The Atlas Protocol for Examining Data

Source: Expeditionary Learning (IES – E2CCB)

Data is the centerpiece of the group discussion. The following guidelines can help in selecting
data or artifacts that will promote the most interesting and production group discussions. Data
or artifacts that do not lead to a single conclusion generally lead to rich conversations.

1. Getting Started
a. Brief statement of the data being examined
b. Group spends a brief period silently reading/orienting themselves to the data

2. Describing the Data

a. What do you see?
i. Facts only, avoid judgements or interpretations
ii. Be specific, list page number, standard, percentages, etc.

3. Interpreting the Data

a. What does the data suggest?
b. What are the assumptions we make about students and their learning?
c. How many interpretations can we make? Think broadly and creatively.

4. Implications for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

a. What are the implications of this work for curriculum, instruction and assessment?
b. Given the group’s observations and interpretations:
i. What steps could be taken next?
ii. What strategies might be most effective?
iii. What else would you like to see happen? (assignments or assessments)
iv. What does the conversation make you think about in terms of the curriculum
you have in use?

5. Action Plan and Debrief

Focus Standards Strategies to be Needed Resources Data collected to monitor

Implemented (What implementation & results
will you do?)