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Data Wise: Educators Collaborating So Each Learner Thrives
EDU A310G

Course Information

Description

What would it look like, feel like and sound like if schools were filled with educators collaborating so each student thrives? This course supports you in developing the habits of mind needed to use collaborative data inquiry to build more equitable schools. We use the step-by-step Data Wise improvement process as our lead framework and explore the equity questions that are essential to address at each step. The course will prepare you to lead teams of educators in collaborative analysis of a wide range of data sources, including student work, formative assessments, annual standardized tests, interviews, and classroom observations.

Through interactive hands-on activities you will learn tools for presenting, discussing, and acting on data. In whole-class sessions, you will work side-by-side with educators who have come to Cambridge to immerse themselves the Data Wise Leadership Institute. In integration sessions, you will discuss the implications of course readings for practice. Finally, in meetings with your team of HGSE students, you will grapple with the challenges of maintaining a relentless focus on evidence and hone your ability to take an equity lens to the work of improvement. By the end of the course, you will have co-created a plan for launching collaborative data inquiry in a school and completed reflective assignments that capture how your thinking has evolved around your role in disrupting patterns of oppression in the education sector.

No prerequisites. Degree-program students enroll using the standard course registration process; professional education participants apply here: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/data-wise-portfolio.

Class Notes

Please note that students may add, drop, or change the grading basis for J-Term courses in My.Harvard until January 5th. Beginning January 6th, students who wish to drop a J-Term course and have the DRP removed from their transcript must email registrar@gse.harvard.edu. This request must be submitted before 8:00am on 1/13/2026. 

School Graduate School of Education
Credits 2
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Education
Course Component Regular Course
Instruction Mode In Person
Subject Education
Grading Basis HGSE Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Learning Goals Articulate how and why equity is central to the work of school improvement; Build skills to take an equity lens at each step of the Data Wise Improvement Process; Demonstrate a relentless focus on evidence when collaboratively analyzing a wide range of data sources, including annual standardized tests, periodic formative assessments, daily class work, and observations of classroom practice; Engage in intentional collaboration by using a Meeting Wise “rolling agenda” and practicing wise meeting facilitation and participation; Cultivate a shared commitment to action, assessment and adjustment as you develop a plan to launch collaborative data inquiry in a real-world context. 
Career Focus <p>This course is ideal for teacher leaders, school leaders and system-level leaders who want to learn a step-by-step approach to using collaborative data inquiry to build equitable schools. Early childhood and higher-education settings welcome.The final project, which involves developing a plan for integrating Data Wise into a real education setting provides participants with an extended opportunity to practice using Data Wise protocols and tools. Students will also have ample opportunities to and reflect on the extent to which these protocols and tools can be used to support effective leadership.</p>