What separates successful schools from those that will not be successful in their reform efforts is the use of one, often neglected, essential element—data. With clear and concrete examples from both elementary and secondary schools, "Data Analysis for Continuous School Improvement" shows what data to gather and how to use data to improve all aspects of schools. "Data Analysis" enables you to find out where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there—sensibly, painlessly, and effectively.

Schools are powerful organizations. Every day, across the United States, schools are impacting the lives of millions of children and the future of our very existence. Schools become even more powerfully efficient and effective when data play an active role in their operations.

The purposes of this book are to update the original "Data Analysis for Comprehensive Schoolwide Improvement" book with new and improved strategies and knowledge, and to clarify:

• why data are important and what data to gather
• how data—gathered, analyzed, and properly used—can make a difference in meeting the needs of every student in the school
•how to communicate and report data results
• the data analyses required to meet "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) legislation