Essential Elements of Comprehensive Data Literacy

Developing a solid foundational knowledge of data literacy is integral to building role-specific knowledge and building capacity of educators to use and apply these skills appropriately. However, the definition of data literacy is inconsistent and often too narrowly applied within the field of education. National experts and technical assistance service providers from multiple centers embarked on a journey to more comprehensively and consistently define the essential elements of data literacy in education. With a goal of identifying common language and explicitly defining the essential elements of data literacy in education, the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI), National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO), IDEA Data Center (IDC), and Center for the Integration of IDEA Data (CIID) teamed up and shared their experiences in providing technical assistance to support data literacy. These Centers collaboratively defined four key elements and three support structures that work together to build capacity in data literacy across all levels of the system.