Diversity in school performance feedback systems

As data-based decision making is receiving increased attention in education, more and more school performance feedback systems (SPFSs) are being developed and used worldwide. These systems provide schools with data on their functioning. However, little research is available on the characteristics of the different SPFSs. Therefore, this study reflects on the characteristics of SPFSs to provide feedback designers and users arguments for making sound choices in selecting SPFSs with particular characteristics. The results of our study show that the 5 SPFSs selected for the purpose of comparison differ with respect to features related to data gathering and data analysis processes, the content, and the numerical measures and representation modes used. A wide variety can be detected in terms of the complexity and accuracy of data modeling. Users need to be properly informed about the underlying rationale for the features of each SPFS, and on the limitations and strengths of the performance indicators used