DATAG 2026 Summer Conference

Data conversations are powerful opportunities for school leaders, stakeholders, and teachers to work together when done with purpose, intention, and structures. This professional development sessions equips educators with practical strategies to facilitate collaborative data conversations that deepen understanding and drive change. We will shift conversations from "what do the numbers say?" to "what will we do about it?".

Are you the "New DDC on the Block"? Stepping into the role of District Data Coordinator can feel both exciting and overwhelming. This session, viewed from a district-level perspective, highlights the essentials every beginner should know. We will cover core responsibilities, key resources, and practical lessons learned from real experience. The goal is for you to leave with a clearer understanding of the role and the confidence to start strong.

In this workshop, participants will learn how to transform raw Excel data into clear, interactive dashboards that support meaningful analysis and decision making. The session covers effective dashboard planning, building and structuring PivotTables, and creating interactive PivotCharts with slicers and filters. Attendees will leave with practical techniques they can immediately apply to create dynamic, user friendly dashboards in Excel.

Dryden Elementary School recognized a need for a more structured and focused approach to professional learning around literacy instruction based on the science of reading. At last year's conference presentation titled, Using Data to Inform Early Literacy Instruction, Cheryl used Nicole's Diamond Definition™ process to explore the question: How can we determine if literacy skills are improving in the classroom? In this session, Cheryl will update progress over the past year and how knowing what student behaviors to look for in a classroom is important for staff not only during assessment time, but also for instructional planning. By clarifying the foundational literacy elements students need for success, staff at Dryden CSD ensured their instructional approaches, interventions, and ongoing assessments aligned with their shared understanding. As a result, students are receiving support for what they need to grow their reading proficiency.