Translating Data into Information to Improve Teaching and Learning

Ph.D, >ABOUT THE AUTHORVictoria L. Bernhardt, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Education for the Future Initiative, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build the capacity of all learning organizations at all levels to gather, analyze, and use data to continuously improve learning for all students. She is also a Professor (currently on leave) in the Department of Professional Studies in Education, College of Communication and Education, at California State University, Chico. Dr. Bernhardt is the author of the following books, all published by Eye on Education, Larchmont, New York:Translating Data into Information to Improve Teaching and Learning (2007) helps school districts improve teaching and learning at all levels by analyzing and converting their data into meaningful information and reports that can inform schools, school districts, states, and the community of student progress.A four-book collection of using data to improve student learning-Using Data to Improve Student Learning in Elementary Schools (2003); Using Data to Improve Student Learning in Middle Schools (2004); Using Data to Improve Student Learning in High Schools (2005); and Using Data to Improve Student Learning in School Districts (2006). Each book shows real analyses focused on one education organizational level and provides templates on an accompanying CD-Rom for leaders to use for gathering, graphing, and analyzing data in their own learning organizations.Data Analysis for Continuous School Improvement (First Edition, 1998; Second Edition, 2004) helps learning organizations use data to determine where they are, where they want to be, and how to get there-sensibly, painlessly, and effectively.The School Portfolio Toolkit: A Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Guide for Continuous School Improvement, and CD-Rom (2002), is a compilation of over 500 examples, suggestions, activities, tools, strategies, and templates for producing school portfolios that will lead to continuous school improvement.The Example School Portfolio (2000) shows what a completed school portfolio looks like and further supports schools in developing their own school portfolios.The School Portfolio: A Comprehensive Framework for School Improvement (First Edition, 1994; Second Edition, 1999). This first book by the author assists schools with clarifying the purpose and vision of their learning organizations as they develop their school portfolios.Currently in press: Questionnaires Demystified: Using Perceptions Data for School Improvement describes how to create, administer, analyze, and use questionnaires as a tool to improve teaching strategies, programs, and learning organizations.Dr. Bernhardt is passionate about her mission of helping all educators continuously improve student learning in their classrooms, their schools, their districts, and states by gathering, analyzing, and using actual data-as opposed to using hunches and "gut-level" feelings. She has made numerous presentations at professional meetings and conducts workshops on the school portfolio, data analysis, data warehousing, and school improvement at local, state, regional, national, and international levels.Dr. Bernhardt can be reached at:Victoria L. Bernhardt, Ph.D.Executive Director, Education for the Future Initiative400 West First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0230Tel: 530-898-4482 - Fax: 530-898-4484e-mail: vbernhardt@csuchico.eduwebsite: http://eff.csuchico.edu