Teachers are inundated with data, but none of those numbers will help if they're not paired with some accessible and informative data literacy training. This podcast seeks to empower teachers with the skills they'll need to turn the data given to them into powerful instructional practices. Recorded by educators within Wake County Public School System's Data, Research, and Accountability Department in Raleigh, NC. Learn more about the show as well as access data and assessment literacy resources at www.wcpss.net/datalit
Rethinking Daily Feedback with Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is so much more than a digital tool or an end-of-lesson quiz. It is a continuous verb that fuels daily classroom instruction. In this episode, we connect little "a" assessment directly to cognitive science and how the brain actually processes new learning. We step away from heavy tech platforms to walk you through the three-stage lesson cycle across the before, during, and after phases, showing how quick, real-time checks can guide learning without increasing your workload. Tune in as we share practical, low-prep ideas you can use in your classroom tomorrow.
Research & resources from the episode:
#FormativeTech: Meaningful, Sustainable & Scalable Formative Assessment with Technology by Monica Burns (https://bookshop.org/p/books/formativetech-meaningful-sustainable-and-scalable-formative-assessment-with-technology-monica-burns/c034366ff2fb0285?ean=9781506361895&bkshp-astro=t)
Data Lit series on Assessment Types (https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/data-lit/season-one/assessment-types-series)
Edutopia: 13 Super-Quick Formative Assessments (https://www.edutopia.org/article/quick-formative-assessments?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21123970456&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkt_UBhDMARIsALpnOAxkTtF8J6P_DloRShdAJru6jcvdRvt_SQst67Y4jiVfQ1SpTBGgiXcaAmjtEALw_wcB)
NWEA: 27 easy formative assessment strategies for gathering evidence of student learning (https://www.nwea.org/blog/2026/easy-formative-assessment-strategies-for-gathering-evidence-of-student-learning/)
Data Lit series on Assessment Methods
(https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/data-lit/season-one/assessment-methods-series)
WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here (https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/data-lit/ceus).
Theme music by Enloe High School’s Andre Killian
Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler
Contact us via our website (https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/data-lit/about-us) or at datalit@wcpss.net
21 Sept 2026
Reclaiming Accountability: Shifting from Judgement to True School Improvement
Imagine a famous food critic came into your kitchen, tasted your dish, gave you a score, and left. That rating would tell you where you stand, but it would do nothing to help you grow as a chef. In this episode of Data Lit, we dive into the Center for Assessment’s report titled: Reclaiming Accountability to unpack why traditional school rating systems fall into this exact same trap. We break down the faulty assumptions that reduce data to simple labels and highlight the perspective shifts needed to drive real teaching and learning. Tune in to discover how we can shift our mindset from post-mortem measurement to continuous, meaningful improvement.
Research & resources from the episode:
Center for Assessment: Reclaiming Accountability: From Measurement and Labeling to Learning and Improvement (https://www.nciea.org/blog/reclaiming-accountability-from-labels-to-learning/)
Center for Assessment: Strengthening Ties Between Accountability and School Improvement (https://www.nciea.org/blog/strengthening-ties-between-school-accountability-and-improvement/)
Center for Assessment: Strengthening Ties Between Accountability and School Improvement (https://www.nciea.org/blog/strengthening-ties-between-school-accountability-and-improvement/)
School Reform from the Inside Out by Richard Elmore (https://bookshop.org/p/books/school-reform-from-the-inside-out-policy-practice-and-performance-richard-f-elmore/c6a312f23371d8b2?ean=9781891792243&bkshp-astro=t)
WCPSS’ School Progress Reports
(https://www.wcpss.net/about-us/facts-and-figures)
WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here (https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/data-lit/ceus).
Theme music by Enloe High School’s Andre Killian
Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler
Contact us via our website (https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/data-lit/about-us) or at datalit@wcpss.net
Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System (https://www.wcpss.net/)
8 Sept 2026
From Vision to Impact with Chief of Academic Advancement Dr. Mellotta Hill
Dr. Mellotta Hill, WCPSS' Chief of Academic Advancement, joins the podcast to share how she, as a district leader, bridges the gap between instructional vision and real classroom impact. Drawing from over 33 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and district leader, Dr. Hill shares insights into how her teams support the attendance, academics, and behavior of our young scholars while ensuring every effort is measured for meaningful success. Dr. Hill also redefines accountability as a tool for ownership and alignment, explaining how she keeps every initiative grounded in her core mantra: shaping the future one child at a time.
For more on WCPSS’ Learning Model, click here (https://www.wcpss.net/academics).
WCPSS staff can earn credit for listening to and reflecting on completed series. Learn more here (https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/data-lit/ceus).
Theme music by Enloe High School’s Andre Killian
Hosts: Mellisa Smith and Spencer Ziegler
Contact us via our website (https://sites.google.com/wcpss.net/data-lit/about-us) or at datalit@wcpss.net
Data, Research, and Accountability department for the Wake County Public School System (https://www.wcpss.net/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Contact Data Lit
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Data Lit?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
