In your setting, you will learn a step-by-step process for engaging in collaborative inquiry and using a range of data sources to improve instruction and student outcomes.
“When schools create a collaborative culture around data use—when they use data not to point fingers but to inform collective decisions—something powerful can happen.” — Kathryn Boudett, Faculty Co-Chair
Overview
With the rise of school accountability, educators report that they are inundated with data about student learning. How can they use this information to support student achievement?
The Data Wise Improvement Process provides a clear, field tested blueprint that teachers and school leaders can use to examine test scores and other student data to catalyze school wide conversations that drive instructional improvement. The Date Wise Leadership Institute prepares school teams to plan a thoughtful launch of this inquiry process in their own settings.
Program Details
The virtual onsite offering of the Data Wise Leadership Institute addresses similar content and objectives as our on-campus program with a focus on individual school efforts, but takes place in the comfort of your own setting. Through an online learning platform, you will be given the tools to guide your team through the institute, including video mini-lessons explaining key tasks, detailed meeting agendas for your team to follow, and a complete schedule for the weeks that includes live online sessions with Harvard faculty and daily conference calls with your Data Wise coach. Teams will meet together during the weeklong institute, and engage with each other as well as other teams from around the globe through the online learning platform and live online sessions.
Schedule
Teams will meet from 12:00 – 2:45pm ET each weekday during the institute for live online webinars and team meetings. Additional asynchronous work will be required, so participants should expect a total of 47.5 hours of work over two weeks.
View a sample schedule of these two weeks.
Objectives
- Articulate how and why equity is central to the work of school improvement
- Build skills to take an equity lens at each step of the Data Wise Improvement Process
- Demonstrate a relentless focus on evidence when collaboratively analyzing a wide range of data sources, including annual standardized tests, periodic formative assessments, daily class work, and observations of classroom practice
- Engage in intentional collaboration by using a Meeting Wise “rolling agenda” and practicing wise meeting facilitation and participation
- Cultivate a shared commitment to action, assessment and adjustment as you develop a plan to launch collaborative data inquiry in a real-world context
Who Should Participate
- School teams of three or more people comprised of the school principal, at least one teacher, and one or more other educators in leadership roles. Preference will be given to teams that include at least one curriculum and instruction specialist, such as a curriculum coordinator, literacy coach, or mathematics coach.

Faculty Director, Learning and Teaching
Kathryn Boudett is the faculty co-chair of the Data Wise Leadership Institute: January, Data Wise Leadership Institute: June, Data Wise Leadership Institute: Australia, Data Wise Leadership Institute: Online, Data Wise in Action Program, and Data Wise Coach Certification, and the Data Wise Coach Network.

Lecturer on Education
Candice is the faculty co-chair for the Data Wise Leadership Institute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to have fewer than 3 on our team?
No, we purposefully require teams of 3 or more participants as this allows for the most productive and effective learning experience. Each team member plays a vital role in the Data Wise process and various perspectives from within the school (principal, teacher, literacy coach, etc.) are needed to work collaboratively with the data resources.
Is it possible to have a team of more than 6 people?
We recommend teams of 3-6 people as this provides the most optimal learning experience for you and your team. If you have more than 6 members of your team, we recommend breaking into two smaller teams. If you have any questions regarding this, please reach out to us at ppe@gse.harvard.edu.
Is it possible to have a team with just several school leaders/principals?
No, school teams needs to be comprised of the school principal, at least one teacher, and one or more other educators in leadership roles. Each role lends a different perspective to the Data Wise process and this is needed to ensure a commitment to action at all of the school levels.
Is it possible to have a team with just several school teachers?
No, school teams needs to be comprised of the school principal, at least one teacher, and one or more other educators in leadership roles. Each role lends a different perspective to the Data Wise process and this is needed to ensure a commitment to action at all of the school levels.
Is it possible to have a team without the building principal?
If your school principal has participated in one of the Data Wise Leadership Institutes in recent times, then an assistant principal may participate instead of the principal.
Is it possible to include our district leaders on a school team?
We do offer the Data Wise Leadership Institute to district level teams. District teams and schools teams will use different sets of data in the Data Wise Process and therefore we do not recommend that district leaders attend the program with school teams.
Can we miss part of a day of the program?
It is important that you attend every day of the program as each day builds upon the eight-step model that will guide you and your team to work collaboratively to improve teaching and learning through evidence-based analysis. If there are any extenuating circumstances that prevent you or one of your team members to miss part of the course, please inform us as soon as possible.
Fees & Policies
The comprehensive tuition includes all instructional materials. Participants receive a certificate of participation and a letter confirming clock hours of instruction. Payment or a purchase order must be received within 30 days of program acceptance, or upon receipt of the invoice if acceptance is within 30 days prior to the start of the program. Click here for more information on payment and financial aid.
Please click here for more information on our on-campus and online refund and withdrawal policies.
The Harvard Graduate School of Education reserves the right to change faculty or cancel programs at its discretion. In the unlikely event of program changes, the school is not responsible for non-refundable travel arrangements or other planning expenses incurred.
Closed Captioning and Accessibility
This online course consists of a combination of both pre-recorded videos and live web conferences. The majority of our pre-recorded videos are closed-captioned and accompanied by PDF transcripts. For live events, we will arrange for captioning services upon your request. Please contact us via the Professional Education Community if you require accommodations. If possible, requests should be made at least a week in advance. Please note: we will make every effort to secure services, but all are subject to availability.