Data Retreats: A Kick-off to the Continuous Improvement Process

		Welcome to the first lesson of the module, Getting Started with Change: Using Data for Continuous Improvement. Having worked through the first module, you understand the importance of using data to drive the continuous improvement process in your school. You may now wonder how to use what you have learned to benefit your school. This lesson suggests a starting point by focusing on the data retreat process.

		Many BIA schools have attended data retreats over the last several years. Have you participated in a data retreat? If so, consider your experience. What did you gain from participating in this event? What did you bring back to your school following the retreat? If you have not participated in a data retreat, what have you heard about them? What have others told you about the data retreat experience? If you have never heard of a data retreat, what do the words bring to mind? What do you imagine a data retreat might look like?

		This lesson will describe the purpose of data retreats as well as the structure and goals behind them. It will also outline a general process that can be used in data retreats regardless of the data that are used. You will learn that data retreats must be tailored to meet the needs of the participants, who come with varying degrees of skill and experience. One of the abstracts that has been prepared for you describes how data retreats support the overall process of school change. The second one offers another perspective on how data should be used not only at the school, but also at the classroom level to guide improvement. This reinforces the concept that data retreats can help get the school improvement ball rolling, but it also suggests follow-up work that must be done.

		With your own background in mind, consider the following: What do you expect to learn about data retreats through this lesson? How will this lesson help you encourage continuous improvement at your school?

		To review, here are the steps you should take to ensure that you are well prepared to begin this lesson: Consider your previous experiences with data retreats. If you have been a participant in one, what were your impressions? If not, what have you heard about data retreats? Read the abstracts for this lesson. In addition, be sure to print the handout that is provided. Link your background to the content of this lesson by responding to the final two questions.

		After completing the lesson, reconsider your original perceptions about data retreats. Did the lesson provide additional information? Do you feel that facilitating a data retreat at your school may jump-start the continuous improvement process? Here's hoping that this lesson provides you with the background information to make data retreats a valuable component of your school improvement toolkit.

Using Data for Continuous Improvement