How can educators gather meaningful data that actually reflects student thinking—without over-relying on benchmarks or labels?

In this episode of the Time for Teachership podcast, Lindsay is joined by Dr. Jana Lee to explore how teachers, coaches, and instructional leaders can collect and analyze data that shows what students truly understand, how they're thinking, and where learning breaks down. Together, they unpack mindset shifts around assessment, flexible grouping, and skill-based instruction—and why these approaches are essential for inclusive, equitable classrooms.

Dr. Jana Lee shares practical strategies for using student work artifacts, observation, and in-the-moment checks for understanding to guide instruction, support coaching cycles, and measure real impact on student learning.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why measuring student thinking matters more than measuring "levels"

• The shift from leveled grouping to skill-based, flexible grouping

• How to collect data during instruction—not just at benchmark time

• What kinds of student artifacts best reveal thinking and misconceptions

• How instructional leaders can create systems (PLCs, coaching, look-fors) that support meaningful data use

• Why giving students 60–90 seconds of independent struggle is critical

• How consistency across classrooms increases student achievement

• Practical ways to assess thinking in both secondary and elementary settings

• The role of transparency, shared goals, and co-created success criteria in school improvement

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Dr. Jana Lee
• 01:00 – Why measuring student learning and coaching impact matters
• 01:45 – Big dreams for education & inclusive outcomes for all students
• 03:10 – Mindset shifts around assessment and grouping students
• 04:50 – Moving from leveled groups to skill-based, flexible grouping
• 06:00 – How in-the-moment data reduces stigma and supports equity
• 08:28 – Collecting classroom data that reflects real student learning
• 09:37 – Connecting benchmark data with daily instructional evidence
• 10:51 – Why consistency across classrooms increases achievement
• 12:58 – Structures instructional leaders can use (PLCs, coaching, goals)
• 14:38 – Co-creating look-fors and success criteria
• 16:55 – Using patterns and themes in data to guide support
• 19:03 – Student artifacts as powerful evidence of thinking
• 20:12 – Diagnosing errors in thinking vs. right/wrong answers
• 21:38 – Gathering meaningful data in elementary classrooms
• 23:34 – Creative ways to assess thinking beyond writing
• 25:33 – Why skill-based strategies must be content-agnostic
• 26:24 – Biggest challenge teachers face with data collection
• 26:50 – Letting students struggle independently (60–90 seconds)
• 27:46 – One action listeners can take tomorrow
• 28:05 – What Dr. Lee is learning now: adolescent reading comprehension
• 28:59 – Where to connect with Dr. Jana Lee
• 29:30 – Closing reflections

Key Takeaways

• Student achievement data should be paired with classroom evidence of how students think

• Written, oral, behavioral, and tactile artifacts can all reveal learning

• Effective remediation starts with diagnosing where thinking breaks down

• Inclusive instruction happens when decisions are responsive, not based on preconceived beliefs

• Skill-based instruction across content areas creates coherence for students

Get Your Episode Freebie & More Resources On My Website: https://www.lindsaybethlyons.com/blog/244

Connect With Guest Dr. Jana Lee:

• Instagram: @jana.c.lee

• Website: www.janaleeconsulting.com