Measuring What Matters: The Promise and Peril of Data in K-12 Spaces - Asynchronous

Measuring What Matters: The Promise and Peril of Data in K-12 Spaces is a four-part mini-course for educators who want to harness the power of data without losing sight of what truly matters in teaching and learning. Through conversations with educators, administrators and researchers, participants will explore both the pitfalls of misused standardized testing and the potential of richer, more human-centered forms of data. Sessions highlight practical examples—from detracking 9th grade courses through the Earned Honors model, to conducting teacher-led action research, to designing liberatory and dignifying classroom experiences—that show how data can be used to advance equity, inform instruction, and foster authentic learning. Educators will gain insights into balancing quantitative and qualitative measures, cultivating cultures of inquiry over fear, and building systems of support that make data a tool for growth rather than control. This course equips teachers and leaders to rethink assessment, reimagine accountability, and re-center education around meaningful measures that honor every student’s potential.

In this mini-course, you will hear from instructors and coaches from Northwestern University, practicing K-12 educators and a team of educational administrators, all working to use data to inform and improve their practice.