Florida High School Principals Perceptions of Critical Data Metrics

The purpose of this study was to identify the
perceptions that central Florida public high school
principals had regarding data used in their
schools. A postal survey and follow-up telephone
interviews involving over 120 high schools in 13
central Florida school districts were used to poll
the principals regarding their perceptions of data
metrics in the Florida School Indicators Report
(FSIR). The conclusions drawn from the study were
that central Florida high school principals
perceived the results on the state s mandated
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to be
the most important indicators in the FSIR. In
addition, the study sought to determine what
barriers impacted principals in the collection and
analysis of data. The study findings indicated that
principals perceived lack of time for data analysis
as the biggest barrier they faced when evaluating
the FSIR indicators. After the lack of time,
principals rated lack of administrator training in
data analysis as the second biggest obstacle to
using the FSIR.

Autorentext

Dr. Gaught is a retired Air Force officer and National Board
Certified educator. He has a doctorate in educational
leadership from the University of Central Florida, and owns a
consulting company that conducts research studies and workshops
in data analyis for K-12 school districts and defense
contractors. Email: william.gaught@verizon.net

Klappentext

The purpose of this study was to identify the
perceptions that central Florida public high school
principals had regarding data used in their
schools. A postal survey and follow-up telephone
interviews involving over 120 high schools in 13
central Florida school districts were used to poll
the principals regarding their perceptions of data
metrics in the Florida School Indicators Report
(FSIR). The conclusions drawn from the study were
that central Florida high school principals
perceived the results on the state's mandated
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to be
the most important indicators in the FSIR. In
addition, the study sought to determine what
barriers impacted principals in the collection and
analysis of data. The study findings indicated that
principals perceived lack of time for data analysis
as the biggest barrier they faced when evaluating
the FSIR indicators. After the lack of time,
principals rated lack of administrator training in
data analysis as the second biggest obstacle to
using the FSIR.