Invest in Interoperability for Equitable Education Outcomes

A Response to Project Unicorn’s State of the Sector Report

The promise of data interoperability in K–12 education is vast: a world where student data flows seamlessly between systems, empowering educators with a complete view of each learner, streamlining administrative tasks, and enabling data-driven decision-making for improved and equitable educational outcomes. Yet, while the potential is clear, the path toward achieving interoperability is paved with challenges. As highlighted in Project Unicorn’s 2024 State of the Sector Report, the K–12 education sector continues to grapple with a complex web of obstacles, including inadequate funding, governance complexities, and a persistent lack of capacity.

Interoperability challenges the survey reveals

Project Unicorn is an effort to improve data interoperability within K–12 education with the knowledge that solving data interoperability challenges facing districts and schools is critical to building equitable education outcomes.

Their State of the Sector Report analyzes K–12 school system capabilities and infrastructure for leveraging education data based on responses from the annual School System Data Survey (SSDS).

The report makes it evident that despite a growing awareness of the need for data modernization, K–12 schools struggle to translate that awareness into action. This inaction has real-world consequences, limiting the ability of educators to personalize learning, efficiently manage student data, and make informed decisions that benefit all learners. The most significant consequence of this inaction, however, is the accessibility of equitable education: Interoperability is not just a technology issue; it’s an equity issue.

Let’s examine some of the most pressing challenges the report reveals.

Data governance remains the most significant barrier to achieving interoperability.

• Despite four years of data, governance consistently ranks as the lowest-scoring domain in the survey—highlighting the reality that data alone won’t move the needle. Schools struggle to establish formal data governance bodies, clearly define roles and responsibilities for data management, and create a culture of data literacy across their organizations. Effective data governance is not just about implementing technical solutions, it’s about fostering collaboration, building consensus, and empowering individuals to make data-informed decisions.

The conclusion of ESSER funding has created a fiscal cliff for many school districts, further exacerbating the funding challenges that plague data modernization efforts.

• Although school leaders consistently report that they prioritize data-driven decision-making, they lack the financial resources to invest in the necessary infrastructure and personnel. Without adequate and sustained funding, the dream of interoperability will remain out of reach for many schools.

The lack of technical and human capacity continues to hinder progress toward interoperability.

• School districts with dedicated data teams score notably higher on the survey, highlighting the crucial role of skilled personnel in driving data modernization. Yet, high turnover rates and a shortage of qualified data professionals make it difficult for schools to build and maintain these critical teams. Compounding this challenge is the need for broader training and professional development opportunities to equip educators and administrators with the knowledge and skills to use data to build effective solutions and innovations.

Interoperability: A Call to Action for K–12 Education

These findings underscore the urgency of a collective effort to advance data interoperability in K–12 education. We must work together to:

• Advocate for Increased Funding: We must make a compelling case to policymakers at all levels about the critical need for sustained funding for data modernization initiatives. Again, interoperability isn’t just about technology; it’s about equity. All students, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic background, deserve access to the benefits that data interoperability can bring.
• Empower School Leaders: Equipping school leaders with a deeper understanding of data interoperability is essential for achieving the outcomes the sector seeks. We need to provide accessible training and resources that demystify complex technical concepts and clearly articulate the potential of interoperable data systems to improve teaching and learning.
• Support Data Governance Initiatives: We must clearly communicate how governance impacts interoperability and provide schools with the guidance and resources they need to establish effective data governance structures. This includes developing model policies, offering practical training on data management best practices, and fostering a collaborative approach to data stewardship across school communities.
• Cultivate Data Talent: Addressing the shortage of skilled data professionals requires a multi-pronged approach. We need to advocate for competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain talent, invest in professional development opportunities to upskill existing staff, and create pathways for students to explore careers in data science and analytics.

At Resultant, a proud member of the Project Unicorn Steering Committee, we’re committed to working alongside our partners to confront these challenges head-on. We believe that through collaboration, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to equity, we can create a future where data interoperability empowers educators and unlocks the full potential of every learner.

Learn more about what we’re doing in K-12 education

Resources:

Project Unicorn Report: UNI – The State of the Sector 2024.pdf