Notes on Education and Data Use

Introduction

• Importance of preparing children for the future.
• Need to address overwhelming statistics in education.

Understanding the Statistics

• Break down statistics into manageable information.
• Use data to help students navigate complex decisions.

Key Questions for Parents and Educators

• How are my kids doing?
• What works to get children on track for success?
• Are students learning enough each year?
• Cost of making students college and career ready?

Outdated Paradigm in Education

• Current data is:
  • Inaccurate
  • Expensive to obtain
  • Difficult to transport
  • Flows only upwards (to policymakers)

Comparison with Other Fields

• Healthcare: Multiple doctors can access portable data.
• Business: Strategic data gathering tailored for resource optimization and ROI.
• Law Enforcement: Use data to preemptively identify issues.

New Paradigm Needed

• Education needs a system where data is:
  • Contextual
  • Reliable
  • Timely
  • Portable
  • Flows in all directions

Benefits of a New Data Approach

• Tailoring data to understand current status and future directions.
• Instant notifications for deviations from the path.
• Ensures children are on the right path.

Conclusion

• Most states have data to answer educational questions.
• Urgency in utilizing data effectively.
• "Data is power" – we must use it to guide children’s education.