Data, Using (Accountability)

Using data to make decisions is commonplace in education. Types of data collected include demographic information, student achievement, and data related to the instructional process. Unfortunately, data often goes unused or underused in schools while other potentially useful forms of data are not collected at all. Reasons for this include existing data being inaccessible, a lack of training in how to use data, a fear that data will be used in a punitive manner, or the belief that data has little value. When strategically collected, data can be used for a variety of reasons such as research on accountability and the improvement of services. Additionally, access to data can help make a difficult or unpopular decision easier to make, can potentially guard funds, and may challenge assumptions or beliefs.

Regardless of the type of data that is collected, within the education literature a number of suggestions are made for effective data use to occur in schools. First, a data-friendly...