Building the Foundations for Data-Based Decision Making: Creating Consensus on Language and Concepts, 13(5)
Authors
Karen Crum
Abstract
Data Based Decision Making (DBDM), the process of gathering, analyzing, applying,
and sharing data in order to promote school improvement, has recently become a prominent
process in the quest to assist students in attaining educational success and helping schools
meet accountability benchmarks (Wayman, 2005; Poynton & Carey, 2006). This manuscript
presents a pilot study undertaken in a Mid-Atlantic state to discern foundational
understandings of DBDM by school staff. Results from the study reveal a lack of clarity on
the foundational underpinnings of DBDM, as well as a lack of assessment literacy.