Test Data & School Funding

The scatter plot function on the IIRC website was interesting. So was walking through the controls, especially learning how to do various kinds of filters. My eyes were opened further seeing comparable schools with better test scores. We usually have just looked at our test data without comparing and contrasting it to other schools. Usually we have run into a deadend because the schools we know from personal experience are vastly different demographically.

The session was also useful in learning more of the language of AYP and school finance. I didn't understand why we made AYP in reading when our scores didn't reach the benchmark level. Now I know.
I still wish the ISBE would give us data about the kinds of questions our students do poorly on. Knowing this would help set priorities.