BLT Manual

6 Data-based Decision Making

Effective teams thrive on collaborative decision-making, which leverages the diverse perspectives and expertise of team members to reach consensus and make well informed decisions. This approach not only enhances the quality of decisions but also fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among team members. Another key to team effectiveness is to make decisions based on data rather than opinions or heresy. Both implementation data and outcome data are important to consider in the decision making process, as both impact the creation of goals and the evaluation of success. Data-based decision making involves using screening, progress monitoring, implementation, and other forms of data to make decisions about the identification of the need for supports, the need for continuation, intensification, or discontinuing supports already in place, and the allocation of resources. Focus on prevention Address variables that are relevant and alterable Recognize that changing student academic and/or social behavior involves changing adult behaviors Celebrate as progress is made and barriers are addressed or eliminated Recognize that the school improvement process is continuous; evaluating and changing practices must be ongoing to ensure student success Regularly ask: “What is the simplest thing we can do that will have the greatest impact?” “What environmental change will best support student learning and behavior?” when things are not working What Successful Teams Do