Development of a process methodology to determine the cost of ownership of instructional resources in relation to the benefits of improved student performance

School reform efforts call for using scientific approaches to making decisions in education. Currently, data are available to inform decisions, but many educators are not well equipped to understand quantitative information, how to use it, and how to communicate quantitative results. During Phase I, we will conduct focus groups and surveys, and train educators to use data to help students succeed. Specifically, we will conduct workshops to show them how to use data to identify target groups of students who could benefit from intervention, standardize data-keeping so that records of services can be combined and used for comparisons, monitor progress toward their goals, and communicate successful practices. Workshop instruction tools will include prototypes of software and modules designed according to what we have learned from the results of the focus groups and surveys. Workshop attendees will learn that data can be invaluable toward helping students achieve—but only if used properly. We will learn from them which services will help bridge the gap between data-users and educators who could make use of the data, given the proper instruction. In Phase II, we will perfect a data-management program and toolkits based on what we have learned during Phase I.