Measuring to Improve: Practical Measurement to Support Continuous Improvement in Education

A first-in-field compilation of best practices for the design and implementation of practical measurement for improvement in K-12 education

In Measuring to Improve, Paul G. LeMahieu, Paul Cobb, and contributors introduce educational practitioners, administrators, and policymakers to the foundational elements of practical measurement to support continuous improvement efforts in K–12 schools. They begin by defining practical measurement as data collection and analysis that is relevant to practice, useful to practitioners, and designed to guide and even be integrated into practice. LeMahieu and Cobb discuss the importance of practical measurement as it relates to and informs the core principles of improvement science.

Contributors present five detailed case studies of practical measurement in action across a variety of contexts and improvement efforts in districts throughout the United States. The outcomes of these research-practice partnerships show how solutions to issues—including increasing high school graduation rates, improving college entrance rates, redesigning mathematics instruction, enhancing student literacy and writing skills, and redressing systemic inequities—can be informed by practical measurement. And they describe proven approaches for the design and implementation of measurement systems that align with a validity framework. They provide actionable suggestions for core elements such as tracking, testing, administering exit tickets and surveys, and collaboration.

This useful work provides a blueprint that can guide practitioners in incorporating practical measurement as a central element of educational improvement efforts.