Turning School Data into Real-Time Student Support

In Season 4, Episode 6 of the Designing Education Podcast, Dr. Robert Balfanz speaks with Dr. J.T. Stark, Data Analytics Coordinator for the Washoe County School District in Nevada, about how schools can move from collecting data to using it in powerful, practical ways. Too often, schools have access to data that is not organized to support real-time insight, leaving educators without what they need to support students before it’s too late.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

·         Why common attendance measures fall short and what attendance data schools need to be proactive

·         How actionable data can help identify students in need of support earlier

·         Lessons from Washoe County School District’s in-house approach to creating data tools that educators actually use

At a time when chronic absenteeism remains elevated and too many students are at risk of falling off track, this conversation highlights how better use of data can help schools respond earlier, more effectively, and with greater impact.