Survey information is particularly useful when combined with other data sources. Comparing data from different sources can strengthen the confidence in any one piece of data and help explain the data. Coming at the same question using different kinds of instruments can often increase the value of your survey results. Fortunately, you already routinely collect or compile many of the kinds of evidence you need, such as graduation statistics and standardized test scores. In this case, you will have to collect new data for only some aspects of your evaluation process.

Schools can usefully compare different kinds of data in at least two ways.

1. Ask whether the data tell the same story:

One Chicago principal engaged an outside consultant to review the Consortium on Chicago School Research individual school report and to work with the leadership team on the implications of the data. One perception drawn from the survey data was that students were having trouble understanding theory and problem-solving in mathematics. Looking at data on student performance, the research team found that students were doing fine in those two areas.

2. Use survey data to understand or explain achievement data:

Chicago schools use survey data to identify factors that might explain test discrepancies between high- and low-performing schools, factors such as hours students spent on homework, time parents spent reading to children, and hours spent watching television, as well as nutrition and health.

All schools and their communities in Rhode Island participate in a survey called School Accountability for Learning and Teaching (SALT), developed by Robert Felner of Rhode Island's National Center for Public Education and Social Policy. The information from the surveys is combined with test results and demographic information. Based on standardized test results, Felner and his associates identified features of high-performing schools. Teacher, student, and parent responses are reported for each feature. Their Web site, http://www.ncpe.uri.edu/, offers one way of displaying data so that schools can easily triangulate the information.