"If we're making decisions and we can't point to specific data supporting them, we need to stop and ask questions."

Heather Jenkins, Chief Impact and Equity Officer at uAspire , emphasized the need for a data roadmap and a strategy when undertaking large projects, as well as addressing data using a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. Not to be lost in these strategic decisions, Heather reinforced the need to listen to student perspectives so that students of color don't feel tokenized within the process.

"Make do with what you can get instead of chipping away at the mountain for things you don't need."

Priscilla Andrade, Director of the Trinity Education for Excellence Program (TEEP) , acknowledged that she approached her position without an extensive background in data work. Rather than seeing this as a weakness, Priscilla spoke to how this empowered her to focus her efforts on qualitative measurements like socio-emotional learning. Echoing Heather's comments on student perspectives, Priscilla noted that students need to feel like data collection is being done with them - not on them. Finally, Priscilla discussed the importance of using the data you have to determine programming, rather than seeking data you can't get to drive programming that's not sustainable.

"If you find good data, data that shows results, data that's hopeful - share it and share it wide."

Amanda Sanderson, Impact Manager at City Year Boston , shared her perspective on working extensively with the Boston Public Schools and trying to work around the challenges of other groups' data. She pointed out the many obstacles around obtaining data from other sources and how critical it can be to show partners that you're aligned with their interests and use their data responsibly and responsively. Amanda closed by sharing an example of how sharing a small item of promising data with a partner school led to a tremendous increase in trust and good will.

"If you want to dig in and look closely at data, you need to create structures that will let you do so."

Sarah Conrad, Chief Program Officer at The Steppingstone Foundation , spoke extensively on the importance of cultivating staff buy-in and finding systems that can work for you within your program. Sarah emphasized that when programs have staff members who are excited about collecting data or working with it, that's a resource programs need to take advantage of. Likewise, when a program can identify promising trends, they need to look closely at those and expand on that opportunity. Sarah closed by pointing out that data collection does not happen organically - programs need to consciously create scaffolding to do the work, and support these efforts by engaging staff.

"Lots of industries get away without providing data in order to get funding - why does it fall to the poor and underresourced to prove that they're worth it?"

Steve Filosa, Executive Director of Prep@Pingree , discussed how best to engage with funders or external sources with the data his program collects. Steve was quick to acknowledge that, in most programs, staff have their hands full with their normal day-to-day work, and that illustrating causal links for funders on top of normal tasks is a monumental challenge. Nevertheless, he argued that the greatest takeaway is "don't do nothing." Instead: Find a single piece of data that illustrates the importance of your work, and use that to rally support.

Thank you to all those who attended, and thanks as well to our event speakers and City Year Boston for hosting us. We look forward to continuing to engage in critical conversations about how best to use data to strengthen our work in supporting underserved students.

Stay tuned for additional NPEA Data Counts Events in 2019-2020 and contact us if you'd like more information on the NPEA Data Counts project.