Strategic Data Project Convening 2026

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 adoption and improve reporting immediately in their own contexts. Ideal for data, school, and district teams.

Intended Audience: Districts, charters or other local education agencies; Data analysts or independent researchers; State education agencies; Service providers; Managers of data or technology teams; Senior leaders (including cabinet-level leaders and executive directors)

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 session is designed for analysts, researchers, and education leaders who want their evidence to be understood, trusted, and used in practice.

Intended Audience: Data analysts or independent researchers; Service providers; Districts, charters or other local education agencies

Full Session: This session is at or near capacity. Please be sure to fill in every seat where possible.

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 education program evaluations. Participants will engage with the tool, explore its features, review real-world use cases, and discuss how standardized cost analysis can improve the transparency and rigor of educational decision-making. Please bring a device to engage with the tool (linked in Sched).

Intended Audience: Districts, charters or other local education agencies; State education agencies; Service providers

*Slides and activity can be found below the presenters*

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Helpful Links & Resources:

• https://accelerate.us/cost-tool/
• Downloadable as: Excel version & Google Sheet
• Summary infographic
• Definition of tutoring dosage (scheduled vs. actual)
• Report on tutoring efficiency
• Cost analysis - report

         Tutorial video

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, the session offers space to exchange experiences, learn from peers, and build connections that support effective and responsible AI use.

Intended Audience: Managers of data or technology teams; Data analysts or independent researchers; Senior leaders (including cabinet-level leaders and executive directors)

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 data environments, will leave with concrete approaches for turning fragmented data into actionable insight.

Intended Audience: Nonprofit organizations; Managers of data or technology teams; Data analysts or independent researchers

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 moment for a cohort photo.  

Following a short transition & coffee break. Outside guests may join at 10:45 AM for our final portion of progamming, where we will hear remarks from fellows, staff, and participate in a moment of recognition for your accomplishments.