Assignment C: Indicators ApplicationUniversity of Regina Educational Administration 310Due date: March 10, 2010

This assignment’s primary purpose is to help professionals interpret statistical information, and to apply that information in a relevant context. It asks you to choose four indicators from the 2009 Saskatchewan Education Indicators Report (Ministry website) and write a short paper. Alternatively, you could choose the most recent edition of the Pan Canadian Education Indicators Report published by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada.

In general, the paper will have four sections: one that a) describes the relevant trend for each indicator in terms of day-to-day school life b) identifies potential causes for the trend c) explains what the implications are for your role as a teacher and d) discusses potential ways in which you may address or adapt to the issues presented in each indicator.

The paper will provide a suitable introduction and conclusion which together draw connections or interrelationships among the indicators. It is not necessary that the indicators be thematically linked. You might choose to organize them by input/ process/ outcome; or by context /cause/consequence, or elementary/middle years/secondary, or by some other organizer. (Note: the four indicators must be attached or clearly identified).

Some questions to keep in mind are:

1. What is the trend (at least three data points) or pattern that is evident here?

2. What is not shown in the graph? How might that influence what is in the graph?

3. From the commentary, what can you determine about the causes (or hypotheses for causes) for the trend or pattern? What are the consequences?

4. Are educators able to bend the line (affect the trend line through their behaviours) or are they creatures of circumstance (unable to control the direction of the line through their behaviours? Why or why not?

5. What negative or positive results will stem from the trend line?

6. What unanticipated byproducts will the trend or pattern have for students, schools or teachers?