Engage with Data

When the data speaks for itself

When the data speaks for itself (I’m back! Let’s just say that working from home full-time with an infant and no childcare is not for the faint of heart. I’m hoping to share with you more regularly throughout the summer and beyond.) As I’m sure has been the case with you, the past few weeks… Continue reading When the data speaks for itself

“I couldn’t have put it better myself”

“I couldn’t have put it better myself…” We all know how powerful a startling statistic can be. Maybe you’ve seen a PowerPoint presentation where there is just a huge number on the slide or a newspaper headline that highlights the stark realities of a situation. Remember the New York Times’ cover early on in the… Continue reading “I couldn’t have put it better myself”

How Can We Measure 2021?

How can we measure 2021? Over the past few months, we’ve been playing a lot of music for our baby girl, to keep her entertained (mostly because Mommy and Daddy sing and dance around the house like fools) and to help lull her to sleep.  We may not be helping her get along with her… Continue reading How Can We Measure 2021?

A Sleep-Deprived Perspective on Data Tracking

A sleep-deprived perspective on data tracking I’m back from maternity leave!  I’ve always had great admiration for parents and caregivers, and after almost two months with a newborn, that respect has grown ten-fold!  Parenting (especially without much sleep) is tough work.  While I was out, I had a few discussions with data-minded colleagues and read… Continue reading A Sleep-Deprived Perspective on Data Tracking

A New Arrival

A New Arrival I’ve been a bit off my posting schedule the past few weeks, but I have a good reason, I promise! Last Monday, my husband and I welcomed a beautiful, healthy baby girl into the world (albeit a few weeks early!). Our hearts are full and our brains are fried, but we are… Continue reading A New Arrival

A gut check

A gut check While I am lucky that I get to consult with schools and districts in their work with families, it isn’t often that I get to engage with students and families directly (especially since COVID derailed my weekly mentoring sessions at a high school here in Columbus). So I was especially delighted this… Continue reading A gut check

Preparing for Another Uncertain Year

Preparing for Another Uncertain School Year I think we had all hoped that after two school years disrupted by COVID-19, the 2021-2022 school year could be a return to “normal.”  Yet with the Delta variant surging throughout the country and children under 12 still unvaccinated, it’s becoming clear that educators and families are in for… Continue reading Preparing for Another Uncertain Year

Reframing data analysis as meaning-making

Reframing data analysis as meaning-making This summer on the Engage with Data blog, I’m exploring different ways to answer the question: “So what?”  My goal is to remind us of the human element of data — we are in the field of student and family engagement, after all!  But I do get it – data… Continue reading Reframing data analysis as meaning-making

Summarize, visualize, analyze

Summarize, visualize, analyze In my last post, I asked for feedback about what you’d like to learn about in our summer of figuring out the “so what?” of our data. To my amusement, a longtime colleague and friend replied to my LinkedIn post with the following topic:  “How to turn raw data into meaningful information… Continue reading Summarize, visualize, analyze

Looking for the “So What?” In Our Data

Looking for the “so what?” in our data If you’ve read this blog for any period of time, you’ve probably figured out that data tracking is kind of my thing.  My super Type-A personality gets a lot of satisfaction from crossing every “t” and dotting every “i” and making sure that I can quickly access… Continue reading Looking for the “So What?” In Our Data