Context: TEA hosted a recent Insight to Impact Dashboards (I2I) training on how to get the most out of the Candidate Characteristics Dashboard. To ensure that the lesson sticks, we created a fun, interactive “treasure hunt” for EPP staff to practice finding actionable insights about their respective programs.
Goal: Access dashboards to locate specific data points, interpret what they mean, and identify at least one way you could apply the insight to strengthen your EPP.
Skills: Since practice makes perfect, here’s a tiny challenge for EPP staff who want to get more familiar with their data. The idea is to offer a new mini challenge after each dashboard training event so EPP staff can get into the habit of playing more with their data.
Prizes: Those who complete the treasure hunt and email TEA will not only be featured in the EPP Newsletter but also receive a prize (in addition to a hard-earned high-five)!
How to Play (5-10 minutes)
- Open the Insight to Impact Dashboards.
- Answer each question by finding the value in the dashboard and writing/typing it down in the blank fields below.
- Copy and paste the answers to the questions above and email them to Stefan.Swiat@tea.texas.gov to receive your recognition and prize!
Ground Rules
- Use only data available in the dashboards—no guessing.
- Review the filter you used (e.g., school year, grade, subgroup, site, program, etc.).
- If you get stuck, try changing one filter at a time to see what updates.
Mini-Challenge: Candidate Characteristics Dashboard
- In the most recent year/cohort shown, how many candidates are admitted, enrolled, completed, and certified (as available)?
Admitted: ________ Enrolled: ________ Completed: ________ Certified: ________ - Choose one characteristic (e.g., certification route, race/ethnicity, gender, age, certification area). What subgroup makes up the largest share of your candidates?
Characteristic chosen: ____________________
Largest subgroup: ____________________ (____%) - Identify a shift over time: Compare the year before to the most recent year: what noticeably increased or decreased?
Shift observed: ____________________ Evidence: ____________________ - Practice using the filters: Pick one more characteristic _____. Using the existing characteristic above and the one you just selected, how many candidates were certified in 2022 at your EPP?
Answer: ________