Online Course for Educators:

Data-Informed Decision Making for Educators

Teacher laughing with students

COURSE DETAILS

Data-Informed Decision Making for Educators is a short, self-paced course that focuses on the importance of data in identifying and evaluating evidence-based practices for educators who support autistic students. The problem-solving approach described throughout these modules can be used to make data-informed decisions for any student across a variety of educational settings

The course is divided into four modules, including text, short videos, interactive activities, and a short knowledge check to assess your learning after completing all of the content. We estimate it will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete.

MODULE LISTING

  • Module 1: Introduction to Data Collection
  • Module 2: Student-Centered Data Collection
  • Module 3: Selection, Planning, and Implementing Student-Centered Data Collection
  • Module 4: Problem-Solving Process - Evaluation

You can access the course content at any time of the day, seven days a week. If you need Tech Support, please email Lucian Friel at friell@vcu.edu.

LEARNING INTENTIONS

Throughout the course, learners will:

  • Explain the importance of data collection and the benefits of using data to guide decision making.
  • Recognize that data-informed decision-making is part of a problem-solving process to make instructional decisions and monitor progress.
  • Define the five steps of a problem-solving process while considering alignment with current school division processes.
  • Select and apply collaborative infrastructures needed for a team to address a problem to ensure rapid decision-making.
  • Develop strategies for identifying socially significant areas that need to be addressed by the team to enhance student success.
  • Develop strategies for designing general goal statements to answer questions identified in the data-informed problem analysis process.
  • Select and justify the components of each step for the selection, planning, and implementation phases of data collection.
  • Develop strategies for answering critical questions regarding the specific goal and type of data that will be collected.
  • Select and justify the data collection method that matches the area of need(s).
  • Implement and adapt the implementation plan process for collecting student-centered data to drive ongoing team decision-making.
  • Evaluate if the collected data measures the targeted student outcomes and goals.
  • Develop strategies to analyze data and plan the next steps.
  • Select and justify appropriate evaluation methods and timelines.
  • Apply evaluation data to inform and update student's IEP, FBA, and BIP.
  • Adapt and implement this evaluation process for other skills and students.

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS

Points for educators working towards licensure renewal (recertification) may be awarded for completion of this online course. We estimate this course to take a total of 1.5 contact hours to complete. Any teacher who wants to use it as a professional development activity for recertification needs prior approval from the school district. The school district will be responsible for designating the actual number of points that a teacher can earn for participating in the course.

*Please note that the course/ training does not meet any of the requirements for initial licensure in special education or any category of licensure endorsement.

Virginia Department of Education LogoThe contents of this course were developed by Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Autism Center for Education (VCU-RRTC-ACE), which is funded by the Virginia Department of Education, contract #881-APE61184-H173A220112. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran's status, political affiliation, or disability. If special accommodations are needed, please contact Jennifer McDonough at (804) 828-1851 VOICE or (804) 828-2494 TTY.