Lesson: Validating and Auditing Data - Activities and Instruction

Item

• Using the Basic Data Auditing Steps and the Detailed Data Auditing Steps diagrams, discuss the ways that checking for errors (data auditing) fits into the cycle of producing and consuming data.
• Delineate the elements of a data audit:
  • Reports
  • Analysis of data in reports
  • Identification of data anomalies
  • Determination of which anomalies are errors and which are the result of changes in the LEA
  • Locating sources of errors and sources of correct data
  • Communication to appropriate staff of errors detected and how they will be corrected
  • Correction of problems
  • Development of any change in procedure needed to prevent further similar errors and communication of such changes to appropriate staff
• Show examples of data reports.
• Have participants fill out a Data Audit Planning Form based on the External Reports and Curricular Decisionmaking sections of the Data Calendar Planning Form that the participants filled out in the Developing a Data Calendar session, and the Possible Data Errors form they completed in the Types of Data Errors session. Point out that filling in the “Time Needed” columns will be estimates (in days or weeks).
• Discuss in small groups the potential obstacles to implementing the data audit plan they have outlined.

Lesson Resources for Activities and Instruction

• Basic Data Auditing Steps (14 KB)
• Detailed Data Auditing Steps (20 KB)
• Possible Data Errors (10 KB) (also used in the Types of Data Errors lesson)
• Data Calendar Planning Form (9 KB) (also used in the Developing a Data Calendar lesson)
• Data Audit Planning Form (8 KB)