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Which DDD Helpdesk changes would help you to use the dashboard better, or more often? Click here or scan the code with your cell phone to vote.

ON THE
DDD CALENDAR

Learn from the best! Over the next two weeks you can join the experts for a recap on using DDD to meet D3 circular requirements, plus advice from fellow officials. Click any link below to reserve a seat, or book via the Learning Hub.

TOPIC: Login and navigation.
New to DDD or in need of a recap? Join us for a step-by-step view of how to log in, navigate and use the DDD Dashboard.

TOPIC: D3 and DDD for Primary Schools. A recap on using the Learner Chart Report to improve school performance, in line with D3 Circular requirements.

TOPIC: D3 and DDD for High Schools. A recap on using FET Promotions Profiling to improve school performance, in line with D3 Circular requirements.

TOPIC: Sharing my story. Insights, lessons learnt and tips from fellow DBE officials, on how to use the DDD Dashboard to make your work more effective.

DATA NEWS
AND UPDATES

LAST PUSH BEFORE YEAR-END:
Let data be your guide

In the run-up to year-end exams, many districts have already kicked off their last push efforts, intensifying learner camps and catch-up campaigns to ensure exam readiness. Like Tshwane South’s Chief Education Specialist Cetric Modise (above), many officials are turning to DDD to ensure their efforts are on target. The FET Promotion Profiling report is your go-to tool for supporting Grade 12s, but submitting your Term 3 data is even more important! Submit today, and then log in to get started.



TEACHER TIP #1 Learner Chart Report Spot learning gaps early by downloading the Learner Chart Report for your class. Use it to track performance over time; to identify if a learner’s struggles are individual or part of a trend; and to compare performance with attendance.	TEACHER TIP #2 Learner Profiling Use DDD’s FET, Senior Phase or Intermediate Phase profiling tools to create a holistic view of your learner/s and possible risks. This helps you to better understand the reasons behind any ups and downs shown in the Learner Chart Report.	TEACHER TIP #3 Show your work Use DDD reports during parent-teacher discussions (and when handing out report cards) to show why and where a child will benefit from extra help, and so that parents can see the data on which you’ve based your recommendations.


	TEACHERS’ GUIDE: USING DATA TO CLOSE THE GAPS

	STEP 1: Log in to DDD (as a teacher you will have PI access to view learner data) and filter to your school, grade, subject and term. Example: You’re a Grade 8 Maths teacher: select “Grade 8”, “Maths” and Term 2 2025. STEP 2: Access DDD’s Learner Chart Report to see the number of learners who achieved distinctions, near distinctions or near fails. Example: This might show that a large number passed Maths with less than 5% to spare. This could mean they are at greater risk of not passing Maths in Term 3. STEP 3: Access DDD’s Subject Trends report to compare marks with the previous five terms. A consistent drop over time could mean the risk is greater than expected, whereas an upward trend could mean that interventions are having a positive impact, and marks might continue improving. STEP 4: Access the Attendance Trends section to see if there are any absenteeism patterns that might be affecting marks. You can also check subject breakdowns at an individual learner level (using DDD’s Senior Phase Promotions Profile tool) to pinpoint problem areas. Example: In Grade 8 Maths, a learner might score well in arithmetic but poorly in geometry. STEP 5: Decide what actions to take next. Example: Small group support for geometry; catch-up sessions for learners with low attendance; or pairing strong learners with weaker ones for peer support. STEP 6: Track progress over time to see if at-risk learners improve. Example: If the number of “near fail” Maths learners reduces, while the number of near distinctions increases, those catch-up sessions are working well! Want to know more? Visit www.dbedashboard.co.za

		TOP OF THE CLASS: Pixley Ka Seme’s data-driven turnaround

		By the end of 2024, Pixley Ka Seme in the Northern Cape had emerged as the most improved school district in South Africa. And it’s thanks to the power of data-driven decision making, recalls District Director, Mr Freddy Silengile. “In 2021, our district didn’t perform well. Our pass rate was at 68%.” That trajectory changed in late 2022 when the Department of Basic Education introduced the district to training on the Data Driven Districts (DDD) Dashboard. “For the first time, we got to categorise learners and identify them by performance using the DDD Learner Chart Report,” says Silengile. Weekly uploads from all 85 schools created a culture of accountability and evidence-based planning. The results were immediate: matric performance jumped by 9,5% in 2022, making Pixley Ka Seme the most improved district in the province. Although results dipped briefly in 2023, Silengile pushed for continued training in 2024 – and it worked. “First term, we performed at 82%. Second term, 85%. By the last term, boom – we performed at 85,4%, making Pixley the most improved district in South Africa.” Today, data use is embedded at every level of the district. “Every official and every teacher uses data to plan and take decisions,” Silengile affirms. Pixley Ka Seme’s story is proof that when data is harnessed effectively, lasting transformation (and a first-rate report card!) is possible.


		To share feedback on this newsletter email: Communication@newleaders.co.za				For DDD technical assistance contact: help@dbedashboard.co.za



		dbedashboard		The DDD programme is an initiative of the Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and New Leaders Foundation.

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