Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose is joined by Emily Persons, Research and Evaluation Manager at the Modern Classrooms Project to discuss equitable mindsets and approaches for working with and gathering data.

What is data equity?

Data equity is the set of principles that guides the work of individuals that work with data. As educators, we work with data daily. The focus of data equity is to help data users center equity and inclusivity throughout each stage of a project.

Data is simply information. Emily further explained that there are many forms of data. For example, data can take the form of test scores, survey responses, observations, etc. Emily went on to state that data can be collected both formally through items such as surveys and test scores and informally, observing a change of mood in a student.

Data can be a stressful subject for educators, but there can be ways to alleviate this stress. Emily stresses the need for balance, stating that not all data collection needs to be tied to high-stakes decisions, nor do all decisions need to be data-driven. It is important to start small by implementing tools such as learner reflections.

Additionally, it is important to minimize bias when collecting data. Emily emphasized the importance of checking assumptions and reframing one’s perspective as a way to reduce biases when conducting research. Having multiple data sources can also reduce bias, as can working alongside a thought partner.

There are important questions one should ask when designing a study to ensure there is data equity, such as:

• Who is data being collected from?

• What contexts are represented?

• Who is not represented?

It is important to take the time to ask these questions when designing a study because decisions that are made based on the data collected have real consequences that affect real people.

Designing a study and collecting data while simultaneously attempting to keep equity at the center are difficult tasks. However, the Modern Classrooms Project Teacher Research Toolkit, will aid educators and school district leaders in designing studies that are centered on equity and inclusivity.

Discussion Questions:

• Reflect on the data that you and your school collect. Answer the questions mentioned above:
  Who is data being collected from? What contexts are represented? Who is not represented?

• What does data mean to you? Did this podcast help shift some things for you?

Our Host

Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that she never had growing up, so she focuses on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around her. As a queer Filipinx, she understands just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. She especially loves being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.

Our Guest: Emily Persons

If you’d like to connect with Emily you can follow her on Twitter @emilypersons

Contact the MCP Research team at research@modernclassrooms.org

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