Exploring Connections Between Leaders' Data Use and Work Context

• In Event: Park Central Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Principal and Teacher Influence in Leadership

Abstract

This paper examines two forms of leader data use—one which we call student-oriented data use, and another we call examination of accountability data. Using data from a survey of school leaders from a representative sample of schools in one state, we examine the association between these two data use practices and characteristics of leaders’ schools. We found that student-oriented data use was significantly more prevalent in schools with greater trust among school staff, less staff mobility, and lower levels of safety and order. Examination of accountability data was more prevalent in schools that had a recent history of accountability pressure. At the same time, student-oriented data use was neither more nor less prevalent in schools under greater accountability pressure.

Authors

• Eric M. Camburn, University of Wisconsin

• Changhee Lee, Vanderbilt University

• Xue Gong, University of Wisconsin - Madison