The information that school administrators gather is fantastic but they tend to end up storing them – literally. The need for accountability and assessment is forcing schools to bring data out of the drawers and out into the open. Some are taking this one step further with school data rooms, where teachers can see student information in a well-organized and easy manner.

At Gilliard Elementary School in Mobile, Alabama, color-coded sticky notes are found on the walls of a room known as “the data room.” The notes inform teachers where their students are on math and reading standards as well as their attendance and discipline records.

The goal is to assist teachers understand and address students’ needs before they get out of hand. If a student isn’t attaining his or www.dataroomdata.com/the-process-of-document-management-in-education their reading goals The teacher may suggest extra practice or help them outside of school. If a child has issues with their behavior, the teacher may refer them to counseling or even consider taking that child from the class.

Baker’s approach is to let teachers recognize their students’ achievements by putting data in the spotlight. In the spring of 2013, a homeless student was proud to announce that he had achieved his reading goal.

Before you make the leap to a data room for your school ensure that you safeguard the privacy of your students by following FERPA guidelines. This is especially true for data displays in the classroom, where sensitive information like counseling sessions and disciplinary actions could be uncovered accidentally.