Don’t Let Test Spring Scores Collect Dust: A Plan for Data-Driven Action

Spring testing season may be behind us, but for testing and data teams, the work is far from over. Once the scores roll in, the focus shifts from logistics to insight — and ultimately, to action. But what does it really take to move from testing to targeted support?

In this edition of Conversations with Educators, we sat down with two seasoned leaders — Mary Desern, Coordinator of Data & Assessment at Bryan ISD, and Blake Emmons, Director of Student Assessment at Pasadena ISD — to unpack how they approach post-testing priorities. Moderated by Lara Miller from the Sales team and Max Gregory from the Customer Success team, the discussion tackled everything from identifying retesters to communicating with instructional teams, all while keeping student needs front and center.

Why Is Spring Data So Important — and So Often Underused?

Desern: Once the scores come in, people breathe a sigh of relief — but really, that’s when the critical work begins. The data is rich, but only if we stop to ask: What is it telling us about what our students need next?

Emmons: It’s easy to treat testing like a finish line, but it’s really a starting point. You can’t just look at the scores — you have to understand the story behind them. What happened during instruction? Where are the patterns?

What’s the First Step You Take When Test Results Are Released?

Desern: We immediately run a list of students who didn’t pass — especially those tied to graduation requirements. We ask, “Who needs support right now?” Then we connect with campuses so they can plan interventions and retesting logistics.

Emmons: For us, it’s about tiering our focus. Priority one is retesters. Then we look at trends by campus and student group — not just what’s high or low, but where we made growth or need to dig deeper.

How Do You Turn That Data into Action for Other Departments?

Emmons: We prep custom data decks for each campus. They’re simplified — just the key takeaways, comparison charts, and a few reflection questions. It helps principals and teams focus on what matters without getting buried in raw numbers.

Desern: We also do side-by-sides of state vs. district vs. campus — not to call people out, but to spark conversations. It’s about building shared ownership of outcomes.

How Do You Communicate Data Insights Without Overwhelming Your Teams?

Desern: Less is more. I always ask: “What do I want this person to do with the data?” If they can’t take action, it’s noise. We’re intentional about who gets what, and we deliver it in digestible formats — charts, color-coding, short summaries.

Emmons: I’ll never send a spreadsheet without a key takeaway at the top. It’s like a headline — what do you want them to notice, reflect on, or follow up with?

What Role Does Assessment Data Play in Planning for the Next School Year?

Desern: A huge one. We use it to anticipate staffing needs, plan PD, and build our assessment calendar. If a grade level struggled across multiple campuses, we ask: what support do teachers need before next year?

Emmons: We’re looking at accommodations, testing formats, timing — all of it. The more we learn from this year, the better we plan for next year.

How Do You Keep Students From Slipping Through the Cracks?

Desern: It starts with naming them. When we run our data, every student who didn’t meet a requirement is tagged and shared with campuses. No one should be surprised in August that a student needs support.

Emmons: I think of it like checkpoints. We don’t wait until the fall — we check in over the summer, and we make sure campus leaders are clear on who needs what, and when.

Final Thoughts: What Would You Tell Other Leaders Reviewing Spring Data Right Now?

Desern: Don’t sit on the scores. Set a meeting, start a conversation, and connect the dots. If you wait, the window to act closes quickly.

Emmons: Focus on what’s actionable. You don’t need to solve every problem, but you do need to move forward. Even small steps — like cleaning up your retester list or prepping a reflection guide — can have a big impact.

Key Takeaways for Using Spring Testing Data Effectively

• Identify retesters early and act fast to plan interventions.
• Summarize insights for non-assessment teams in visual, digestible ways.
• Look at patterns, not just pass rates — what story is the data telling?
• Use results to guide next year’s planning, including staffing, accommodations, and PD.
• Create a repeatable post-testing protocol for reviewing and acting on data.
• Center students — by name, by need, and in every conversation.

From Scores to Support: Now’s the Time to Act

The scores are in, but the story isn’t over. As this conversation made clear, the value of assessment data lies in what we do with it — how we translate numbers into decisions, and decisions into outcomes. By starting early, thinking collaboratively, and staying focused on students, educators can turn post-testing overwhelm into a clear, coordinated game plan.

If you missed the live webinar, you can watch the full session here to hear the full conversation and access helpful tips for planning your next steps.