Data Lit

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Robert P. Taylor, Wake County’s new visionary superintendent who possesses a passion for transforming education through data. In this exclusive episode, Dr. Taylor shares his unique perspective on data literacy, reveals the key metrics that drive his decision-making process, and explains why he’s a staunch advocate for teachers engaging more deeply with educational research. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on the power of data in our district - one conversation at a time. Research & Resources from the episode: Educational Leadership: Eight Data Points to Ponder Data Lit’s Street Data series College Social Experiences between First-Generation Students and Other Students Enrolled in a STEM Discipline at a Historically Black College and University Assessment Validity & Reliability Video WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here. Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Theme music is Dreamscapes by Ligon Magnet MS’ Alex Scott Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System

In this episode, we explore the fascinating evolution of standardized testing in the United States. From its humble beginnings in the 1800s to its central role in modern education, we delve into the origins and impacts of these assessments to discover how standardized tests have shaped educational policies and influenced students’ lives. Research & Resources from the episode: NEA - History of Standardized Testing in the US JSTOR - A Short History of Standardized Tests The Atlantic’s piece on testing UNC - Making the Grade NC ABCs Accountability Model from 1997 to 2012 U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, Testing in American Schools: Asking the Right Questions, OTA-SET-519 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, February 1992). WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here. Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Rolesville Middle School’s Jamaal WellmanData, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System

When you see that familiar yellow bus on the road, do you ever wonder about the data it takes to get students to and from school? In this episode of Data Bytes, our guest Bonnie Sluder from the WCPSS Transportation Departments shares what data she and her staff have to consider when managing the bus routing system in a district of our size. The fun facts she shares will make for great conversation starters at your next gathering. Research & Resources from the episode: Data Bytes: Geospatial Analytics Exploring Multiple Measures in Your Data Story WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here. Hosts: Mellisa Smith, Serena Halstead, and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Rolesville Middle School’s Jamaal WellmanData, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System

In this episode of Data Lit, we invite Wake County’s Sarah Stephens, Senior Administrator to the Northern Area Superintendent, to help us deepen our conversation around the book Street Data. Because of her proximity to the work of schools, Sarah shares with listeners ways in which educators can apply strategies in their classrooms to get to the core of how our students are experiencing instruction in their learning journey. Research & Resources from the episode: Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation WCPSS’ Equity Framework Critical Reflection Prompts For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood… and the Rest of Y'all Too Digital Portfolios 101 Learning Central course for WCPSS Cult of Pedagogy: A Pathway Toward Equitable, Anti-Racist Schools WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here. Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Rolesville Middle School’s Jamaal WellmanData, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System

Have you heard about Street Data? Prior to a year and a half ago, neither had we. However, as our district was engaging in conversations around our post-pandemic “new normal”, we came across a book by Shane Safir and Dr. Jamila Dugan called “Street Data” that called to us because of its promises of addressing data considerations with equity in mind. In this episode of Data Lit, our listeners will get a taste of what this book is about as we summarize this new model for school transformation. Research & Resources from the episode: Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation Best Practices for Conducting Focus Groups Best Practices for Developing Collaborative Surveys Quantitative & Qualitative Data: Why they matter in the classroom WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here. Theme music provided by Rolesville Middle School’s Jamaal Wellman Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System

We're ringing in the new year with a holiday-themed episode of Data Lit! We give out a gift of data and then quiz each other on surprising statistics. Play along at home to see if you can beat our hosts (note: that's a fairly low bar). Research & Resources from the episode: EdSurge - How AI Could Bring Big Changes to Education Scientific American - 9 Bizarre and Surprising Insights from Data Science WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here. Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Eva & Indy Ziegler Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System

Talk of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has suddenly become ubiquitous in educational circles. Sometimes these conversations position AI as a help for education and sometimes as a hindrance; so just what is this seemingly new technology and how will it impact educators? To learn more, we’re joined by Allison Reid, the Senior Director for Digital Learning and Libraries, to explore how AI can be used (or misused) in the classroom. Research & Resources for the episode: Learning Central Course for WCPSS: Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom Wired - The Good and Bad of ChatGPT in Schools Edutopia - Some ideas for using ChatGPT in Middle & High School Classes EdSurge - We Can’t Keep ChatGPT Out of the Classroom, so Let’s Address the ‘Why’ Behind Our Fears Center for Assessment - Ready or Not: AI is Changing Assessment and Accountability WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here. Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler Theme music provided by Rolesville Middle School’s Jamaal Wellman Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System