#6: Deep Dive into Monitoring Student Achievement for California Charter School Board Members with Vanessa Garza of GALS LA

Board members should make data-informed decisions in both school finance and in supporting student success.  But that data can be voluminous and confusing. Join Caitlin O’Halloran Hellar and GALS Executive Director, Vanessa Garza as they define assessment terms and types, talk about effective practices for board presentations and even consider some questions board members might ask when the data is presented to them.   Show notes:   For the free powerpoint deck covering the topics discussed in this podcast, go to chartercenter.org/boardingpass. Join CSDC today for direct access to California's most experienced charter school specialists, who provide personalized technical assistance, extensive resources, and expert guidance on everything from governance to operations. Members save thousands on professional development while gaining password-protected access to essential tools, templates, and exclusive training programs that help their entire leadership team navigate the complexities of charter school management. Takeaways: Vanessa Garza emphasizes the importance of monitoring vulnerable student groups. Data collection should include both academic and social-emotional metrics. Understanding formative, cumulative, and summative data is crucial for board members. Regular data collection helps in making timely instructional adjustments. Staffing challenges require innovative leadership development strategies. Board members should ask specific questions about data presented to them. Engaging in data discussions fosters a culture of learning among board members. Transparency in data presentation builds trust and accountability. New board members should feel empowered to ask questions and learn. Keywords: charter schools, governance, student achievement, data collection, board member responsibilities, educational leadership, California