Data Quality Campaign’s Brennan McMahon says that, for most teachers today, getting enough student data is no longer a problem. Knowing what to do with all of it is:
As the value of data and data systems becomes increasingly apparent, there is more and more data in the field, but not enough information and training on how to use those data. Consequently, teachers may find themselves with stacks of data files and limitless data dashboards, but a limited understanding of where to go from there. Our teachers are our best and most powerful classroom resource, and states need to work to ensure that teachers have the resources, tools, and skills they need to use data to inform their professional judgment and impact student learning.
McMahon lobbies for more and better data-related training in teacher-prep programs. But what about the teachers who are already out there in the field? It’s no secret that the data deluge—along with the associated mandates and expectations around instruction and student progress—has become a major cause of professional stress for many educators.