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Data as a Barometer of Social Justice

By Dr. Tracey Severns, Director of Student Performance, Mount Olive

Public Schools

“I believe that education is For more than a decade, I have been or hoard it. Because when it comes

the civil rights issue of our on a mission, to help everyone, from right down to it, data is more than an
politicians to parents and superinten-
educational resource. It is a barometer
generation. And if you care about dents to support staff, learn how to use of social justice.
promoting opportunity and reducing data. I wanted them to understand it
as I did. I wanted them to “get it.” What Not everyone sees it that way.
inequality, the classroom is the place
to start. Great teaching is about so I didn’t realize was why it meant so Most educators see data as an
much more than education; it is a daily much to me. accountability measure — as a
fight for social justice.” Until recently. It took a while, but it finally way for the State to condemn or
- Secretary Arne Duncan, Oct. 9, 2009 occurred to me. Now I know why I have condone district, school and teacher
At a recent conference in south so much more than an intellectual inter- performance. Many see data as
Jersey, an attendee approached me est in data. Why I get so fired up when a compliance instrument — as
and asked, “Are you the data lady?” I talk about it. So intense when I teach a way for regulatory agencies to
I smiled. I guess I am. how to use it. Why I get so angry monitor adherence to rules and
when others ignore it, reject it, hide it, requirements. Some see data as

Educational Viewpoints -42- Spring 2018