College of Education, Health and Human Services professors partnered with local public school leaders to write Strengthen Your Classroom with Student Data: A Practical Guide of New Ways for Educators to Improve Results.
The book serves as a research-based guide to strengthening the classroom and includes unique perspectives based on university and public school dialogue.
Each of the co-authors has a very different background, making the book unique.
Dr. Joanne Caniglia, associate professor in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, brought her expertise in differentiated instruction and education of underrepresented populations.
Dr. Justin Gates, director of Student Services at Kent City Schools and a graduate of Kent State University, provided expertise in legislative and judicial context for related services of students on an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
“Writing the book helped me professionally by providing me the opportunity to reflect on my work and the work being done in our district,” Gates said.
Dr. Joseph Giancola, retired superintendent of Kent City Schools and Kent State adjunct professor, also participated in writing the book and was in charge of overseeing the big picture.
"It represents over 100 years of education experience, boiled down to two years of actual writing," said Giancola.
Linda Paulus provided the bulk of data analysis for the book. Currently, she works as the director of data analysis for Kent City Schools. Her role in the book made it even more important for educators.
Overall, the book is a research-based collective, serving as a guide to strengthen educators’ classrooms. Teachers will learn how to:
- adjust plans to match students' needs, interests, and abilities,
- check students' test results to trace the roots of their core learning progressions, and
- demonstrate student progress to your stakeholders.
“Every teacher has the potential for tremendous impact with his or her students,” Giancola said, “I hope this book helps.”