What does it look like when a school uses data wisely? "Data Wise in Action", a new companion and sequel to the bestselling "Data Wise", tells the stories of eight very different schools following the Data Wise process of using assessment results to improve teaching and learning. "Data Wise in Action" highlights the leadership challenges schools face in each phase of the eight-step Data Wise cycle and illustrates how staff members use creativity and collaboration to overcome those challenges. "Data Wise in Action" builds on the work of leading faculty and graduate students at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, who joined with exemplary practitioners in 2005 to produce "Data Wise: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Assessment Results to Improve Teaching and Learning". Since its publication, "Data Wise" has been read by thousands of school leaders, many of whom have shared the book with colleagues and staff. The success of the original book has generated a new demand among school leaders: to hear real stories from schools that are implementing the Data Wise process. "Data Wise in Action" answers that need. It offers both inspiration and practical guidance for school leaders. This book contains three sections. Section I, "Prepare", contains: (1) Organizing for Collaborative Work: Pond Cove Elementary School Lays the Groundwork (David P. Ronka); and (2) Building Assessment Literacy: Newton North High School Gets Smart about Data (Rebecca A. Thessin). Section II, "Inquire", contains: (3) Creating a Data Overview: McKay K-8 School Learns to Lead with Data (Mark B. Teoh); (4) Digging into Data: West Hillsborough Elementary School Dives Deep (Thomas Tomberlin); and (5) Examining Instruction: Murphy K-8 School Unlocks the Classroom (Trent E. Kaufman). Section III, "Act", contains: (6) Developing an Action Plan: Two Rivers Public Charter School Focuses on Instruction (Michelle L. Forman); (7) Planning to Assess Progress: Mason Elementary School Refines an Instructional Strategy (Sarah E. Fiarman); (8) Acting and Assessing: Community Academy Gets Serious about Homework (Jennifer L. Steele); and (9) Building Learning Organizations by Using Data Wisely (Kathryn Parker Boudett). A preface, an introduction by Kathryn Parker Boudett and Jennifer L. Steele, and an index are included. [For the related books, see "Data Wise: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Assessment Results to Improve Teaching and Learning" (ED515275) and "Key Elements of Observing Practice: A Data Wise DVD and Facilitator's Guide (ED515273).]