What data points matter to you?
An overused term in the world of technology is KPI (Key Performance Indicator). KPIs are data points that illuminate the health or efficacy of a system within an organization. KPIs allow a decision maker to zero in on important data points in a sea of information.
You’ve likely attended many meetings to discuss reports, data and, of course, KPIs.
Experienced educators know that quality data is:
- Available as close to real-time as possible.
- Collected close to the student.
- Illuminates the efficacy of core goals.
- Prompts specific actions by stakeholders.
- Does not require tedious analysis.
Let’s turn to a specific KPI: Reading Proficiency by 3rd Grade
Mountains of research demonstrate that reading proficiency by third grade is a major indicator of future academic and social success—a serious KPI. Measuring and evaluating reading proficiency in PK -3rd grade is a core goal that is shared between schools and libraries all over the U.S.
How are you measuring reading success at your school or library? Most everyone relies on state-mandated assessment tools to measure grade-level proficiency. Most schools also carry out informal ongoing assessment.
An integral part of informal ongoing assessment is a goal-based reading program—typically managed at the classroom level with a paper reading calendar.
Let’s talk about paper reading calendars.
When my middle son was in third grade. He diligently marked the number of minutes he read a on a paper chart. He kept this chart pinned to the wall by his bunk bed. One evening, I noticed that the wall was literally crumbling from dozens of pinholes.
I realized that paper reading calendars:
- Collect rich and actionable educational data.
- Can increase reading proficiency by encouraging daily reading.
- Once placed in a backpack, go into an abyss where the data is never seen or mentioned again.
- Typically go to school at the end of the month—far past the time to intervene if a student is not reading at home.
- Provide data on paper that is virtually impossible to analyze.
After lamenting the wall damage, I knew that the paper reading calendar needs a major upgrade!
The very next day, I went to work developing Reader Zone.
We built Reader Zone so educators, librarians and families can access a tool that helps build a culture of reading in homes and communities. Technology can add great value to building a new generation of readers.
Reader Zone is guided by these goals:
- Build a platform that truly encourages reading and increases participation in reading programs.
- Provide real-time reading data that prompts action.
- Make logging reading in a mobile app faster than finding a pen and marking a chart.
- Provides cumulative reading data that schools and libraries can use in valuable ways—like applying for grants, demonstrating program success—or failure and much more.
- Makes reading fun and rewarding for individuals and readers.
My KPI for Reader Zone is seeing how schools and libraries are accomplishing amazing goals and building cultures of reading.
Data matters and it’s extremely useful. Reader Zone collects reading data that allows educators and librarians to help students become proficient readers and intervene for those who need help. It provides data for overall reading programs that communities love to see.
Below are some wonderful data points from organizations that have used Reader Zone.
IDAHO: CapEd Credit Union sponsored an eight-week reading contest among area schools. Students logged more than 400,000 minutes of reading. The five schools that logged the most will receive a visit from a hot air balloon and have a literacy event from CapEd. Click here to learn more.
CALIFORNIA: El Camino Creek Elementary held a four-week reading program between February and March 2019. Student’s logged 395,039 minutes. Students received an extended recess and a visit from a leprechaun. Along the way, a culture of reading was reinforced by the entire school community.
WASHINGTON: An education non-profit called Communities in Schools Tacoma is using Reader Zone to track books read within their Pre-K program. So far, families have logged more than 1,500 books read in the program.
We’re just getting started. Reader Zone gives schools and libraries a powerful and useful tool that delivers KPIs and builds readers. I invite you to test Reader Zone and see how it can help you. You can try an account for free at www.readerzone.org