Which action should a school leader take to analyze student work on campus?

The action to audit student work samples and discuss the results with teachers is the most effective approach for analyzing student work on campus. This practice fosters a collaborative environment where educators can engage in meaningful conversations about student performance. By reviewing actual work samples, school leaders can gather concrete evidence of learning, identify trends or areas where students may be struggling, and celebrate successes. This data-driven dialogue encourages educators to reflect on their instructional practices and consider how they can improve outcomes for all students.

In contrast, monitoring teacher grade books primarily offers insights into grading practices rather than a deep understanding of student learning. Hosting a science fair, while beneficial for showcasing student projects, does not provide a systematic analysis of student work across the curriculum. Mandating the use of portfolios may promote student reflection and ownership of their learning, but without the collaborative analysis of student work samples, it may not produce actionable insights into overall student performance. Thus, auditing and discussing student work directly supports comprehensive analysis and professional development among teachers.