We believe teachers are best placed to understand what works to increase student and teaching outcomes.
But until now they haven’t had the tools or training to accurately identify, measure and improve outcomes; to request and direct resourcing; or share best practice widely. This platform changes that.
Currently most decisions are made from flawed data, based on noise. We are the platform to reduce the noise, and make sure the data, decisions and actions are sound.
We increase teacher impact by equipping them with the power of sound data.
REMOVE THE NOISE FROM DATA
We’re the only platform using longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses to create statistically valid conclusions from source data. We filter out the noise and flag the trends and changes that only have a 5% chance of being noise. Currently, most decisions are made on trends that are not reflective of the real state of things. Flawed data can lead to flawed decisions.
SHARING BEST PRACTICE
Teaching is an evolving and collaborative discipline. The way we improve is by experimentation and iteration, by identifying successful initiatives and sharing and implementing them widely. We help educators isolate excellence and apply it within a department, and across departments.
COACHING HIGH CONFIDENCE DECISION MAKING
Once you have a statistically valid signal a change is occurring / has occurred, the next step is to interpret the data to understand what elements may have changed, and form a hypothesis. We coach and empower teachers to identify, isolate and interrogate factors, and create plans to implement and evaluate interventions.
MEANINGFUL IMPACT
When high confidence decisions are based on statistically valid data, magic happens. By concentrating effort where it’s most needed, you can create outsize results in student and teaching outcomes. Teachers are always working hard. By focussing effort where it is truly most needed, and standardising excellence, you can create the most impact, and make meaningful change.
PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATIONS
``Sound data has provided us with tools we need to engage in meaningful data analysis. It clears the wood from the trees and enables staff and senior leaders to compare data sets with accuracy and authenticity. The technology refines the process to quickly highlight areas of improvement and areas requiring further support and development. The extra hands-on support from Darcy for our middle leaders has authenticated the data analysis process and reinforced their role as reflective practitioners and leaders of learning within their departments.``ANDREW TURNER
Principal | Gisborne Boys' High School
“Sounds Data aggregates student assessment information across a wide variety of platforms: calendar years, year levels, gender and ethnicity. User friendly dashboards are created as cutting edge interfaces for the presentation of this student achievement information. At the click of a mouse trends are reported in formats that provide clarity for teachers and leaders to identify student success. Learning gaps are evident for next steps in teaching and learning, programme planning, resourcing and professional development. Sounds Data is the next iteration of using student achievement information for future success.``JUDY NICOLL
Principal (Retired) | Makauri School
“We strongly endorse the use of Sound data in helping with school wide data analysis. We have made use of Sound Data for the past two years in the analysis of our NCEA grades. Staff have valued the clarity of the data presented, especially the areas of significant difference that are clearly visible. They have also benefited from the guided discussions unpacking the data and planning on a strategy for improvement. The BOT has also appreciated the consistency of presentation and the use of statistically validated data to guide next steps in improvement.”PAUL McGUINNESS
Principal | Campion College