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Top Five Takeaways

There were many great moments at the Ferguson Institute this year, from district assessment leaders discussing how they actively use data to define and solve problems to celebrating the successes of the Ferguson Institute Awards winners. Here are our top five takeaways from the first Ferguson Institute on the Evolution of Data:

  1. Tell a Story with Your Data 

    Storytelling with data and bringing emotion to the numbers is a more effective way to communicate findings than simply sharing numbers alone. 

  2. Belief Systems Are Essential but Insufficient

    Establishing belief systems is essential but insufficient. Setting high expectations, such as getting all students to grade level and committing to the effort needed to get there, is what matters more.

  3. Activate Your Data

    Finding ways to use data to transform practice and instruction is critical—don’t let data sit idly in the platform. Bring your data to life by identifying and using the right data to solve problems.

  4. Understand That Students Are More Than Just a Number

    Identifying students’ “tailwinds” (protective factors such as high socioeconomic status or high parental education levels) and “headwinds” (risk factors such as low socioeconomic status or low parental education levels) can unlock a deeper understanding of a student data and create a system of support to help students overcome their headwinds.

  5. It Takes a Village

    Engaging the entire community is key—students, teachers, leaders, and families need to be involved in order to fully support each student’s success.

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