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Go With the Flow: Decision Trees to Navigate Categorical Decisions 2012 Title l Conference Ann Hern [email protected] WestEd.org Decisions, Decisions • What is a decision? • A mental process resulting in a course of action • The process of coming to a conclusion or determination • Choosing WestEd.org Decision Making Methodologies • Uninformed decision making might be based on • Drawing possibilities out of a hat • Throwing darts • Using the WAG method • While fun, these methods are likely not optimal! WestEd.org Decision Making Methodologies • Informed decision making is based on a sequential process • • • • Identifying the need Understanding the objective Analyzing the alternatives Evaluating possible solutions/outcomes • Possible benefits • Possible consequences WestEd.org What is a Decision Tree? • Minimally, a Decision Tree is • A visual representation of a decision making process • A question and answer analysis WestEd.org Decision Trees • Decision Trees used to their full potential are • A friendly, interactive, and accessible way to work through some common questions and processes found in managing school resources • They are also a a resource that • Provides answers to common questions • Offers caution signs to avoid potential bumps in the road • Suggests “Best Practices” • Encourages consistent practices • Summarizes and simplifies rules WestEd.org Why Decision Trees? • While there are many rules, regulations, and alternatives to consider when managing categorical resources, the answers to these questions are often: • • • • Allowable Not Allowable Supplanting Supplemental WestEd.org So instead of a series of slides…… WestEd.org Let’s try a decision tree WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org Other Common Questions • • • • • • What is core? What is a direct service? Are your centralized services compliant? What needs an allocation plan? Is the plan aligned to goals? Is your plan sustainable? WestEd.org What is Core? WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org What is a Direct Service? WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org Program Requiring Allocation Plans WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org Centralized Services WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org WestEd.org Not Just For Categoricals! • Decision Trees can be adapted to answer questions in almost any situation, they aren’t just for categorical resource management. • Other uses could be • • • • Associated Student Body issues Purchasing processes Facilities use Technology WestEd.org Final Thoughts • Mapping out the optimal, compliant, choices that maximize student achievement isn’t an easy task. • Decision Trees can be a fresh approach when exploring options and confirming best practices and staying within the framework of compliant programs! WestEd.org Thank you! Ann Hern [email protected] 209-482-0577 WestEd.org