THE BIG IDEA:
Data must be used to drive systemic change and student success. To make this a reality, families, educators, communities, and policymakers must have the information they need to foster successful journeys through education and the workforce.
Education data is one of the most powerful tools to inform, engage, and create opportunities for students along their education and workforce journeys—and it's much more than test scores.
Students need to understand if they are on track for graduation, families need to understand how to support their children’s education, teachers need to know what progress their students are making, school and district leaders need to understand where to prioritize coaching and resources effectively to improve student outcomes, and policymakers need to know what interventions work and are cost effective. Access to usable and timely data will help each of these stakeholders make better informed decisions and will help ensure that there are great schools for every kid.
Never has it been more important for every stakeholder to have access to timely and usable data in education. As Alabama’s schools both grapple with the enormous challenge of addressing learning loss and simultaneously receive over $3 billion of federal aid for this recovery, there are many decisions that need to be made quickly. It will be critical that we invest this unprecedented amount of money well. In order to determine what or which investments are making an impact on student achievement & outcomes, Alabama state leaders have an opportunity to ensure that all stakeholders have the right tools, training, and capacity to make smart and informed decisions.