A Message from CoSN

CoSN launched the Data-driven Decision Making Initiative: Vision to Know and Do, in February 2003, building upon its role in providing key K–12 school district managers with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective leadership. The initiative is a:

• highly respected source of up-to-date, unbiased information for educators on collecting, understanding and using data effectively;
• practical mechanism for educating school leaders about data-driven decision making and its applications in elementary and secondary education; and,
• nationally recognized framework for sharing knowledge among educators and transferring knowledge between the educational and vendor communities.

Our work over the last four years highlights the ways in which schools and school districts are collecting, reporting and analyzing data and responding to accountability mandates at the state level and requirements of No Child Left Behind. However, the findings from our self assessment tool and our work with schools and school districts underscore the fact that data is still not being used for targeted interventions to improve student learning.

CoSN is restructuring Vision to Know and Do and shifting its focus to help educators realize the power of data to personalize and individualize the learning process. As part of this new direction, CoSN’s Data driven Decision Making Initiative and Using Technology to Raise the Achievement of ALL students, (www.accessibletech4all.org ) are combining  resources to:

• Create tools for educators on the use of data for differentiated instruction
• Highlight the ways in which accessible technologies can be used to enhance learning for all students – those with disabilities and those without disabilities
• Focus on personalizing the learning process for all students. 

The project is made possible through the financial support of the following corporate partners: