Data analysis

There is no single technical solution to this very real type of situation. District administrators must lead the community to prioritize goals and find a consensus solution. The following tips offer leaders ways to use data analysis to shed light on inequities and build trust in proposed solutions.

Collaborate with your community. Convene a task force, town hall meetings, or online forum to develop and quantify goals and track progress. Be specific: how will the community know whether goals are met? Expect collaboration to be an ongoing process in which you draw attention to issues of equity and present indicators for community members to discuss and evaluate. People might be unaware of challenges faced in some parts of the district or they may have misconceptions about problems and solutions.
Lead with data. Build communication processes that allow you to lead with data analysis rather than react to crisis situations.
Communicate changes continually. Minimize surprises for community members by presenting graphics that show how year-to-year changes fit into longer-term trends. Provide as much information as possible about school capacities, enrollment trends, where educational programs are offered relative to where students live, and the expected effects of change on the budget.
Present data-rich scenarios for solutions. These can include evidence that community concerns are heard and accommodated to the extent possible. Sometimes goals conflict. For example desegregation and keeping transportation times low may not both be possible.

Clear presentation of data will help the community understand that multiple options have been considered, even if all objectives cannot be achieved at one time. School district leaders can choose technical tools that help collect, analyze, and present data as they build their case for educational equity. Administrators and school board members must demonstrate leadership skills such as communication and collaboration to enact equitable solutions to local challenges.

Instant Insights /

With data lighting the way, strong leadership can deliver equity

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