As demands for accountability by national and state authorities increase in breadth and depth, educators are caught in the squeeze if they do not have sufficient skills in data gathering and interpretation. These 14 articles, based on results of a three-year project sponsored by the National Science Foundation, describe how to transform data into usable knowledge that meets educators' and regulators' specifications. Contributors describe the conceptual framework and fair data use from high-stakes testing, then proceed to the role of comparative data in changing the educational reform debate, assessment data as a tool for student and teacher growth, the role of organization and policy in supporting teachers' use of data, supporting teaching, using technology, incorporating media, supporting equity inquiry with student data computer systems, implementing data-driven solutions, evolving a homegrown data warehouse, creating models of decision making, and developing a functionality framework for educational organizations. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
