Trends / Performance Challenges - Overview
Data Analysis is the foundation of effective planning and continuous improvement. Both state and federal statutes define performance indicators which define data analysis efforts. In combination with associated measures, metrics and annual performance targets, performance indicators are the skeleton around which improvement planning and continuous improvement is built. CDE has prepared a table of these performance indicators (and associated measures, metrics and targets) that focus improvement planning for education in Colorado in Table 1 from the UIP Handbook.
While engaging in unified improvement planning, planning teams begin by reviewing their current performance and identifying performance trends.
The identification of trends involves analyzing at least three years of data for each performance indicator area. Once they have identified performance trends, planning teams must prioritize those trends that they identify as “challenges.” Prioritizing Performance Challenges may be the most critical step in the entire planning process as it sets the tone for each of the subsequent steps.
Trends and priority performance challenges should be captured in two places in Section III of the unified improvement planning template, the Data Analysis Worksheet and the Data Narrative.
The UIP Handbook provides additional information about reviewing current performance, identifying trends and prioritizing performance challenges. Use the links on the left hand navigation bar to access additional resources related to data analysis, including power point presentations which walk through the steps of data analysis, and additional tools to support analysis processes.