CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY GAP USING THE CYCLE OF INQUIRY
What is data coaching?
Data coaching is designed to promote the skills and knowledge necessary to build effective
district, program, school, or collaborative teams that use the inquiry process and data to inform
decisions. Data coaches help develop the conditions that support data-informed actions that
ultimately impact student and family outcomes. These foundational conditions are: the
usefulness of data, the capacity of stakeholders to use the data, and an organization-wide
culture that supports and expects the use of data to inform decisions (see Theory of Action
below). Data coaches use the Washington State District and School Data Team Toolkit to
support the inquiry process.
Data Use Theory of Action
Who are the PSESD data coaches?
Each ESD has a team of data coaches (to be certified by OSPI in 2013-14). Certified teams
demonstrate competence in the following areas: facilitation, inquiry, data quality, and technical
(data quality, etc.). PSESD team members represent the following departments/programs:
Early Learning; Learning Teaching & Family Support; Equity in Education; Dropout Intervention
and Re-engagement; Literacy; and Research & Evaluation Services.
How does data coaching help close the opportunity gap?
Data coaching provides a set of tools to support equity-focused conversations. Data coaching
helps staff use data to make the case for and support the development of strategies focused on
improving the conditions for students and families for the purpose of closing the opportunity gap.
How can data coaching support your work?
Data coaches provide specialized training and ongoing support. Assistance is individualized and
based on each education partner’s needs.
For more information contact:
Sarita Siqueiros Thornburg, Research & Evaluation Director
425-917-7724, 253-778-7724, sthornburg@psesd.org