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Contributed Talk

Leadership and Program Management

From Raw Data to the Real Story: Our Systems-Based Approach to Local Accountability

SESSION DATES & TIMES COMING IN AUGUST 2026
Audience Classification: Hybrid Learning
Audience Expertise: Strategic Growth - Experienced leaders focused on optimizing established programs and solving persistent challenges.
Grade Level Focus: Pre-K, Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools
Primary Audience: District Leader, Policy Maker / Govt Official, School Leader
Does this session focus on a specific product? No – This session is focused on ideas, strategies, or practices, not a specific product or service.

    Presenter(s)

  • Dan Pfaff (he/him/his)

    Director of Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment
    Shelby County Public Schools
    Shelbyville, KY, United States

  • Adam Hicks, EdD, NBCT

    Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment
    Shelby County Public Schools
    Shelbyville, KY, United States

Abstract Description : Far too often, virtual and brick-and-mortar schools find themselves 'data-rich, information-poor' (DRIP). Whether due to data illiteracy, inadequate infrastructure, or focusing on 'quantity over quality,' the result is INFORMATION OVERLOAD leading to poor decision-making, missed opportunities, and reduced productivity. Without a clear return on investment, faculty fail to see the 'why' behind data collection efforts, programs struggle to explain their story even when utilizing best practices, and states grow frustrated when accountability measures fail to rise. Even the highest performing teachers will crack under this pressure, contributing to alarming rates of educators leaving the profession. Participants will leave this session ready to: assess their program’s systems integration gaps, outline a stakeholder engagement strategy for community-driven accountability, and develop their first steps toward transparent data communication that builds community trust. We’ll share our framework, some practical tools, and the implementation timeline from our successful transformation.

Learning Objectives:

  • At the end of this session, participants will be able to assess their school and/or district's level of systems integration.
  • At the end of this session, participants will be able to develop a plan for taking their first steps toward transparent, community-focused data communication.