by Julie White
Our CORE data network has answers to closing the achievement gap. A vision for mutual accountability and student equity and access drives this innovative work. For educators in the network, student and school survey data no longer stands alone, but connects key survey measures, like growth mindset, to achievement results. In addition to considering test results, the network examines a unique student achievement growth measure year to year. Comparing school performance across multiple measures, the data network gives educators a clearer picture of strengths and challenge areas.
The network serves more than 2 million students in urban, suburban and rural schools, a student population larger than many states. In addition to the eight founding CORE districts, a combination of county offices, individual districts, charter management organizations, and district consortia now are working within this voluntary network, and using locally-driven data to guide resource allocation, stakeholder communication and improvement planning.
In addition, network members are part of a broad research effort through our partnership with Policy Analysis for California Education. The CORE-PACE research partnership is the first of its kind to provide real-time, research-based feedback that improves student learning; informs policy; and provides breakthrough findings to inform continuous improvement in the CORE Districts and beyond.
With support from university-based researchers coordinated through PACE, this partnership is transforming the way research is conducted and communicated, by creating a process that dramatically accelerates timelines for researchers and learning for local educators.
Manny Barbara, vice president of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation and coordinator of the East Side Alliance says being part of this broader network furthers work in the Silicon Valley to ensure students are college- and career-ready when they graduate.
David Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools says the network gives local school districts better access to information and resources to improve school performance and student outcomes.
The network provides educators a complete picture of school performance, including information that is not collected by or available through the state, to inform local decision-making. In addition, the network helps build school and district capacity by bringing educators together twice annually to share what they are learning and to learn from others.
The goal is clear: Let’s get better at getting better and accelerate school improvement for California’s 6.2 million students.