Data Wise: Using Collaborative Data Inquiry to Build Equitable Schools

During this intensive week, your school or system-level team will interact face-to-face with the Data Wise teaching team, peers from diverse settings, and Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) students who are committed to learning how to lead collaborative inquiry. This program is designed to leverage the experiences of HGSE students and practitioners and promote learning within and across these groups.

The January institute covers the same topics as the June program but allows more independent team time for collaboration and provides access to a shared teaching fellow. Through case studies, large group presentations, and small group discussions, participants will analyze the challenges and successes experienced by a diverse group of school leaders engaged in this work.

We strongly recommend that teams participating in the institute also enroll in the Data Wise in Action program. When you participate, you will receive eight months of continued support from a dedicated Data Wise coach as you implement the inquiry process in your own school or system.

• Explore how the Data Wise Improvement Process brings coherence to the core work of schools.
• Cultivate the habits of mind that improve team effectiveness and foster a supportive culture of improvement.
• Practice using a series of inquiry protocols to bring back to your faculty.
• Learn to lead collaborative analysis of a wide range of data sources, including standardized tests, formative assessments, student work, and observations of classroom practice.
• Create a plan for integrating the Data Wise Improvement Process into your daily work.

• School teams of four or more people, including a principal, at least two teachers, and one or more other educators in leadership roles. Preference will be given to teams with at least one curriculum and instruction specialist, such as a literacy or mathematics coach.
• District teams of four or more people comprised of central office staff members responsible for supporting schools in using data to improve teaching and learning (e.g., data coaches, instructional coaches, directors of curriculum and instruction).
• District teams of four or more people comprised of committed senior leadership and multiple school-based teams that can serve as example sites for other schools.

This program only accepts teams. First-time applicants need to create a Professional Education account to apply.

Designate one participant or an administrative staff member as the Coordinator.

• The Coordinator should click the "Apply" button at the top of this page to log into their Professional Education account and access the application page.
• Proceed with the team form, including providing the name, email address, and job title of each participant in your team.
• The Coordinator can choose to receive a team invoice.
• Contact us if you need to make any changes to your team after submitting the form.

Invoices will only be available upon your acceptance.

Is it possible to have fewer than 3 on our team? 

No, we purposefully require teams of 3 or more participants, as this allows for the most productive and effective learning experience. Each team member plays a vital role in the Data Wise process, and various perspectives from within the school (principal, teacher, literacy coach, etc.) are needed to work collaboratively with the data resources.

Is it possible to have a team of more than six people?

We recommend teams of 3-6 people as this provides the most optimal learning experience for you and your team. If you have more than 6 members of your team, we recommend breaking into two smaller teams. If you have any questions regarding this, please reach out to us at ppe@gse.harvard.edu.

Is it possible to have a team with just several school leaders/principals?

No, school teams must be comprised of the school principal, at least one teacher, and one or more other educators in leadership roles. Each role lends a different perspective to the Data Wise process, and this is needed to ensure a commitment to action at all school levels.

Is it possible to have a team with just several school teachers?

No, school teams must be comprised of the school principal, at least one teacher, and one or more other educators in leadership roles. Each role lends a different perspective to the Data Wise process, and this is needed to ensure a commitment to action at all school levels.

Is it possible to have a team without the building principal?

If your school principal has recently participated in one of the Data Wise: Using Collaborative Data Inquiry to Build Equitable Schools, then an assistant principal may participate instead of the principal.

Can our district leaders be included on a school team?

We do offer the Data Wise Leadership Institute to district-level teams. District and school teams will use different data sets in the Data Wise Process, and therefore we do not recommend that district leaders attend the program with school teams.

Can we miss part of a day of the program?

It is important that you attend every day of the program as each day builds upon the eight-step model that will guide you and your team to work collaboratively to improve teaching and learning through evidence-based analysis. If any extenuating circumstances prevent you or one of your team members from missing part of the course, please inform us as soon as possible.