Effective use of data - good or bad - is another characteristic of effective school boards identified by the study authors. Haddonfield already does this well - our Board and administrators actively seek out data on the performance of our students, and analyze that data to make informed decisions on district initiatives. For example, at the last Board meeting, the Assistant Superintendent presented data regarding HMHS Students Achievement Indicators, derived from standardized test scores. Following the presentation, the Board and audience members engaged in a discussion of what the data meant and what might be the causes of any identified anomalies. The Board then charged the administration to delve deeper into certain aspects of the data to identify trends, etc. It was heartening to see the Board members engage in this frank discussion of the data and its meaning. As a Board member, I would encourage the Board to continue to gather and analyze data.
It is important, too, to listen to the sentiment of the community regarding what type of schools they want the district to provide, in terms of expectations, atmosphere, values, etc. then consider it in light of community sentiment about what our schools should do. Ultimately, the goal should be to apply the results to improving educational opportunities for our students.
