Strategic Data Project Convening 2026

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 their own contexts. Basic R experience recommended.

Intended Audience: Data analysts or independent researchers; Nonprofit organizations; State education agencies

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 evidence, and strategies for building data partnerships that drive continuous improvement. Data leaders are especially encouraged to attend to strengthen evidence-based resource allocation practices.

Intended Audience: Districts, charters or other local education agencies; State education agencies; Managers of data or technology teams