Education Data & Statistics Guide

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Data in education refers to quantitative or qualitative information collected from teachers, students, parents, and administrators that help inform decisions made with in an educational organization. Educational data often leads to new policies or intervention practices being put in place. Data can be used on a small scale (i.e. daily homework assignments) or on a larger scale (i.e. district wide curriculum changes).

Qualitative Data

This is data is information that is not represented by numbers, but tends to be more descriptive. Qualitative data can come from interviews, written responses, observations, etc. Qualitative data gathers information that can't be easily measured on a scale like opinions, anecdotes, or emotions.

Quantitative Data

This data is information that has a numerical value. Qualitative data can come from surveys, scales, scores, or anything that can be counted. Quantitative research is conducted to gather measurable data used in statistical analysis and can be used to identify patterns and trends.

Demographic Information

• Age: Descriptive age related patterns and trends in education (ex: early childhood, young adult, college, 0-2, 13-19, etc.)
• Gender: Includes socially constructed roles, behaviors, and identities that influences access to educational opportunities or outcomes.
• Race/Ethnicity: The social and cultural groups a student belongs to based on their ancestry, heritage, or cultural traditions that influences access to educational opportunities or outcomes. 
• Socioeconomic Status: Students’ economic and social conditions, including household income, occupation, education (theirs or guardian's), and social status. 
• Language: Spoken and written communication used by students, including their primary language and proficiency in other languages. 
• Disability Status: Physical, sensory, intellectual, or emotional impairments that impact a student’s ability to engage in educational activities.
• Geographic Location: Physical location of a student’s home or community, that influences access to educational resources/opportunities, including cultural or social factors.

Academic Performance

• Grades: The scores/letters students receive on assignments, tests, and courses.
• Standardized Test Scores: The scores students receive on standardized tests, such as the SAT, ACT, or state assessments.
• Course Completion Rates: The percentage of students who complete a course or program.
• Attendance Rates: The percentage of time that students are present in school or class.
• Graduation Rates: The percentage of students who complete their schooling within a specified timeframe (higher ed may refer to this as "retention rates").
• Progress Monitoring Data: Data collected over time to track students’ growth and progress in specific skills or areas highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Teacher Observations and Evaluations: Data that teachers collect and report on students’ performance in different classroom activities, like participation, behavior, and homework completion

Behavioral Records

• Discipline Incidents: Data documenting a student’s infractions and disciplinary actions taken in response.
• Suspensions and Expulsions: The number of documented times a student has been removed from school due to behavioral issues.
• Behavior Checklists: Data documenting a student’s behavior using a standardized checklist.
• Peer and Parent Surveys: Documentations of a student’s behavior reported by peers or parents.
• Counseling and Mental Health Records: Qualitative documentation of a student’s counseling or mental health visits.

Engagement Indicators

• Classroom Participation: Students' contribution to class discussions and activities through participation rubrics or observations.
• Homework Completion: The percentage of assigned homework students complete.
• Learning Time: The amount of time students spend engaged in learning activities, including classroom instruction, homework, and independent study.
• Assessment Performance: Students' demonstration of understanding and mastery of content on quizzes, exams, or other assessments.
• Technology Usage: The extent to which students use technology to support their learning.
• Extracurricular Involvement: Participation in school clubs, organizations, sports, and other extracurricular activities.
• Social and Emotional Learning: The development of students' social and emotional competencies.
• Mobility Rates: How often students change schools during a given period.