Data competence maturity: developing data-driven decision making

TLDR

Data science aims to improve decision making, and these principles can guide educators to better manage student and operational outcomes. The paper introduces the Data Competence Maturity Model (DCMM) as a foundation for measured, deliberate data use in secondary education. The DCMM is derived from best practices in software development, data analytics, and secondary education literature, and is applied to secondary education settings. The model identifies significant opportunities for schools and LEAs to enhance data‑driven decision making, with higher maturity stages enabling deeper integration and potentially profound improvements in student and operational outcomes.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to lay out the data competence maturity model (DCMM) and discuss how the application of the model can serve as a foundation for a measured and deliberate use of data in secondary education. Design/methodology/approach Although the model is new, its implications, and its application are derived from key findings and best practices from the software development, data analytics and secondary education performance literature. These principles can guide educators to better manage student and operational outcomes. This work builds and applies the DCMM model to secondary education. Findings The conceptual model reveals significant opportunities to improve data-driven decision making in schools and local education agencies (LEAs). Moving past the first and second stages of the data competency maturity model should allow educators to better incorporate data into the regular decision-making process. Practical implications Moving up the DCMM to better integrate data into their decision-making process has the potential to produce profound improvements for schools and LEAs. Data science is about making better decisions. Understanding the path laid out in the DCMM to helping an organization move to a more mature data-driven decision-making process will help improve both student and operational outcomes. Originality/value This paper brings a new concept, the DCMM, to the educational literature and discusses how these principles can be applied to improve decision making by integrating them into their decision-making process and trying to help the organization mature within this framework.