In an ever-evolving educational landscape, it is crucial for districts to utilize Return on Investment (ROI) metrics to ensure that resources are being used effectively to improve student outcomes. Dr. Frederick Williams, the Superintendent of Dublin City Schools and Georgia Superintendent of the Year, has been a driving force in leveraging data-driven strategies to improve student achievement and drive continuous improvements within his district for nearly a decade. In a recent conversation with Jessica Williams from Level Data, Dr. Williams shared his insights and experiences on how the partnership with Glimpse, Level Data's return on investment platform, has evolved over the past 5 years. 

Key Insights 

Evolving Needs and a Responsive Solution 

During the conversation, Dr. Williams explained, "Initially, we had a high level of excitement and desire for the Glimpse platform's capabilities." He noted, "As our needs changed, Glimpse was responsive in providing solutions, and the open communication between the two organizations has been valuable as education and reporting requirements have shifted." 

Dr. Williams emphasized the importance of having a centralized data platform where various stakeholders, including the board, district-level, and building-level personnel, can collaborate to define and monitor the performance objectives and measures aligned with the district's strategic plan. He explained that the district uses the Glimpse platform to track summative data, such as milestone scores, and formative data, such as beacon and other progress-monitoring assessments, to gauge its progress toward its goals. 

The Collaborative Stakeholder Process and Supportive Team Effort 

Dr. Williams described, "The collaborative nature of this process, where the strategic plan and its associated performance measures were developed with input from internal and external stakeholders, has been invaluable." 

Furthermore, Dr. Williams highlighted the significance of having a supportive team that can provide guidance and assistance throughout this data-driven journey. He acknowledged the Glimpse team's effort to continuously align his data with district goals and strategic plans, and the focus on this data-driven approach remains a top priority for the district. 

Measuring Actions and Driving Gains in Math 

Dr. Williams emphasized the district's commitment to continuous improvement, stating, "We are constantly monitoring and questioning what we need to do more of or better to achieve our goals," The data he has access to through Glimpse allows him to monitor goals and progress from the district level to individual classrooms and students. 

Dr. William's leadership and commitment to data-driven decision-making have also been instrumental in driving significant gains in math scores within the district. Using the data from Glimpse, he attributed this progress to people embracing work and keeping an eye on the data, emphasizing the importance of accountability and a performance-driven culture. 

"This approach has helped us create a performance-driven culture," Dr. Williams stated. "We focus on the fundamentals, measure our progress, and make data-driven decisions to achieve our goals." 

A Transformative Partnership 

The partnership between Dublin City Schools and Level Data has been a transformative journey, showcasing the power of data-driven insights to drive continuous improvement and student success. Dr. Williams didn't hesitate to note, "Using the Glimpse platform has been a game-changer; it has allowed us to measure our actions and progress," something critical to the culture he has created over the last decade.   

To watch the full interview, click here.