How Students Use Data to Lead

It’s no longer just teachers and school leaders using data in schools. Across the country, elementary and middle school students are getting in on the action, using data to drive positive change in their schools and communities.

We talked to school leaders about the value of students learning how to use data and make data-informed decisions in their schools as they grow as leaders. While the initiatives might differ from school to school, the outcomes are the same: Children grow their confidence to make decisions, lead their peers, and truly make a difference in the world around them.

From Counting to Changemaking

At first glance, the ways students use data might seem simple.

“They count up the number of donations, and track their progress,” said Shannon Hamm, principal of Circle Center Grade School in Illinois.

But these basic counting exercises lay an important foundation, teaching young learners to collect, organize, and analyze information.

Students at East Gresham Elementary School in Oregon, led by principal Kimberly Miles, take part in surveys that the school leadership team analyzes. Their recommendations are then shared with the school counselor, who uses them to guide activities with the student leadership team. This process creates a feedback loop, ensuring student voices directly shape school initiatives.

As schools build on this foundation, they can include considerations like data privacy and security, ethical data collection methods, and the potential for bias in data interpretation—crucial lessons for students as they navigate an increasingly data-driven world.

Tech-Enabled Student Voice

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in amplifying student voices and empowering young leaders.

Liz Garden, principal of Henry P. Clough Elementary in Massachusetts, highlights how her students have embraced podcasting and video morning announcements. These digital platforms allow students to share their perspectives and ideas with a wider audience.

Other schools are leveraging tools like Google Forms and Canvas to gather student input efficiently.

“Whole school student voting every month on topics” helps inform decision-making, said Cathy Sork, principal of Dorothy Fox Elementary in Washington.

Data-Driven Decision Making

When students use data to inform school decisions, they’re essentially participating in a microcosm of democratic society. This hands-on experience with data-driven decision-making could lead to more informed and engaged citizens in the future.

While some schools are still developing their approach to student data use, others have integrated it deeply into their leadership programs.

At Phelps Luck Elementary School in Maryland, led by principal Ed Cosentino, student leaders use data to identify focus areas for positive challenges, such as improving playground behavior.

Jon Wennstrom, principal of Riley Upper Elementary in Michigan, encourages his student council to use PBIS data to pinpoint areas needing attention. This data-informed approach allows student leaders to target their efforts where they’re most needed.

Cultivating Future Leaders

The benefits of involving students in data-driven leadership extend far beyond the immediate impact on school life.

“Every student should have the opportunity to see themselves as an effective leader both of themselves and others,” said Aqila Malpass, curriculum coordinator for Hoover City Schools in Alabama.

By engaging with data, students develop critical thinking skills, learn to back up their ideas with evidence, and gain confidence in their ability to effect change. These experiences lay the groundwork for future leadership roles, whether in student government, community organizations, or eventually, the professional world.

Getting Started in Your School

As we continue to navigate an increasingly complex and data-rich world, empowering students to understand, analyze, and act on information is more crucial than ever. With your leadership teams, ask yourselves these questions to finetune a strategy that brings more data-driven decision-making opportunities into the classroom.

1. How can we integrate data collection and analysis into existing student leadership programs?
2. What types of data would be most relevant and accessible for our students to work with?
3. How can we ensure that all students, regardless of academic performance, have opportunities to engage in data-driven leadership roles?
4. How can we train teachers and staff to support and guide students in their data-driven leadership efforts?
5. What safeguards do we need to put in place to ensure student privacy and data security when involving students in data analysis?
6. How can we create a feedback loop where student-led data insights are implemented in school decision-making processes?
7. How can we assess and measure the impact of data-driven student leadership on school culture, student engagement, and academic outcomes?

By fostering data literacy and leadership skills from an early age, we’re not just improving our schools—we’re preparing the next generation of informed, capable leaders ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

Nikki Sparks is assistant executive director, Executive Services and Recognition Programs, at NAESP.

Susan Doherty is coordinator, Member Awards and Student Programs, at NAESP.