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Professional Development
Learn a step-by-step process for gathering and using data to improve instruction, student outcomes, and educational equity across your district or system.
Please note that the System Wise Leadership Institute only accepts leadership teams of three or more people. The tuition above is per person.
Click here to inquire about a custom engagement for your organization.
In accordance with Harvard University policy, Professional Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education affirms the right of all individuals to equal treatment in education without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Data Wise Improvement Process is an eight-step model that guides teams of educators as they work collaboratively to improve teaching and learning through evidence-based analysis. The process provides a clear, carefully tested blueprint that employs a wide range of evidence, from the “big data” of high-stakes tests to the “street data” collected through classroom observation and information about lived experience gathered from students and their families.
The System Wise Leadership Institute brings together district, system, and school leaders in person and online to help them learn how to employ Data Wise for continuous improvement at the system level. In this intensive program, you’ll gather with peers and Harvard faculty for three days of dialogue and training in the Data Wise Improvement Process. Then you’ll head back home and continue online, with peer conversations and monthly sessions with a certified Coach. The program welcomes interest and applications from all practitioners in the field.
The System Wise Leadership Institute is an opportunity for your team to ensure everyone in your organization can thrive. It is a place to build your collaborative practice through research-based content and data-informed coaching. You will work with educators across the country to scale continuous improvement practices to more effectively implement the strategies and initiatives your students and educators need to be successful
The institute features a blend of in-person and virtual learning, including three days of in-person sessions plus four virtual 90-minute plenaries, along with seven monthly coaching sessions.
Working on campus with Harvard faculty and other district and system education leaders, you’ll apply and build upon the Data Wise Improvement Process to your system-level priorities. You’ll learn how to:
Back at home, you’ll work with a Data Wise coach online. Over seven months, your coach will connect with you for monthly meetings. Your coach will help you use data to analyze the effectiveness of your improvement plan and suggest changes to the process that can help improve student performance and increase education equity.
Plenaries happen virtually at a scheduled time with all participants. Coaching sessions are scheduled individually with each team at a mutually convenient time.
August PlenarySeptember PlenaryOctober PlenaryNovember CoachingDecember/January CoachingFebruary CoachingMarch CoachingApril CoachingApril Plenary
Program End Date: April 30, 2027
Participants will be able to:
This program is designed for district and system education leadership teams of three or more, who wish to learn how to employ data to foster continuous improvement among groups of schools. Participant teams may include:
This program only accepts teams. First-time applicants need to create a Professional Education account to apply.
Designate one participant or an administrative staff member as the Coordinator.
Invoices will only be available upon your acceptance.
If I attend the System Wise Leadership Institute, should I also attend the Data Wise Institute?
The System Wise Leadership Institute (SWLI) is a stand-alone learning experience designed to help system-level leaders like you employ data at the system level. However, you may benefit from taking a closer look at the way Data Wise is implemented at the school and classroom levels. If you wish to do so, participation in the Data Wise Institute is highly recommended. In addition, you may wish to train teams of teachers and leaders from the schools in your system on how to effectively implement Data Wise. If so, we will be glad to welcome your teams.
I have attended the Data Wise Institute already. Should I also attend the System Wise Leadership Institute?
The Data Wise Institute is designed to help teachers and school leaders apply the Data Wise Improvement Process in schools and classrooms. If you want to use Data Wise across multiple districts, schools, or classrooms, the System Wise Leadership Institute is recommended as the next step in your learning progress.
New book extends Data Wise model to the system level