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Strategic Data Project Convening 2026 has ended
Tuesday, May 12
 

3:00pm EDT

Pre-Convening Early Registration & Check-In
Tuesday May 12, 2026 3:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Beat the rush—check in early! Pick up your name badge, grab some swag, and meet the SDP Team before the conference officially kicks off.

Take this opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and get settled.

Skip the lines on May 13 by checking in ahead of time!
Tuesday May 12, 2026 3:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge Hotel 575 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
 
Wednesday, May 13
 

7:00am EDT

Registration & Check-In
Wednesday May 13, 2026 7:00am - 9:00am EDT
The Strategic Data Project Network is excited to welcome you to Cambridge, MA!

During this time, check in to grab your badge, pick up some swag, and get ready for an incredible Convening 2026.
Wednesday May 13, 2026 7:00am - 9:00am EDT
Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge Hotel 575 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

8:00am EDT

Breakfast
Wednesday May 13, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Fuel up for the day ahead! Join us for a light breakfast and casual networking before we dive into Convening.

This is your chance to connect with peers, grab a coffee, and get energized for an exciting day of learning and collaboration.
Wednesday May 13, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

9:00am EDT

Welcome to SDP Convening 2026: Proof Positive
Wednesday May 13, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
Kick off SDP Convening 2026 with a welcome from SDP’s Senior Director, Miriam Greenberg.

As we dive into this year’s theme—"Proof Positive?"—we’ll set the stage for two days of thought-provoking discussions, collaboration, and action.

Get ready to explore how we turn insights into impact and navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Welcome to Cambridge and to SDP Convening 2026!
Speakers
avatar for Miriam Greenberg

Miriam Greenberg

Director, Strategic Data Project

Wednesday May 13, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

9:15am EDT

Airplane Mode: The Evidence Behind Cell Phone Bans
Wednesday May 13, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT
Research has shown that cell phone use by youth and teens can lead to distractions, cyberbullying, and poor mental health. The national conversation has shifted to taking away students’ phones during the school day as a solution to these challenges. But is it enough? We bring together researchers and state and district perspectives about how cell phone bans have proof of improving students’...
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Speakers
avatar for Justin Reich

Justin Reich

Asst. Professor, Teaching Systems Lab
Justin's BioA former high school history teacher, Justin Reich is the Mitsui Career Development Professor of Comparative Media Studies at MIT, the director of the MIT Teaching Systems Lab (tsl.mit.edu), the host of the TeachLab podcast (teachlabpodcast.com), and the author of Fai... Read More →
avatar for Stephanie Downey Toledo

Stephanie Downey Toledo

Superintendent, Central Falls School District
Dr. Stephanie Downey Toledo is the superintendent of the Central Falls School District, an urban district in Rhode Island. While her current district is one of the nation’s smallest urban districts, her career began in our nation’s two largest. She started as a classroom teacher... Read More →
avatar for David Figlio

David Figlio

Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics, University of Rochester
David Figlio conducts research on a wide range of education and health policy issues from school accountability and standards to welfare policy and policy design, as well as the interrelationship between education and health. He also studies aspects of the academic profession itself... Read More →
avatar for Eric Mackey

Eric Mackey

Alabama State Superintendent of Education
Dr. Eric G. Mackey serves as the Alabama State Superintendent of Education, where he leads the state’s efforts to improve student outcomes through his strategic plan, Alabama Achieves. His priorities include the Alabama Literacy Act, Alabama Numeracy Act, STEM education, Career Technical Education... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

10:45am EDT

Creating a Data Warehouse that Inspires Educators to Act
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: The promise of a data warehouse is realized when schools trust and rely on it to support students in real-time. Learn how continuous improvement and collaboration with educators led to a system used daily in schools across the district. Attendees will examine high impact reports, see how innovative data are transforming practice, and leave with strategies to increase...
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Speakers
BB

Bob Balfanz

Professor, Johns Hopkins university

avatar for JT Stark

JT Stark

Data Leader, Washoe County Schools


LD

Laura Davidson

Director of Research and Evaluation, Washoe County School District

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Harvard Square, Lobby Level

10:45am EDT

From Roadmap to Reality: Refreshing Strategy through Data and Dialogue
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: Strategic plans often launch with fanfare but struggle to stay relevant during implementation. Guilford County Schools (GCS) addressed this through its Roadmap to Success framework for progress monitoring and strategic refresh. This session explores how GCS built monitoring capacity and gathered feedback to inform the next phase of work. Using strategy maps and balanced...
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Speakers
avatar for Erin Philip

Erin Philip

Director of Strategic Planning & Special Projects, Guilford County Schools
Erin Philip is the Director of Strategic Planning and Special Projects at Guilford County Schools. In this role, she leads strategic research, cross-functional initiatives, and executive-level planning to support district priorities. Her work focuses on strengthening key transitions... Read More →
avatar for Tiffany Perkins

Tiffany Perkins

Executive Director - Strategic Planning, Guilford County Schools, NC
Tiffany Perkins graduated from NC State University as a NC Teaching Fellow in 1995. She is in her 31st year in public education in NC with experience as a middle school math teacher, assistant principal, principal, state and district-level leader. Tiffany completed her National Board... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Porter Square, Lobby Level

10:45am EDT

Making Data Interactive with R Shiny: A Teacher Workforce Planning Example
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description:Education leaders often need to turn complex data into clear, usable tools for planning and decision-making. In this hands-on session, participants will use a teacher workforce planning example to learn how R Shiny apps are structured and how interactive features are built. The session will introduce the roles of global.R, ui.R, and server.R, then guide...
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Speakers
avatar for Matt Faiello

Matt Faiello

Associate Data Scientist, Delaware Department of Education
Matt Faiello is an Associate Data Scientist at the University of Delaware’s Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, where he supports the Delaware Department of Education’s statewide analyses and the development of practical decision-support tools. He was a Cohort... Read More →

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Remington, 2nd Floor

10:45am EDT

Next-Generation Readiness: Speech Analytics, Teacher-Feedback Tools, and Open Data for Early Learning Measurement
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: This session explores how emerging speech and sensing technologies and teacher-feedback tools can enhance school-readiness measurement by capturing naturalistic indicators of language, engagement, and self-regulation. Speakers will examine links between these multimodal data sources and traditional readiness assessments, highlight responsible integration within...
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Speakers
MF

Michael Frank

Stanford University

avatar for Remy Pages (Session Chair)

Remy Pages (Session Chair)

State of Hawaii - Executive Office on Early Learning / SDP Fellow
avatar for Meredith Rowe

Meredith Rowe

Professor, Harvard University
Meredith Rowe is Saul Zaentz Professor of Early Learning and Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She leads a research program on understanding the role of parent and family factors in children's early language and literacy development. She is particularly interested... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Kendall Square, Lobby Level

10:45am EDT

The Power of Less: Achieving Coherence Through Subtractive Design
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: Education leaders often default to "additive bias," layering initiatives until systems become cluttered and ineffective. This interactive session reorients leaders toward achieving coherence through strategic subtraction. Drawing on Leidy Klotz’s research, participants will audit their agencies for "zombie programs" and redundant processes using a practical "Proving and...
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Speakers
avatar for Sean Berkstresser

Sean Berkstresser

Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Tulsa Public Schools
Sean Berkstresser is the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer for Tulsa Public Schools, where he oversees the monitoring and execution of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing district performance and student outcomes. He was appointed to the role in 2024. 

Berkstresser leads a team dedicated to continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, strategic planning, and charter school authorization. In this role, he aligns organizational strategy with district goals and collaborates closely with senior leadership and cross-functional... Read More →
avatar for Akisha Osei Sarfo

Akisha Osei Sarfo

Director of Research, Council of the Great City Schools
Akisha Osei Sarfo, Ph.D. is the Director of Research for the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS). The Council supports and advocates for the nation's largest 82 districts including over 7 million children. In her role, she helps guide and develop the work of research directors across... Read More →
avatar for Bo Yan

Bo Yan

Chief of Accountability, Assessment & Strategy, South Bend Community School Corporation

Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Inman Square, Lobby Level

10:45am EDT

When Data Systems Are Asked to Do More Than They Were Built For: Lessons from Emergency Response
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: Large public data systems are often built for accountability, then later expected to support urgent, human-centered decisions they were never designed for. This session examines what it actually takes to repurpose administrative data responsibly, using work from the California Community Colleges in response to the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires as a case study. Participants...
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Speakers
CO

Christopher Ozuna

CA Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
I’m interested in understanding how schools and communities interact with each other, how we can accurately measure these interactions and how we can apply our findings in ways that make schools more equitable in order to deliver on the promise of public education in America.
Wednesday May 13, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Central Square, Lobby Level

12:00pm EDT

Lunch
Wednesday May 13, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT
Join us for lunch to connect with peers and new colleagues. 

There is no formal programming during lunch.

Wednesday May 13, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

Finish What We Start: A Case Study on Momentum, Transfer, and Completion
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: Community colleges often celebrate high transfer rates, yet students who transfer without a credential face weaker long-term outcomes. This session shares a case study from Madison College where disaggregated data revealed a hidden completion risk among high-momentum transfer and dual credit students. Participants will explore how evidence reshaped advising, governance...
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Speakers
avatar for Zong Her

Zong Her

Founder and Principal Consultant, Current: Her Data Insights, LLC. Prior (Madison College)
I am currently working full-time with "Grandma's Daycare" taking care of two grandchildren under 2. I retired from Madison College after over two decades of service and am still passionate about research & data analytics, thus have my own consulting company on that (part-time) focusing... Read More →
avatar for Marco Torrez-Miranda

Marco Torrez-Miranda

Dean, School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Madison College
Dr. Marco Torrez-Miranda is Dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Madison College. His work focuses on advancing student success through equity-centered leadership, data-informed practice, and systems change in higher education. With experience spanning behavioral... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Kendall Square, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

From Proof to Practice: Using District Data Partnerships to Improve Summer Learning in Boston Public Schools
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: Summer programs offer powerful opportunities to close learning gaps and expand access to enriching experiences, yet districts often struggle to align program goals, outcomes, and evaluation in ways that support improvement. This session shares how Boston Public Schools built a cross-department data partnership to use formative assessment data and comparison groups to...
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Speakers
NR

Nicole Reddig

Research & Partnerships Analyst, Boston Public Schools
MC

Meg Caven

Director of Organizational Insight, Boston Public Schools
I lead the team that conducts internal research and evaluation within the district, and partners with external researchers.
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Porter Square, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

Leveraging Participatory Action Research (PAR) to Engender Trust
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: What happens when Early Childhood Educators drive research and data analysis about the sector? This session explores a Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Policy model developed for Black and Latine women in ECE. Based on the report "Participatory Action Research and Policy Change" we will explore model design, impact on worker agency, and strategies for successful...
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Speakers
avatar for Rhonda Broussard

Rhonda Broussard

Founder & CEO, Beloved Community
Rhonda J. Broussard is an author, entrepreneur, and futurist. She is the Founder & CEO of Beloved Community and Awa by Beloved, PBC. She developed Beloved Community to create sustainable paths to regional racial and economic equity. Rhonda has been recognized as a Chevalier of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the French Ministry of Culture, is a Highland Leader, a Tulane Mellon Fellow, a Pahara-Aspen... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Central Square, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

Open-Source Tidy Education Finance Data: A Hands-On Workshop with edfinr
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: Accessing and analyzing education finance data requires significant data wrangling expertise, creating barriers for researchers, advocates, and policymakers. In this hands-on workshop, participants will use edfinr – a free, open-source R package – to load clean school finance datasets, analyze funding patterns, and adjust for inflation, leaving with working code for...
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Speakers
avatar for Alex Spurrier

Alex Spurrier

Associate Partner, Bellwether


BM

Biko McMillan

Senior Analyst, Bellwether

avatar for Bonnie O'Keefe

Bonnie O'Keefe

Partner, Bellwether


Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Remington, 2nd Floor

1:15pm EDT

SAFE and Connected: Negotiating for an Ethical, Interoperable, and Human-Centric AI Future
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: In the age of Generative AI, student data is no longer just a record of achievement; it’s the key source for training and refining frontier models. As districts determine what AI tools to use, procurement is the intersection where safety meets connectivity. Participants will get hands-on experience with our AI Data Use and Protection Toolkit and walk away with a...
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Speakers
avatar for Andrea Claver

Andrea Claver

Project Manager - EDSAFE AI Alliance, InnovateEDU

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Inman Square, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

Writing Actionable Insights: Turning Evidence into Clear, Usable Messages
Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: Education research often fails to influence decisions because findings are communicated in ways that are accurate but not actionable. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn and practice evidence-based strategies for writing clear, concrete, and decision-ready insights that communicate what works and why, using real examples from education research. This...
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Speakers
CC

Carrie Conaway

Senior lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Education

avatar for Christina Claiborne

Christina Claiborne

Director- EdResearch for Action, Annenberg Institute at Brown University

Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Harvard Square, Lobby Level

2:45pm EDT

Capstones + Coffee: Fellows' Impact
Wednesday May 13, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Please join fellows from Cohort 16 (2024-2026) and MSI Data Community of Practice (2025-2026) on both the 14th and 16th floors to view their capstone posters. During this block, fellows will be present to discuss and review their work with the SDP network. Cohort 16 and MSI fellow posters will be intermixed between both floors. This year, capstone posters will remain available throughout the...
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Speakers
avatar for MSI Cohort 1 Fellows

MSI Cohort 1 Fellows

Strategic Data Project

avatar for SDP Cohort 16 Fellows

SDP Cohort 16 Fellows

Strategic Data Project
Cohort 16 includes SDP Fellows from 41 education organizations, including school districts, state agencies, and nonprofits, with fellows using data to answer key questions about early education through postsecondary outcomes. 
These 46 fellows, selected from across the nation, represent a broad spectrum of educational institutions and organizations, working at the local, state, and national levels to support students from early childhood through postsecondary education. This cohort includes new partnerships... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Mt. Auburn (14th Floor) & Charles View (16th Floor) 14th & 16th FLOORS

4:30pm EDT

Meeting the Moment: The Evidence We Have and Need to Address the Education Challenges of Today
Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm EDT
How can academic research “meet the moment” in a time when school-related crises dominate the headlines, and how do we turn data into real action for students?In this keynote, Prof. Matt Kraft (Brown University) will explore how evidence can help us better understand what is happening in schools today and guide more effective responses. He will highlight where we have strong proof about what...
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Speakers
avatar for Matthew Kraft

Matthew Kraft

Professor of Education and Economics, Brown University
Dr. Matthew Kraft is a Professor of Education and Economics at Brown University, a Guggenheim Fellow, a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a Fellow with the American Educational Research Association. His research focuses on two primary areas: improving... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

5:45pm EDT

Conference Reception
Wednesday May 13, 2026 5:45pm - 6:45pm EDT
Join us for a Happy Hour prior to the SDP Convening 2026 Dinner, held from 5:45–6:45 PM in the Riverside Pavilion on the lobby level of the hotel. Beer and wine will be served.

This informal gathering offers a chance to reconnect with colleagues, reflect on the day’s sessions, and transition into the evening’s programming in a relaxed setting.

Wednesday May 13, 2026 5:45pm - 6:45pm EDT
Riverside Pavilion, Lobby Level

6:45pm EDT

Dinner & Data: SDP Convening 2026
Wednesday May 13, 2026 6:45pm - 8:45pm EDT
Join us as we kick off Convening with an evening of connection, celebration, and inspiration! We'll enjoy a plated dinner, reflect on the impact of our shared work, and honor this year’s Strategic Data Excellence Award winner—celebrating powerful, behind-the-scenes data efforts that create real change.Plus, don’t miss a one-of-a-kind performance by local students from the A Tribe Called...
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Wednesday May 13, 2026 6:45pm - 8:45pm EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

8:30pm EDT

After-Dinner Connections
Join fellow attendees for an informal gathering at the end of Day 1, following the welcome dinner. This is a relaxed chance to unwind, continue conversations from the day, meet new colleagues, and reconnect with familiar faces. We’ll meet at the Paperback Tavern, conveniently located on Level 2 of the conference hotel. Please plan to cover your own tab.
Speakers
avatar for Christopher Leake

Christopher Leake

National Senior Vice President, Teach For America
Experienced Software Engineering and Technology leader with a demonstrated history in compliance, media production, legal technology, fintech, and hardware manufacturing, specializing in agile processes, startup innovation, scaling, distributed workforce management, retention, and... Read More →
avatar for Nasaa Enkhbold

Nasaa Enkhbold

Executive Director, HR Operations, Guilford County Schools
As the Executive Director of HR Operations at Guilford County Schools, Nasaa supports school and district leaders in identifying and reducing inequity through strategic and often novel uses of district data. He is especially passionate about developing automated software tools and... Read More →
Wednesday May 13, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm EDT
Paperback Tavern, Level 2, Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge Hotel
 
Thursday, May 14
 

7:15am EDT

Morning Momentum: Optional Run/Walk
Thursday May 14, 2026 7:15am - 8:00am EDT
Start your day with some fresh air and light movement alongside fellow attendees. Join us for an informal morning run or walk—no sign-up required.Runners and walkers will meet in the hotel lobby at 7:15AM and head out together before the morning’s breakfast and programming begins. All paces are welcome. Lace up and let a bit of exercise jumpstart a productive day of learning and...
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Speakers
avatar for Matt Linick

Matt Linick

Senior Fellow, NORC at the University of Chicago

avatar for Megan Lane Conklin

Megan Lane Conklin

Director of Data, Hope Chicago
Experienced educational researcher with a demonstrated history of analyzing issues of equity and evaluating the effectiveness of education policy. Skilled in quantitative methods, school choice, educational psychology, predictive model building, and geocoding. Strong interdisciplinary... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 7:15am - 8:00am EDT
Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge Hotel 575 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

8:00am EDT

Breakfast
Thursday May 14, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Start your morning with a light breakfast and good company before diving into another full day of learning and connection.

It’s the perfect time to reflect on Day 1, meet new colleagues, and gear up for the exciting sessions ahead.

Grab some coffee, fuel up, and let’s get Day 2 started!
Thursday May 14, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

8:00am EDT

Cohort 17 Breakfast
Thursday May 14, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Fuel up for the day ahead! Join us for a light breakfast and Leadership Stories from the Cohort prior to the kickoff of the workshop.

This session is closed to Cohort 17 fellows only

This is your chance to connect with peers, grab a coffee, and get energized for an exciting day of learning and collaboration.
Thursday May 14, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Kendall Square, Lobby Level

9:00am EDT

Finding Truth in the Noise: Data, Assessment, and Positive Progress in an AI World
Thursday May 14, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
In an era of AI and information overload, how do we focus the narrative on data that is truly helpful for students, families, and educators? In this fireside chat, CEPR's Dr. Christina Grant and former Education Commissioner of Tennessee, Penny Lee Schwinn, will explore the future of data and assessment in a world where we need to distinguish between signals and noise, use evidence to guide...
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Thursday May 14, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

10:15am EDT

Coffee + Connections Networking Break
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:15am - 10:45am EDT
Recharge and reconnect between sessions with a cup of coffee or tea. Use this time to catch up with colleagues, reflect on ideas from the sessions you’ve attended so far, and get ready for what’s ahead in the program.
Whether you’re processing new insights or gearing up for your next session, this break offers a timely pause to reset and refocus.
Speakers
avatar for Megan Schoor

Megan Schoor

Senior Data Operations Specialist, OFM Forecasting & Research Systems

avatar for Ashley Pierson

Ashley Pierson

Director of Data Strategy, Salem-Keizer Public Schools

Thursday May 14, 2026 10:15am - 10:45am EDT
Lobby Level, Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge Hotel 575 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

10:45am EDT

Capturing Community Voice at Scale: Balancing AI, Equity, and Trust
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: Districts often struggle to build trust with community stakeholders that their input has been captured, accurately represented, and equitably reflected in decision making. Atlanta Public Schools will share how it explored the use of artificial intelligence to support large scale community feedback, including data sources, validation strategies, and efficiency gains....
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Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Owens

Jennifer Owens

Data Coordinator, Atlanta Public Schools
Jennifer Owens is a Data Coordinator with Atlanta Public Schools who specializes in Tableau and data visualization to transform complex data into clear insights that drive action.  As a recent fellow with Harvard’s Strategic Data Project, Jennifer explored innovative applications... Read More →
avatar for Travis Norvell

Travis Norvell

Chief Strategy Officer, Atlanta Public Schools


MS

Mavi Shrestha

Datawarehouse Manager, Atlanta Public Schools


Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Porter Square, Lobby Level

10:45am EDT

Cultivating a Culture of Continuous Improvement through Outcomes Based Contracting
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: Many districts struggle to ensure that their investments in educational programs improve student outcomes and are implemented with integrity. Participants will explore one district’s successful Outcomes Based Contracting approach—which produced a 0.39 SD effect in middle school math—and gain practical tools including contract templates, a framework for evaluating...
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Speakers
avatar for Christina M. Gazdick

Christina M. Gazdick

Director, Research Evaluation and Data, Duval County Public Schools
Christina M. Gazdick is a seasoned leader with a distinguished career spanning 23 years in organizational management and strategic direction. As a Director of Research, Evaluation, and Data based in Jacksonville, Florida, Christina brings a wealth of experience in overseeing complex... Read More →
avatar for Elise Lenthe

Elise Lenthe

Director, Insights & Analytics, Center for Outcomes Based Contracting
Elise Lenthe is the Director of Insights & Analytics at the Center for Outcomes Based Contracting, where she leads the organization's research, data infrastructure, and impact measurement work. The Center helps districts and providers implement contracts that embed measurable student... Read More →
avatar for Cara Jackson

Cara Jackson

Research Manager, The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting at SEF
Cara supports education agencies to build and use evidence to improve student outcomes. She has conducted education research and evidence reviews on a variety of topics, including tutoring and historical writing interventions, policies related to instructional quality, and teacher... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Central Square, Lobby Level

10:45am EDT

Instructional Coherence for Literacy: Knox County Randomized Control Trial Demonstrates Stronger Growth, Better Alignment, and Teacher Support
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: Instructional coherence is the emerging practice of aligning all aspects of learning to reduce “instructional code-switching” between varying procedures, approaches, and curriculum. In this session, we will share learnings from a district pilot and randomized control trail on implementing instructional coherence for early literacy. Those interested in supporting...
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Speakers
avatar for Erin Phillips

Erin Phillips

Executive Director of Learning and Literacy, Knox County Schools

avatar for Courtney Bell

Courtney Bell

Vice President of Research and Innovation, The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE)
Courtney leads SCORE’s strategic practice portfolio, which focuses on piloting research-based approaches to improving student outcomes and working to spread and scale those effective practices across Tennessee. Additionally, she leads SCORE’s research and data analysis efforts... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Remington, 2nd Floor

10:45am EDT

Positive Program Review Through Shared Goals and Accessible Data
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: Reviewing degree programs or other similar administrative tasks often surfaces data that is difficult to discuss without damaging trust or relationships. This session will share a method for aligning shared program goals with accessible, simplified data to support constructive, relationship-centered conversations about program performance and improvement using...
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Speakers
avatar for Wyl McCully

Wyl McCully

Market Research Analyst, Lansing Community College
Wyl is a technologist who has spent two decades in a wide range of higher education contexts. Originally trained in journalism at Northern Michigan University, he developed a healthy understanding of rhetoric, earning an MS at North Dakota State University, and acquired extensive... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Kendall Square, Lobby Level

10:45am EDT

Proof in Practice: Building Trustworthy Data Systems with Google Tools
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: Schools and districts are always searching for ways to streamline data collection and help generate proof points. And while the vast majority of organizations are using the Google Suite, most are using it for its basic functionality and not tapping into its full potential. This session will highlight various tools built in the Google Suite and inspire school/district...
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Speakers
avatar for Chris Cutrona

Chris Cutrona

Edsightful, LLC
I create custom solutions in the Google Suite to help schools and districts better understand the impact of their programs. I am formerly a Cohort 7 SDP Fellow!
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Inman Square, Lobby Level

10:45am EDT

Standardizing and Applying Cost Analysis to Inform Educational Decision-Making
Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Session Description: With lingering learning losses from the pandemic and the end of federal aid, asking “Does it work?” is no longer sufficient. Policymakers and school leaders now must ask, “Is it worth it?” when deciding which interventions to fund. This session introduces Accelerate’s Cost Tool (Kohlmoos & Steinberg, 2024), designed to advance the use of cost analysis in...
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Speakers
avatar for Luke Kohlmoos

Luke Kohlmoos

Managing Director Strategy, Accelerate
KS

Kellie Solowski

Senior Research Program Manager, Center for Education Policy Research

avatar for Atsuko Muroga

Atsuko Muroga

Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR)

Thursday May 14, 2026 10:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Harvard Square, Lobby Level

12:00pm EDT

Lunch
Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT
Join us for lunch to connect with peers and new colleagues.

There is no formal programming during lunch.

Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

(Networking) Generative AI in Education Data: Peer-to-Peer and Cross-Role Networking and Collaboration
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: Generative AI is reshaping the education data landscape, yet many professionals approach it without collaboration across the data community. This session brings together participants in similar roles and in cross-role conversations to discuss AI adoption and use, deepening shared understanding of successes, challenges, and needs. Whether you are new to AI or an expert,...
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Speakers
avatar for Stephen Fedore

Stephen Fedore

Founder, K12 Data Partners

avatar for Erin Dillon

Erin Dillon

Vice President of Research, Project Lead The Way
I'm currently the VP of Research at Project Lead The Way, which provides project-based, career-connected, and STEM-focused learning. Previously, I was a researcher at Mathematica and, before that, a Strategic Data Project Fellow with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and... Read More →
avatar for Elena Schmidt

Elena Schmidt

Program Evaluation Manager, Apex Evaluation
I am currently the evaluation team lead at Apex Evaluation and have 15 years in various internal and external evaluation and research roles in public education and public health. I have a keen interest in advancing evaluation as a strategic asset for mission-driven organizations... Read More →
avatar for Carlos Romero

Carlos Romero

Executive Producer, Apex Evaluation
I founded  Apex Evaluation in Albuquerque, New Mexico 25 years ago. We are a team of systems evaluators working with health, education, and social programs that address the wicked problems of inequity. We ascribe and aspire to Equitable Evaluation (EE) principles and practices, which... Read More →
avatar for Holly Karakos

Holly Karakos

Research Director, Project Lead The Way
I am an applied, mixed-methods researcher with over 10 years of experience in non-profit education organizations. I am a firm believer in the brilliance of young people and the role education can play in nurturing their gifts. I welcome all new connections and conversations, with... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Harvard Square, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

(Networking) How can you create and sustain a culture of evidence and inquiry in your organization?
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: Many education organizations often treat evidence as an afterthought, rather than a crucial basis for decision-making. These organizations often lack a culture of asking the right questions and relying on evidence for decision making. In this session, participants will identify gaps in evidence use in their organizations and discuss strategies for how to create - and...
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Speakers
avatar for Cara Jackson

Cara Jackson

Research Manager, The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting at SEF
Cara supports education agencies to build and use evidence to improve student outcomes. She has conducted education research and evidence reviews on a variety of topics, including tutoring and historical writing interventions, policies related to instructional quality, and teacher... Read More →
MD

Matthew Duque

Executive Director of Research, Maryland State Department of Education
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Porter Square, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

(Networking) Monkey SEA, Monkey Do: Identifying Challenges and Practices for Accountability, Assessment, and Reporting in SEAs
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: SEA staff across the country face shared challenges in data reporting, assessment, and accountability but often lack opportunities to connect with peers in similar roles. This networking session will bring SEA professionals together for structured small-group discussions to share experiences, compare approaches, and learn from one another. SEA staff working in reporting,...
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Speakers
SS

Sadeq Sohrabie

researcher

avatar for Jeremy Simon

Jeremy Simon

Education Data Analyst, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Central Square, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

(Networking) Proof in the Periphery: Illuminating Impact from Outside the Research Office
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: Many data practitioners serve as the sole data voice within functional departments or small organizations where they must navigate cultures unfamiliar with rigorous evidence. This session brings these lone strategists together to swap strategies for establishing trust, managing workflows, and avoiding duplicative silos. Data strategists in LEAs/SEAs in HR, Finance,...
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Speakers
avatar for Emily Gell

Emily Gell

Federal Programs Data Strategist, Atlanta Public Schools
As a data strategist and program evaluator with a background in education policy, I specialize in translating complex data into actionable insights that drive equity-focused decision-making in public education.

With a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University and experience at both the school district and research levels, I lead evaluations of federally funded initiatives, design systems for continuous improvement, and collaborate with leadership teams to ensure strategies are evidence-based... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Remington, 2nd Floor

1:15pm EDT

(Networking) Ready for What? Rethinking College and Career Readiness
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: While “college and career readiness” is a familiar phrase, college and career are hardly on equal footing in how success is defined and measured. This facilitated community dialogue will bring participants together to examine how current readiness frameworks shape policy, accountability systems, and public narratives about school quality. Participants from different roles...
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Speakers
avatar for James Riddlesperger

James Riddlesperger

Senior Program Director, State and Federal Policy, ACT
https://avatars.sched.co/4/7c/7965153/avatar.jpg.320x320px.jpg?daa
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Inman Square, Lobby Level

1:15pm EDT

(Networking) The Data Adoption Clinic
Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Session Description: Data initiatives often fail at the adoption stage due to user resistance and data grief. This structured exchange will convene leaders, analysts, and directors to crowd-source solutions for managing data change. Participants will rotate through themed round tables on easing emotional resistance, aligning system design to user workloads, and building trust between data builders...
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Speakers
avatar for Justine Ingram

Justine Ingram

Data Strategist, Gilbert Public Schools

avatar for Peter Bartanen

Peter Bartanen

Senior Data Analyst, Gilbert Public Schools

avatar for Michaela Fernandez

Michaela Fernandez

Data Analyst, Gilbert Public Schools

Thursday May 14, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Kendall Square, Lobby Level

2:45pm EDT

Building Smart Systems for Better Schools: Automation, ML and LLMs to Support Student Success
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Session Description: This session demonstrates how to automate data pipelines to support advanced analysis and decision making. We highlight a predictive model from Metro Nashville Public Schools identifying 3rd-grade retention risks a year early to trigger proactive interventions and midyear implementation reports from AmplifyLearn.AI for a dozen public school districts on the implementation of...
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Speakers
AC

Arthur Cunningham

Assessment Coordinator | Strategic Data Project Fellow, Metro Nashville Public Schools

avatar for Lief Esbenshade

Lief Esbenshade

University of Washington, AmplifyLearn.AI Center

At the AmplifyLearn.AI center I coordinate and conduct research on applied AI/ML for K-12 math and science education. This includes our ISEA data science training program, national surveys of teachers about the use of AI, and the development of the Colleague AI platform.

Colleague AI is a comprehensive AI platform for K–12 education that supports instruction, learning, school operations, and administration... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Porter Square, Lobby Level

2:45pm EDT

Building Trustworthy Evidence: Partnering for Proof and Positivity in Innovation
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Session Description: In an era of rising skepticism, how do we build the evidence necessary to sustain bold educational innovations? We will go under the hood of two complex evaluations, a large-scale literacy pilot in Oakland and a workforce redesign initiative, to demonstrate how partial proof and transparent data practices can strengthen stakeholder trust. Data leaders and researchers will...
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Speakers
avatar for Calen Clifton

Calen Clifton

Research Analyst, Center on Reinventing Public Education
Calen is a research analyst for the Center on Reinventing Public Education. He studied social studies education at Appalachian State University (2011) and went on to teach middle school in Charlotte, NC, for 7 years. He transitioned into research after earning an Ed.M. from the Harvard... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Inman Square, Lobby Level

2:45pm EDT

Closing the Confidence Gap: Aligning Behavioral Health Metrics with P20W Milestones
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Session Description:  This session is centered on aligning behavioral health metrics with key P–20W milestones (e.g., kindergarten readiness, 9th-grade transition, postsecondary persistence/completion, and early workforce outcomes). School mental health is often treated as a support function separate from academic outcomes measured in service counts and compliance checkboxes...
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Speakers
avatar for Curt Merlau

Curt Merlau

Manager, Public Consulting Group
Dr. Curt Merlau is a former educator and administrator with expertise in designing, developing, and deploying large-scale digital transformations within state departments of education. Curt currently serves as a manager within the education practice at Public Consulting Group (PCG... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Remington, 2nd Floor

2:45pm EDT

From Logs to Learning: How a Data Standard Improves High-Dosage Tutoring
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Session Description: Knowing whether educational improvement efforts are yielding improved student outcomes often depends on information outside state longitudinal systems. From Logs to Learning shows how a data standard for tutoring creates shared definitions that enable transparency, comparability, faster feedback loops, and high-quality continuous improvement. We will share an open tutoring...
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Speakers
avatar for Shaunté Duggins

Shaunté Duggins

Director & Research Scientist, State Initiatives, University of Florida
Shaunté Duggins serves as Director of State Initiatives and Research Scientist at the Lastinger Center, leading the New Worlds Reading Initiative and the Florida Tutoring Advantage.

In her previous role as Associate Director for New Worlds Reading, Shaunté led the implementation of this statewide book delivery program since its establishment in 2021. Prior to New Worlds Reading, Shaunté was senior manager of literacy initiatives. In this role, she facilitated... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Glover

Sarah Glover

Board Member, Littera
Sarah currently serves on the board of Littera Education where she is helping them grow Lumen, Littera's tutor management system. Sarah also supports the National Tutoring Observatory at Cornell and serves as a management and leadership coach.

Sarah co-founded the Outcomes Based Contracting initiative, incubating it at CEPR and expanding it at the Southern Education Foundation. Before that, she was a founding executive leadership team member at Panorama Education where she led the Client Success team, growing it to a team... Read More →
avatar for Jason Godfrey

Jason Godfrey

Director of Data Science, Accelerate

Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Central Square, Lobby Level

2:45pm EDT

New Tools for Working Across Education Datasets for Interoperability at Scale
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Session Description: Education data systems are abundant yet fragmented, unstable, and difficult to reuse forstrategic decision-making. This session offers two solutions to address these challenges. First, we present a FAIR-aligned framework and practical tools for mapping, stabilizing and reusing education data from a cross-state study of 3,822 public K-12 datasets. Then we present findings from...
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Speakers
avatar for Alex Bowers

Alex Bowers

Professor of Education Leadership, Teachers College, Columbia University

avatar for Tara Chiatovich

Tara Chiatovich

Tara Chiatovich has worked as a research and data scientist for more than a decade across industry, academia, public education, and the non-profit sector. Her projects have spanned getting AI into products, extracting insights from national education datasets, leading webinars, and... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Kendall Square, Lobby Level

2:45pm EDT

Proving and Improving in Low-Maturity Data Environments
Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Session Description: Fast-growing public-sector and nonprofit organizations often need data insights before their systems are ready. This session shares how our team developed a sprint-based Data Strategy Delivery System to deliver useful dashboards, tools, and data products while still supporting a long-term data strategy. Data practitioners and leaders, especially those working in low-maturity...
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Speakers
avatar for Val Melikhova

Val Melikhova

Senior Research Analyst, Harvard Strategic Data Fellow, Next Education Workforce at ASU Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College

avatar for Liam Honigsberg

Liam Honigsberg

Director, InfoSys and Partnerships, Next Education Workforce at Arizona State University


avatar for Gershwin Penn

Gershwin Penn

Senior Research Analyst, Next Education Workforce, ASU


Thursday May 14, 2026 2:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Harvard Square, Lobby Level

4:15pm EDT

Brighter Pathways: Connecting High School, College, and the Growing Promise of Two-Year Institutions
Thursday May 14, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Join for an Ed Talk style presentation from Professor Shaun Dougherty, spotlighting how we’ve blurred the lines between secondary and postsecondary education. As SDP has expanded intentionally both into early education and postsecondary education, Dr. Daugherty will share what we know about the positive: what pathways smooth the transition, and where are we now with the roles and opportunities...
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Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Marshall

Rebecca Marshall

Associate Director of Programs, SDP, Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard
Rebecca is the Associate Director of Programs for Strategic Data Project at the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University. In this role, she manages the Strategic Data Project Fellowship, which works with education agencies to find and train data leaders to... Read More →
avatar for Shaun Dougherty

Shaun Dougherty

Professor of Education & Policy, Boston College
Shaun M. Dougherty (Ed.D., quantitative policy analysis, Harvard University), is a Professor of Education & Policy at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education & Human Development, the Chair of the Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment Department, and the Director... Read More →
Thursday May 14, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Amesbury Ballroom, Lobby Level

5:15pm EDT

Cohort 16 Reception
Thursday May 14, 2026 5:15pm - 7:00pm EDT
Following the conclusion of Convening 2026, Cohort 16 fellows are welcome to join us for a short evening of programming with heavy appetizers and drinks to celebrate the cohort. Please note venue change - reception to be held on the 14th floor. Light programming and an opportunity for a fellow speaker will round out the evening. A formal dinner will not be served, and the social hour...
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Thursday May 14, 2026 5:15pm - 7:00pm EDT
Mt. Auburn, 14th Floor
 
Friday, May 15
 

8:00am EDT

Cohort 16 Breakfast & Graduation
Friday May 15, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Breakfast will be hosted for SDP C16 fellows from 8 - 9 AM. Breakfast is located in Porter Square Room across from Harvard Square room. All programming for this session will be for C16 fellows to celebrate their accomplishments and impact throughout their fellowship. As fellows transition to drafting the Impact Story, we will look forward to “What’s Next” as well as take a...
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Friday May 15, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Harvard Square, Lobby Level
  General Session, Cohort 16 Fellows Only
  • Special Note This session is reserved only for Cohort 16 only. All other attendees who sign up for this session will be removed.
 
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