The Use of Annual Student Assessment Data by (Arch)Diocesan Catholic School Systems

• In Event: Catholic Schools: A Focus on Leadership, Data-Driven Decision Making, and Partnerships

Abstract

The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate to what extent Catholic (arch)diocesan school systems use annual student assessment data from standardized testing to evaluate and improve teaching and learning in schools. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with superintendents of 12 (arch)dioceses across the United States. Results indicate that there is wide variability in the types and frequency of testing and the structure and use of student-level data at the level of the (arch)diocesan school system and there is an opportunity for best practices to be identified and shared among Catholic school systems to better leverage standardized testing to improve teaching and learning in schools.

Authors

• Monica J. Kowalski, University of Notre Dame

• Joseph Waddington, University of Kentucky

• James Mario Frabutt, University of Notre Dame