The Data Must Speak (DMS) Positive Deviance Research: Digitalizing Educational Governance through Local Evidence

• In Event: Digitalization of the Governance and Management of Education Systems: Opportunities and Challenges

Proposal

In the context of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Knowledge Innovation Exchange (KIX) initiative, the Data Must Speak (DMS) Positive Deviance research aligns with the 2025 CIES theme, focusing on the digitalization of education systems governance and management. Implemented across 14+ countries, DMS leverages digital tools and administrative datasets to identify effective school-level practices that can inform policy and enhance education system management.

The DMS approach is grounded in the conviction that data-driven insights are crucial for developing adaptive education policies that respond to local needs. By collaborating with Ministries of Education and utilizing digital platforms for data collection and analysis, DMS enhances the decision-making processes within education systems. This research not only identifies positive deviant behaviors that lead to better educational outcomes but also provides a methodology for scaling these innovations through evidence-informed policies.

As digitalization transforms the governance of education systems, DMS contributes to the improvement of national Education Management Information Systems (EMIS). DMS supports the enhancement of data systems to cover more comprehensive informational needs, including the quality of learning and detailed characteristics of learners and teachers, which are often overlooked in traditional EMIS. By integrating findings from grassroots levels into national policy agendas, DMS aids in the development of new organizational cultures that embrace the use of digital tools in policy formulation and education sector planning.

This presentation will outline how the DMS research, as part of the GPE KIX initiative, helps to bridge the gap between local educational innovations and national policy frameworks. The presentation will discuss how leveraging digital research tools enables a more nuanced understanding of educational challenges and solutions, fostering knowledge exchange among GPE partner countries. The session will also explore the opportunities and challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries in digitalizing their education governance systems, emphasizing how DMS research informs and shapes these transformative efforts.

By demonstrating the practical applications of DMS research in enhancing the digital governance of education systems, this abstract ties directly into the panel's focus, highlighting the role of digital tools in scaling educational innovations and influencing policy uptake in diverse educational contexts.

Author

• Jessica Bergmann, Unicef - Office of Research, Innocenti