The National Center for Education Statistics STATS-DC 2013 conference, a data conference that will focus on “discovering through data,” is taking place this week. Anyone interested in data-informed decision-making should attend Data-Informed Decisionmaking: It Takes a City, presented by Margie Johnson and Laura Hansen of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), this Friday (July 19, 2013) in Washington, DC.

The Longitudinal Educational Analytics and Decision Support System (LEADS) MNPS created and maintains has been dubbed one of the most robust data warehouse systems in the country. Not surprisingly, Johnson and Hansen understand the importance of going beyond “just showing the data” and of taking proactive steps to ensure the data is used with ease, support, and accuracy. They will be presenting on ways MNPS uses data to support students’ education, how this involves professional learning, and an impressive data sharing approach that involves community stakeholders to increase support for students. They will be continuing the conversation afterwards via an Edmodo group (code: zt34td).

Johnson and Hansen will also be presenting on DDIM at Learning Forward’s Summer Conference 2013 (Session G09), a venue known for its professional learning value, next Wednesday (July 24, 2013). Whether you find them at STATS-DC, Edmodo, Learning Forward, or elsewhere, the Johnson and Hansen team is one to watch.

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