Insights
From Data to Action: Helping Oregon Use Education Data to Expand Opportunity
Revitalizing a Valuable Resource
For years, Oregon educators, district leaders, and policymakers have relied on statewide data dashboards to better understand who is participating in accelerated learning and career and technical education (CTE) opportunities. Accelerated learning courses allow students to get college credit while in high school, while CTE prepares students for employment. The dashboards provide detailed information, helping educators identify where student opportunities are abundant and where gaps remain.
But like many data tools, the dashboards presented a challenge: the information had not been updated for several years. As the data became less current, the dashboards became less useful to the people who depended on them for decision-making.
Recognizing the value of these resources, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) sought a way to refresh the dashboards and make them relevant again for educators across the state.
Updating Data to Support Better Decisions
With support from the Northwest Comprehensive Center (NWCC), ODE launched an effort to update two statewide dashboards focused on accelerated learning and CTE. The department’s goal was to add several years of new data, refresh the underlying systems that support the dashboards, and ensure users once again have access to timely, reliable information.
The dashboards help key partners examine participation trends and identify differences among student groups based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and other characteristics. For example, the accelerated learning dashboard allows users to see that students classified as English learners in high school have had lower participation in dual credit courses over the past seven years. By making these patterns more visible, the dashboards provide a starting point for conversations about how to make sure everyone has the same access to educational supports and opportunities.
Moving Beyond Data Access
The project recognizes an important reality: providing data is only the first step. Educators and leaders also need to understand what the data means and how to use it to inform action.
To address that need, NWCC developed a series of interactive training modules to accompany the dashboards. These modules will help users (people who work at the state, district, school administration, and classroom level, as well as people who work at community colleges) learn how to navigate the tools, interpret findings, identify patterns and opportunity gaps, and use evidence to support planning and decision-making.
Unlike previous efforts, which relied primarily on live or virtual trainings, the new modules create an on-demand learning resource that can be accessed by a broader audience anytime and anywhere.
Expanding Reach and Building Capacity
The training modules are designed to make the dashboards more accessible and useful for a wider range of users. Educators who may not have participated in state-level meetings or formal trainings will be able to learn independently and build confidence in using the data.
By pairing updated dashboards with practical learning tools, the project helps ensure that data becomes part of a larger system for continuous improvement rather than remaining a standalone resource. The goal is not only to increase access to information but also to strengthen the capacity of educators and leaders to apply that information effectively.
Supporting Long-Term Impact
For ODE leaders, the project represents an important investment in sustaining a resource that has already demonstrated value across the state. Through a close partnership with NWCC, Oregon is not only bringing current data back into the conversation but also building a statewide system for data-informed decision-making. In December of 2025, ODE and the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission committed to a statewide vision for college credit in high school opportunities. The updated dashboard will serve as a critical tool for achieving that vision.
“Educators across Oregon rely on these dashboards to help them understand access patterns and plan effective programs. I’m thrilled that ODE was able to partner with the Northwest Comprehensive Center to not just update the dashboards but also create tools and training that will help educators use the data to inform meaningful actions on behalf of students.”
Together, ODE and NWCC are helping ensure that education data is not only available, but accessible, actionable, and positioned to improve opportunities for students across Oregon.