Exploring the Relationship Between Data Use and Student Achievement: Emerging Strategies for Combating Equivocal Results

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: Data Quality and Equity Implications for Data Use Practice

Abstract

Data use has become an integral component of school improvement efforts, but a discussion of its impact on student achievement is missing from the literature. In a review of 28 empirical studies, we find that data use commonly demonstrates both positive and null effects on achievement, with two exceptions: data use relying on multiple data types and/or strategies more often increases achievement, while data use in urban schools serving low-income, minoritized students less often increases achievement. Explanations for these outcomes may include teachers’ predisposition to pull from a variety of information sources to inform their work, narrow data use in urban environments, bias in expectations and attribution, and failure to approach data use with an equity lens. Implications are discussed.

Authors

• Jana Grabarek, Loyola University Chicago

• Leanne Kallemeyn, Loyola University Chicago