Guides and Checklists for Understanding Education Data
Families, educators, and community members deserve clear, accessible tools for understanding the data that shapes our schools. These guides and checklists were created by a teacher who loves data and believes that information should empower—not overwhelm—people. Whether you’re exploring childcare availability, school performance, attendance trends, or college pathways, these resources will help you navigate the dashboards with confidence.
Start Here: How to Use This Site
Use these quick guides to learn how to read charts, maps, and dashboards across Future Path Data.
Guides
- How to Read a Dashboard Step-by-step instructions for exploring maps, charts, and data points.
- Understanding Education Data Terms A family-friendly glossary of common terms like “chronic absenteeism,” “capacity,” and “postsecondary enrollment.”
- How to Explore Your County’s Data A simple guide for zooming in, clicking data points, and interpreting results.
- How to Compare Regions Tips for understanding differences between counties, districts, or regions.
Checklists for Families and Educators
Childcare Availability Checklist What to look for when exploring childcare capacity and access.
Data-Informed Instruction Checklist How to use data to support student learning.
School Data Checklist Key questions to ask about attendance, performance, and student supports.
Family Communication Checklist Tips for explaining data clearly to parents and guardians.
College & Career Readiness Checklist What families can look for when exploring postsecondary pathways.
Equity & Access Checklist Questions to help identify gaps and opportunities in your community.
SPED-Friendly Tools and Inclusive Practices
Because inclusive education is central to strong communities, this section highlights SPED-friendly strategies that support all learners. These resources complement the data dashboards by helping educators understand how to apply insights in real classrooms. (To Come)
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Inclusive Learning Strategies
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Creating Accessible Lesson Plans
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Using Data to Support Diverse Learners
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Engaging Parents and Guardians
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Adapting Classroom Environments
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Technology Integration for Accessibility
Downloadable Resources (to come)
Printable guides and checklists will be added here as the project grows. These resources are designed to be SPED-friendly, family-friendly, and easy to use in classrooms, meetings, or at home.