Schools and Data: The Educator′s Guide for Using Data to Improve Decision Making

The second updated edition of SCHOOLS AND DATA: THE EDUCATOR'S GUIDE FOR USING DATA TO IMPROVE DECISION MAKING covers an area which is no longer optional for educators, providing analysis of statistics relating to data use in the schools of teachers and principals. Real-world examples accompany step-by-step procedures for collecting, organizing and using data to provide leaders with more effective decision-making tools. A 'must' for educators and administrators in school settings. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

I taught a section on statistics to educators back in 2001 and the textbook we used was a "statistics without the statistics" coursepack which failed to satisfy anyone. I am certain, however, that if I had Dr. Creighton's Schools and Data, my students would have felt more comfortable and learned a great deal more. With its specific examples for the schools and lack of jargon this volume definitely fills a need in regards to ubiquitous Ed School quantitative research syllabi. It not only explains statistics like t tests, z scores, and correlation coefficients, but it also provides excellent rationale for where and how they should be used in our schools. Such illumination is most welcome as many teachers-to-be think statistical measurement is a waste of time. Dr. Creighton shows readers exactly how to use the SPSS and GB-STAT programs--down to the exact functions to enable and click--which will make performing calculations and determinations far easier than most people expect. We live in a time wherein the public is gradually starting to discover the importance of the phrase "research based" so a book like this is invaluable as a means to bettering the education of children as it helps to separate the good from the trendy when it comes to instructional method (not to mention all the other ways in which statistical analysis could improve the functioning of the schools as well). It was an excellent buy.