Master Colloquium Steven Bos (EST) Examining the Impact of Data-Informed Decision-Making Approaches on Goal Setting and Action Planning Among High School Teachers

Speaker  

:

Steven Bos

Title

:

Examining the Impact of Data-Informed Decision-Making Approaches on Goal Setting and Action Planning Among High School Teachers

Abstract

:

Data's growing influence on decision-making extends to education, where Data-Informed Decision Making (DIDM) is increasingly being applied. However, the impact of different DIDM approaches remains unclear. This study investigated how DIDM approaches which start with either data or goalsetting, influence the goals and action plans teachers formulate. Furthermore, this study explores the influence of teacher efficacy, a teacher's beliefs in their capacity to effectively educate, on goals and goalsetting.

In this study, high school mathematics teachers were randomly assigned to the goal-first or data-first groups. The goal-first group sets an end-of-year goal grade and then administers and grades a test to assess the current level of their class, after which an action plan is formulated. The data-first group administers and grades the test first then sets the goal and lastly formulates an action plan. Post-experiment interviews explore the goals, action plans, and efficacy beliefs.

After inconclusive results from multiple two-sample T-tests, a linear mixed model assessed both individual and group-level influences. The analysis found a non-significant positive relationship between a goal-first approach and goal differentials, defined as the numerical difference between the current performance level and the goal, at a P-value of .108.

Regarding action plans, the goal-first group focused more on long-term comprehension by adding lessons, focusing on study habits, and repeating the materials. The data first group focused on attaining the goal efficiently, using homework and buffer lessons where possible. Efficacy beliefs appear influential in the types of instruction used, but other relationships remain uncertain.

Date

:

April 2, 2024

Time

:

14:00 hrs.

Building/Room

:

Ravelijn 2503

Graduation     Committee    

:

prof.dr. Kim Schildkamp

Lucas Silva