How an NC High School Improved Its Student Accountability Growth Index Score by 10 Points with Data Analytics and Collaboration

Schools constantly collect student data but often don’t have the right tools to bring that data together to see multiple factors of a student’s performance. And seeing that critical data—including grades, attendance, behavior, demographics, and social and emotional learning (SEL) information—helps identify when students are struggling early on. That crucial information informs educators and administrators to make sound decisions that impact student success.

According to the 2023 Education Focus Report, a top challenge for school districts is connecting data to deliver more usable insights. Only two in 10 educators can say with certainty which interventions are working and have data to back it up.

North Iredell High School in central North Carolina is overcoming the challenge of connecting data to reveal deeper student insights. By collaborating and looking at student data with PowerSchool Student Analytics, the school was able to turn around a negative student growth index score to help get students back on track. 

In 2018, North Iredell High School students registered a negative School Accountability Growth Index score, indicating they were falling well short of projected academic expectations. The growth index score is based on factors such as standardized testing results, individual student growth, expected growth based on demographics, and value-added assessments.

In 2019, the district hired Diana Jones as the new North Iredell High School principal. Jones prioritized data analytics and collaboration with her academic teams to see a comprehensive view of student performance based on a wide range of relevant data.

How Did North Iredell High Staff Collaborate Around Data?

Principal Jones understood the importance of data-driven decision-making in improving student outcomes. Determined to build a thriving data culture, she implemented weekly Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) with her administrative team, teachers, and content coaches. During these meetings, they discussed intervention and personalized learning strategies to help get struggling students back on track. Specifically, they looked at multiple aspects of student performance, including upcoming standards, assessments, grades, attendance, and behavior. 

Every Monday, teachers gathered with content coaches to engage in student-centered discussions. They analyzed each student’s progress individually, assessing where they currently stood and identifying areas that needed improvement. The teacher and content coach created a personalized action plan if a student was struggling.

The team used Student Analytics to pull both PowerSchool and non-PowerSchool data into the platform. Data dashboards provided comprehensive insights into student performance, allowing the team to determine appropriate professional development strategies. By understanding how students performed in different subjects, the teachers could develop targeted approaches to close any identified gaps.

“If done right with PowerSchool, it really causes a common language among your entire faculty,” says Jones. “Conversations center around attendance, behavior, academics, safety, supports, and MTSS, and that will drive everything. That will drive your core plans, your school improvement plan, your language with your parents, and the language you have with the students in your classroom.”

Seeing the Results: a 10-Point Growth Index Score Improvement

In three years, Jones’ students improved their School Accountability Growth Index score by over 10 points. The positive turnaround highlights the power of data paired with staff who embrace a strong data culture.

Student Analytics, combined with PowerSchool SIS (student information system) and PowerSchool Enrollment—both part of the Student Information Cloud—have helped teachers districtwide look at data more to pinpoint struggling students. Bolstered by robust edtech products and a thriving data culture, district administrators say everyone is getting involved and becoming more accountable in looking at the data, taking action, and following through to drive student success.