Master Data Driven Decision Making in Educational Leadership

The rise of big data in education has created an unprecedented opportunity for leaders to refine and improve key strategies that affect student outcomes. While this represents a significant opportunity for educators, the implementation of new data-centric techniques requires buy-in from a range of stakeholders.

Data-driven decision-making (DDDM) in education involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting vast reams of information. This refined data can be used to make strategic choices about a vast array of topics, from curriculum and instruction to resource management and policy development.¹

Read on to learn how an evidence-based approach enables educational leaders to make informed decisions about issues that directly impact student success.

There is a strong connection between data insights and student learning outcomes.² Schools that implement robust data-driven decision-making in education have shown larger gains in academic achievement among their student body relative to schools that have not taken this step.² Moreover, data-driven approaches to teaching have proven helpful in improving equity through targeted interventions.

Big data methods are able to separate performance data across different student populations, making it easier for leaders to identify achievement gaps. This enables educators to implement proven, targeted strategies to assist specific underserved groups.

Furthermore, educational leaders using data in school leadership also benefit from the enhanced transparency brought about by data-driven decision-making. You can more easily justify your choices and create a clear and credible strategy when you're able to point to specific data points that back up your approach. This clarity extends to other important stakeholders:

• Parents 
• Elected officials
• School board members
• Community partners 

A one-size-fits-all approach rarely leads to the best outcomes for diverse student bodies. Instead, using data to pinpoint underperformance is a more effective way to improve student outcomes. Utilizing this data opens the door for targeted interventions, which allow educators to allocate their limited time and energy far more effectively to the students who need it most.

For data-driven decision-making to be truly effective in education, you need access to comprehensive, reliable information. Retrieving this data from multiple sources also helps you avoid potential blind spots and other deficiencies. Adopting effective educational leadership strategies can help you understand how best to find the right data for your organization.

Although the precise information you need may differ depending on your school's unique factors, any educator should have a firm grip on the following basic facts:

• Student enrollment patterns
• Drop-out rates
• Demographic trends
• Student engagement
• Year-on-year standardized test scores
• Disciplinary data and other information related to behavioral problems

As an educator, it's vital to have a complete view of your student population. Operating holistically maximizes your opportunities to create favorable academic outcomes, particularly for historically underserved populations.

In order to successfully implement data-driven practices, you'll need to create an organizational culture that values evidence-based decision-making at every level.³ By establishing a shared vision and goals, you can lay the groundwork for a profound cultural transformation at your school. It's vitally important for leaders to articulate clear expectations about the ways in which data will guide decision-making processes going forward.

Modeling data literacy at the leadership level demonstrates commitment to evidence-based practices. It also offers concrete examples for teachers to learn from.

Embracing a systematic approach to data-driven decision making can help create successful outcomes for your team. Consider implementing the following steps at your school:

1. Set measurable goals aligned with strategic plans by identifying and pursuing specific outcomes connected to a broader goal.
2. Collect and clean data to ensure quality and privacy.
3. Analyze and visualize the data with dashboards and reports that help break down otherwise complex datapoints.
4. Act on insights through instructional or policy changes that target identified needs and opportunities. 
5. Monitor and iterate through cycles of continuous-improvement that incorporate feedback.

As a modern educational leader, you have access to a broad array of sophisticated technological tools that can be used for data collection and analysis. Learning management systems (LMS) analytics are one example of a tool you might use to attain real-time insights into student performance.⁴

You may also take advantage of data warehouses and interoperability platforms to integrate data from multiple sources. This can help you get a bird's-eye view of your school's overall performance.

Finally, predictive analytics and early-warning systems use sophisticated pattern-matching technology to identify those students most in need of early intervention for issues relating to academic performance or classroom behavior.

The techniques and technology for data are always advancing, so staying up to date on these tools is key. Your team must engage in ongoing professional development and capacity building in order to effectively implement the most up-to-date data-driven practices. Workshops for teachers and other staff can provide essential skills for effective data use.

Other tools such as coaching models, data teams, PLCs, and peer mentoring can build your staff members' data literacy over time. Finally, partnerships with universities or ed-tech companies can give staff access to expertise and resources that might not be otherwise available.

Implementing effective data-driven decision-making in education leadership requires sophisticated knowledge and hands-on skills. However, doing so is absolutely worth it given the benefits available to schools and students alike. You can enhance your organization's overall efficiency by creating new opportunities for targeted intervention. Collecting and analyzing data offers unparalleled clarity and insight into your student population.

Managing these complex programs calls for thorough knowledge and training in modern education practices. The University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences offers a flexible online Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) in educational administration that prepares you to provide better support and guidance in this progressive digital world.

Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today to learn more about the admissions process and how attaining an online master's degree through the University of Kansas can change your life and career.