Building Capacity to use a Longitudinal Data System ....................... 
From Raw Data to Actionable Intelligence
While longitudinal data systems (LDS) provide comprehensive raw information, they must dovetail with decision makers’ capacities to understand and use data in meaningful ways.
Efforts to develop these capacities are often overlooked; however education leaders can address these needs by considering the following areas:
- Existing attitudes and beliefs about the value of using data to inform professional practice
- Existing skills for reading, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying data to professional practice
- Decision makers’ data needs
- Local culture of data usage
- Availability of supports (e.g. release time, tools, professional development, personnel) to facilitate data use
- Barriers to data use
- Familiarity with technological interfaces
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As with any capacity-building initiative, participants that have sustained opportunities to acquire and refine skills have the greatest likelihood of ensuring success.
Is your organization prepared?
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