Data Literacy for Educators: Making It Count in Teacher Preparation and Practice

As teaching continues to evolve into an evidence-based profession, data literacy has become an essential skill for educators. Teachers, from the brand new to the seasoned professional, must understand how to use data to inform — and improve — their teaching practice.

This resource, cowritten by Ellen Mandinach, Senior Research Scientist and Director of the Data for Decisions Initiative at WestEd, provides educators with concrete strategies for building a bridge between data literacy and teaching practice.

Mandinach and coauthor Edith Gummer:

• Introduce the concept of data literacy for teaching and outline the knowledge and skills it encompasses
• Use examples and case studies that tie theory to practice
• Provide a roadmap for incorporating data literacy into teacher preparation program curricula
• Cover emerging trends, such as virtual and hybrid courses and massive open online courses

The authors also address the intrinsic complexities and possible challenges educators may face in their efforts to integrate data literacy into the classroom.