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Schools today aren't starving for data—they're drowning in it. So how do you cut through the noise to focus on what actually matters?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Damian Bebell, an educational researcher from Boston College who has partnered with schools around the world on data analysis, and Hywel Benbow, who leads data strategy for GEMS Education. Together, they challenge the "data-driven" mindset, make the case for being data informed instead, and share hard-won lessons on building the foundations that turn raw numbers into real insights.
From a school that traced declining science scores back to a decision to shrink their labs, to fourth graders whose simple breakfast surveys sparked a citywide nutrition program—Damian and Howell reveal what happens when schools get data right. They also get refreshingly honest about the messy reality: inconsistent student IDs, spreadsheets hidden on laptops, and why 60% of the work is just cleaning up the basics.
Whether you're a solo data lead juggling multiple hats or part of a larger team looking to level up, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for making data part of your school's culture—not a burden on top of it.
