquiry. This includes setting norms and expectations to define how the team will work together, establishing values and routines to guide collaboration, and ensuring that all members of the team are literate in the data being analyzed.
If the conditions are not ready for this work, the work will not work.
There are many ways to engage in this process. What is most important is that, as a team, you are setting or recommitting to your values and norms; evaluating your current systems, structures, and supports for collaboration and data inquiry; and addressing any areas of opportunity that you find.
For example, do you have a system for capturing notes, next steps, and commitments while your team analyzes and plans from data? As a team, have you identified your values and norms? When you meet as a team, do you have a facilitator, timekeeper, process observer, and notetaker? Do all members of the team have access to and understand the data you will be discussing? As a team, do you trust each other to have difficult conversations? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your team will likely want to start here.
Research recommends that teams take the time to review and set their conditions for success every year. It may seem like one more thing on the never-ending to-do list, but investing time in this essential first step will lead to more efficient and effective collaboration throughout the year.
Resource for you:
If you’re looking for a tool to help your team prepare for data inquiry, check out this resource with guiding questions we use with some of our district partners. These can help your team determine how to focus your efforts and energies on strengthening your data culture.
Are you ready to create the conditions for success in your school or district? Reach out to us at hello@focusedschools.com. Together, we can #IgniteTransformativeChange.
