FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What type of data is included in a School Needs Assessment?

1. Only attendance records

2. Disaggregated student achievement data by content and skill

3. Teacher evaluations and assessments

4. Community feedback and surveys

The correct answer is: Disaggregated student achievement data by content and skill

The inclusion of disaggregated student achievement data by content and skill in a School Needs Assessment is essential because it allows educators and administrators to identify specific areas where students may be excelling or struggling. This type of detailed data helps to illuminate trends related to various demographics, such as gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, providing a clearer picture of the educational landscape within the school. By analyzing student achievement data in this granular way, schools can better tailor their instructional strategies and resource allocation to meet the diverse needs of their student population. It informs targeted interventions and curricular adjustments, which are vital for improving overall student performance and closing achievement gaps. This aligns well with the goal of the assessment, which is to identify needs and guide strategic planning for improving educational outcomes. In contrast, while attendance records, teacher evaluations, and community feedback can provide useful insights, they do not specifically focus on student learning outcomes in the same detailed manner as disaggregated achievement data. Those other aspects tend to offer a broader overview without addressing the direct academic performance metrics crucial for targeted intervention planning.