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CAPACITIES MAP

The Map of Key Capacities—drawn from the research literature—is a detailed representation of the network of the capacities that need to be in place at all levels of the system for effective data use.

All the capacities represented in the map operate in a mutually dependent and dynamic interaction. Effective data use will not be accomplished if only some parts of this map are in place in the system.

The map highlights the five Anchor Capacities (in green) that are foundational for data use:

  • Leadership
  • Data Quality Assurance
  • Infrastructure
  • Communication
  • Action for Learning

The related capacity elements for each Key Capacity are shown in yellow. The text arrows express the nature of the relationship among the capacities. For example, the Key Capacity of Leadership is necessary to create a Culture of Collaboration for data use. In turn, a Culture of Collaboration supports a Culture of Inquiry.

The purpose of the Capacities Map is to illustrate the relationships between the essential elements of data use.

Specifically, the Capacities Map can be useful to:

  • Regional Comprehensive Center (RCC) staff assisting a state department of education in understanding all the elements that need to be in place for effective data use.
  • District-level administrators interested in determining how Leadership functions as a cornerstone of effective data use.  For example, district-level administrators could use the map to prompt conversations about the relationship between their Leadership and their district’s data use culture and to think about how this relationship could be strengthened.
  • Site-level administrators wanting to know what factors to consider to ensure the technical quality of their school’s data.  For example, the principal could use the map to learn about the components of quality assessment data and consider if the data used in the school were of sufficient quality to support educational decisions. 
  • Teacher leaders looking at what actions and stakeholders are involved in communicating about data and how communication strategies directly influence the decisions that are made about curriculum, programs, and resource allocation.