ABSTRACT
This chapter explores four ways people can reconnect their data to meaningful parts of education work: our values, our personal agency, our personal systems, and psychological safety. Cecilia, works with data for a state department of education in the southern United States. Cecilia is professional, dedicated, and passionate about positive outcomes for students in and out of school. Cecilia shared a story that showed the author what happens when school systems use data in a way that doesn’t align with values. The story takes place a few years ago, before Cecilia worked for the state department of education. Cecilia wrote a report of her findings and shared it with others in her district, hoping the findings would lead to more inquiry. Patti Hershfeldt and Susan Barrett are part of a team that trains educators all over the United States. Data use can help people express their values or it can stifle them.
