Strategic Data Project and Education Pioneers Year 1 Report: Laying the Groundwork for Data-Driven Decision Making

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation contracted with Mathematica to conduct an implementation study of the Strategic Data Project (SDP) and Education Pioneers (EP) programs, which aim to enhance the capacity of school districts and other education agencies to collect, manage, analyze, and use data through the support, training, and placement of additional staff. This report presents findings from the study's first year (2012—2013), when partner agencies in the study began working with the SDP or EP program.