Exploring Data-Based Decision Making in European Schools: Identifying Enablers and Barriers

• In Event: Using Data to Improve Schools

Abstract

In this article we explore what data-based decision making use looks like in schools in five different countries (United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Lithuania and the Netherlands). We explore for what purposes data are used and what the enablers and barriers to data use are. The case study results show that schools in all countries use data for school development, accountability, and instructional improvement with different foci. Also, the schools in the five countries struggle with similar problems: e.g. lack of access to high quality data, lack of professional development in using data; but differ significantly in areas of school governance and availability of information systems. Finally, we discuss how some enablers can turn into barriers for effective data use.

Authors

• Kim Schildkamp, Universiteit Twente

• Jan Vanhoof, Antwerp University

• Andreas Breiter, University of Bremen