This Month We're Talking "All Things Data"

We spend a lot of time talking about technology in schools, but one question keeps coming up: How do we know if what we’re doing is actually working?

Whether we’re deciding which tools are worth keeping, figuring out how to approach AI, or making plans for the year ahead, data plays a big role in those decisions. But having the data is only part of the equation. We also need to know whether it’s reliable, how to use it, and what it can tell us.

That’s the idea behind our November theme at ATLIS: Data: From Information to Better Decisions.

This month, we have several opportunities to learn from one another, work through real-world challenges, and pick up ideas you can bring back to your school.

Here’s what’s coming up:

November 4 | Does This Tool Earn Its Place? Rethinking Ed Tech in Schools
2:00–3:00 PM ET

Are your ed tech tools delivering the value you expected? How do you measure their impact? Join us to explore how evidence, outcomes, and meaningful data can help schools decide which tools to keep, reconsider, or retire.

November 5 | Saying Yes Carefully: Encouraging AI Experimentation Without Buying the Hype
2:00–3:00 PM ET

AI is moving quickly, and schools are trying to figure out where to experiment and where to draw the line. Data about tool performance, costs, privacy, and actual use can help us separate promising opportunities from the hype. Join us to explore how to encourage experimentation while making informed decisions.

November 10 | Large School Leadership Network Quarterly Meetups
2:00–3:00 PM ET

How are other large schools using data to inform technology strategy, manage complex operations, and set priorities? Connect with fellow leaders to compare approaches, share what you’re learning, and discuss how data can support decision-making across your school.

November 12 | From Tech Director to Interim Scheduler: Navigating the Surprise
2:00–3:00 PM ET

We all know the job description doesn’t always tell the whole story. When unexpected responsibilities land on your desk, the information you have available can make a difference. Join us to discuss navigating the unexpected, making decisions with limited information, and figuring out what you need to know to move forward.

November 17–June 22 | Privacy Academy, from 9ine

Good data practices start with understanding how to protect the information our schools collect and use. Explore how privacy knowledge can inform your school’s policies, data-handling practices, and decisions about access, security, and risk.

November 17 | IT Meetup: Risk, Governance, and Planning Ahead
2:00–3:00 PM ET

Good planning depends on understanding the risks in front of us. How are schools using information about their technology environments, security gaps, and operational needs to set priorities? Bring your questions and learn how your peers approach data-informed governance and long-term planning.

November 18 | Assessing Data Quality: Working Session (ATLIS Member Exclusive)
1:00–3:00 PM ET

This one is especially relevant to our November theme. Join Eric Heilman, Executive Director of CIRIS, for a hands-on session using Clean Data, Clear Vision: An Independent School Data Strategy Handbook. You’ll work through an example assessment and explore how to evaluate the quality and integrity of data in your own systems.

If you’ve ever questioned whether the data you’re working with is accurate, complete, or consistent, this is a great opportunity to dig in and work through it with colleagues.

A few resources to explore, too

You don’t have to wait for an event to start putting these ideas to work. Here are a few ATLIS resources worth bookmarking:

• ATLIS360: Take a closer look at your school’s technology program, identify opportunities for growth, and use the results to help inform your planning.

• Data and Record Retention: Risk Mitigation Guide: Developed with NAIS, this guide offers practical support for thinking through data retention, sensitive records, and risk management.

• ATLIS Member-Only Data Community Board: Have a data question you’ve been trying to solve at your school? Looking for advice on data quality, reporting, integrations, or governance? Connect with colleagues in the ATLIS Data Community, a dedicated, member-only discussion group focused on data in independent schools. Post a question, share what’s working, or learn from how other schools are approaching similar challenges. You can participate directly in the online community or follow the discussion through your email, making it easy to tap into the collective experience of your ATLIS peers.

One of the things I value most about this community is the willingness to share what we’re learning, including what’s working, what needs improvement, and what we’re still figuring out. We don’t have to solve every challenge on our own.

I hope you’ll join us for an event or two this month. And if there’s a data challenge your school is working through, bring it to the conversation. Chances are, someone else is working through something similar.