Making Sense of eTAP Data

 Making Sense of eTAP Data: A Practical Guide to Effective Graphing

Using data well is one of the most powerful tools a class teacher has. Within eTAP, the graphing tools allow you to quickly visualise achievement, identify target groups, and have informed professional conversations about next steps.

This blog post walks you through how to analyse your data effectively using eTAP’s built-in graphing features.

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Why Graphing in eTAP Matters

Raw numbers in a markbook can be overwhelming. Graphing allows you to:

• Instantly see patterns and trends

• Identify students working below, at, or above expectations

• Clearly recognise target groups

• Reflect on equity across ethnicity and gender

• Support data-informed planning and reporting

The visual tools are especially powerful during team meetings, appraisal conversations, and whānau reporting discussions.

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Quick Steps: Analysing Data in eTAP

(For Class Teachers)

1️⃣ Ensure All Data Has Been Entered

Before analysing, confirm:

• Assessment results are complete

• No students are missing entries

• Data is accurate and up to date

Incomplete data leads to misleading graphs.

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2️⃣ Choose the Group

Decide whether you want to analyse:

• Whole school

• A specific class

• A particular year level

Be intentional — clarity about your group ensures meaningful insights.

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3️⃣ Select the Markbook

For example:

• Markbook 263 (or your relevant markbook)

Make sure you're in the correct curriculum area and assessment set.

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4️⃣ Check the Year and Folder

• Change the year to 202X if needed

• Ensure the correct folder is selected

It’s easy to accidentally analyse last year’s data — double-check before proceeding.

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5️⃣ Select “Adv / Graph / Print”

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click:

Adv / Graph / Print

This opens the graphing and analysis tools.

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6️⃣ Select the Data to Interrogate

On the left-hand side, tick the assessment data you want to analyse.

Example:

• T3 e-asTTle

You can select multiple data points if comparing across time.

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Choosing the Right Graph

On the right-hand side, you’ll see graphing options. Here’s how to use them effectively:

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📊 Stacker / Expectations with Name

Best for instant understanding and professional conversations

This option:

• Clearly shows students against curriculum expectations

• Displays names for easy identification

• Uses colour coding

• Highlights target students (often shown in yellow)

This is the most useful tool when:

• Identifying students below expectation

• Planning targeted teaching

• Discussing achievement in team meetings

It provides an immediate snapshot of class achievement.

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📈 Ethnic & Gender Graph

Best for reflective practice and equity analysis

This option:

• Breaks data down by ethnicity

• Breaks data down by gender

• Helps identify patterns and disparities

Use this graph to:

• Reflect on equity

• Inform culturally responsive practice

• Guide school-wide discussions

• Ensure no group is being unintentionally underserved

This tool shifts the focus from individuals to systems and patterns.

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Identifying Target Groups

The graphing tools clearly identify:

• Curriculum expectation levels

• Achievement distribution

• Target students (highlighted in yellow)

From here, you can:

• Form instructional groups

• Plan targeted interventions

• Set measurable goals

• Track shifts over time

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Tips for Effective Data Conversations

When using graphs in meetings:

• Start with observations (“I notice…”)

• Identify strengths first

• Then discuss students below expectation

• Ask: What teaching response is needed?

• Revisit data after intervention

The graph is the starting point — not the conclusion.

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Going Deeper: Full eTAP “How-To” Guide

A comprehensive eTAP Full How-To Guide has been shared with staff. If I need a refresher on navigation, setup, or advanced features, refer to that resource alongside this quick-start guide.

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Final Thoughts

Effective use of eTAP graphing transforms data from static numbers into meaningful insight.

When used well, it helps you:

• Clearly see your learners

• Identify equity trends

• Focus on priority students

• Make informed teaching decisions

The key is not just generating the graph — it’s using it to drive action.

Data is most powerful when it leads to better outcomes for learners.