Standards for Web-based Data Systems Help Educators Evaluate Instruction and Learning
Educators commonly use online data systems and reports to analyze data, such as student performance data. These analyses inform decisions that impact students and also inform evaluations of instruction. However, educators’ analyses of data are commonly flawed, regardless of each educator’s level or role. Research exists within and outside of the field of education that can inform better reporting practices in order to render more accurate analyses of the data systems’/reports’ data. The researcher has used a synthesis of this research to develop evidence-based standards for reporting data to educators. This paper summarizes key aspects of the standards, called Over-the-Counter Data Standards based on a term coined in a related study. There is evidence the standards directly impact educators’ data analyses up to 436% depending on the standard. These improvements in educators’ data analyses can lead to more appropriate data-informed decisions more likely to benefit students and learning.