"We in leadership need to think differently about what our users—educators, support staff, parents—need out of data," said Ryan Gravette, director of information and technology at the Idaho Digital Learning Acadamy in Idaho.

Across the nation, educator shortages continue unabated. But leaders in these three states are hoping to change the narrative through teacher-centered reform.

"Rising food costs, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions, coupled with the return of charging for meals, have contributed to reports of declining participation in many school districts," a new report reads.

Leaders in district after district, sometimes with prodding from state legislators, are now rolling back more lenient restorative discipline policies and relying again on suspensions and other measures to address disruptive behavior.