Quality School Line

Datafolders: The new portfolio

By Barbara A. Cleary, Ph.D
PQ Systems, Inc.

A combination of new technologies, increased emphasis on assessment practices and accountability, and improved communication strategies have made student data folders a necessity for many teachers. Teachers sometimes find themselves in a quandary about what to include in these data folders. What makes a good data folder?

Teachers have kept portfolios of their students’ work for years. These consisted of written work, including tests and papers, as well as art work or other indicators of a child’s progress. It may have even included a videotape of a presentation—whatever a teacher thought would be useful to keep for the student for a given year. What once seemed natural to teachers has been altered under the glare of accountability and technology, but the basic premise for data folders is the same as the instinct for portfolio management.

What goes into a data folder?

The answer to that question can be made with another question: What will best indicate the learning progress of this student?

Reflecting on that question from the point of view of a parent may be helpful. At parent-teacher conferences, parents want to see what their children are accomplishing. Of course, specific examples of a student’s work—a test, a paper, a piece of art—will give snapshots of student progress. But to understand the continuity of learning, quality tools such as check sheets, line charts, Pareto diagrams, and other indicators will communicate something about the student’s learning over time.

Another way to answer the “What goes into a data folder?” question is to consider ways to use the data folder in order to enhance the child’s own understanding of his or her performance. When a student examines a Pareto chart indicating the sources of errors in math problems, for example, he or she will be quick to understand that perhaps multiplication facts represent the greatest challenge in mastering these problems. With this information, the student will know where to focus specific energy. The data actually supports motivation for improvement, since students understand exactly what to do.

To learn more about data folders and view a short video presentation, click Slide Show. Notice that the personal information lotus diagram relates to the student himself/herself: an introduction that will help the teacher get to know the student better, enhance the child’s self-knowledge, and indicate to parents what is important to the child.

PQ Systems offers comprehensive training in the use of data folders, offering instruction in the use of improvement and problem-solving tools as well as discussion of data folders and their use in improving classroom learning.

For more information or to schedule Mathematics Standards training for your school or district, call Soren today at 800-777-3020 x124.

Got stories?

Many of you have used the Process and Tools to improve classroom processes and support learning. We’re opening Quality School Line to a series of these stories, and invite you to send details of your experiences with the improvement tools. If we use your story, we will send you a copy of Alfie Kohn’s book, Punished by Rewards, a stimulating discussion of the role of external and internal motivation in student learning. All you need to do is describe how you’ve used a particular tool, tell us a little about your school (its location, number of students, and a little about its quality journey), and indicate your position in the school. We can identify you and your school or not, as you prefer. Your colleagues who are looking for concrete ways to apply these tools will thank you! If you have applications of your own that you’d be willing to share with other teachers e-mail them to K12@pqsystems.com

Here's this month's issue of Quality SchoolLine, a newsletter from PQ Systems, Inc. that provides quarterly tips, examples, and suggestions to classroom teachers and administrators. Watch for classroom projects, downloadable templates, and discounted software for your classroom.
Newsletter Spotlight
New Book by Sally Duncan and Soren Gormley Do you keep student data folders or know other teachers who do? Then you already know their benefits: greater student responsibility, better communication with parents, and improved scores. Creating and Using Data Folders, a new resource by trainers Sally Duncan and Soren Gormley, provides teachers with tips for planning and preparing to use data folders in your classroom, including plenty of invaluable data folder examples. Order today to take advantage of the introductory price of $24.95 at Data Folders.
Tip of the Month
Datafolders: The new portfolio By Barbara A. Cleary, Ph.D PQ Systems, Inc. A combination of new technologies, increased emphasis on assessment practices and accountability, and improved communication strategies have made student data folders a necessity for many teachers. Teachers sometimes find themselves in a quandary about what to include in these data folders. What makes a good data folder? Teachers have kept portfolios of their students’ work for years. These consisted of written work, including tests and papers, as well as art work or other indicators of a child’s progress. It may have even included a videotape of a presentation—whatever a teacher thought would be useful to keep for the student for a given year. What once seemed natural to teachers has been altered under the glare of accountability and technology, but the basic premise for data folders is the same as the instinct for portfolio management. What goes into a data folder? The answer to that question can be made with another question: What will best indicate the learning progress of this student? Reflecting on that question from the point of view of a parent may be helpful. At parent-teacher conferences, parents want to see what their children are accomplishing. Of course, specific examples of a student’s work—a test, a paper, a piece of art—will give snapshots of student progress. But to understand the continuity of learning, quality tools such as check sheets, line charts, Pareto diagrams, and other indicators will communicate something about the student’s learning over time. Another way to answer the “What goes into a data folder?” question is to consider ways to use the data folder in order to enhance the child’s own understanding of his or her performance. When a student examines a Pareto chart indicating the sources of errors in math problems, for example, he or she will be quick to understand that perhaps multiplication facts represent the greatest challenge in mastering these problems. With this information, the student will know where to focus specific energy. The data actually supports motivation for improvement, since students understand exactly what to do. To learn more about data folders and view a short video presentation, click Slide Show. Notice that the personal information lotus diagram relates to the student himself/herself: an introduction that will help the teacher get to know the student better, enhance the child’s self-knowledge, and indicate to parents what is important to the child. PQ Systems offers comprehensive training in the use of data folders, offering instruction in the use of improvement and problem-solving tools as well as discussion of data folders and their use in improving classroom learning. For more information or to schedule Mathematics Standards training for your school or district, call Soren today at 800-777-3020 x124. Got stories? Many of you have used the Process and Tools to improve classroom processes and support learning. We’re opening Quality School Line to a series of these stories, and invite you to send details of your experiences with the improvement tools. If we use your story, we will send you a copy of Alfie Kohn’s book, Punished by Rewards, a stimulating discussion of the role of external and internal motivation in student learning. All you need to do is describe how you’ve used a particular tool, tell us a little about your school (its location, number of students, and a little about its quality journey), and indicate your position in the school. We can identify you and your school or not, as you prefer. Your colleagues who are looking for concrete ways to apply these tools will thank you! If you have applications of your own that you’d be willing to share with other teachers e-mail them to K12@pqsystems.com Copyright 2005 by PQ Systems, Inc., 10468 Miamisburg-Springboro Rd., Miamisburg, OH 45342 All rights reserved.