Advocates Underscore a National Focus on Data in Education
May 10, 2021
“The data moment has arrived,” says Data Quality Campaign President and CEO Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger in a piece for the 74 Million. Citing the prioritization of data collection and use throughout a number of Executive Orders and strategies employed by President Joe Biden, Bell-Ellwanger says, “it’s a brand new day, and it’s time to pivot from tinkering around the margins on data to thinking big about how to begin to use new information and tools to solve the nation’s most complex and vexing problems” – including education. She continues by highlighting ways states can or already have begun revamping their data systems using existing laws and funding streams, like those detailed in the Every Student Succeeds Act, Perkins V career and technical programs, and the spate of COVID relief bills pumping money into schools.
Bell-Ellwanger’s case for data builds on a recent piece from Jamil Modaffari and Laura Jiminez at the Center for American Progress, who took the conversation on data to parents and school leaders to highlight the forms of data that they want and need to improve outcomes for children. Across the board, parents and school leaders stated their desire for more robust Opportunity to Learn data, which according to CAP includes “student access to high-quality curriculum, instruction, and programs; supportive school and classroom environments; highly effective educators; student supports; class sizes; and access to technology.” The authors conclude by saying that, “When families are engaged in their child’s learning and have access to actionable, meaningful data, they can support learning at home and make the best educational decisions for their children.”