Bill Tucker's Commentary in EdWeek shares important lessons from the move to electronic medical records in the health care industry. Of particular note, Tucker is clear, as many of us have found, that the technology and mere availability of data are necessary, but not sufficient to create change. Ultimately, we need to know that the efforts, which are currently vast in both sectors, are driving at better outcomes for patients, in the case of healthcare, and students, in the case of institutions. 

Compliance with mandates and regulations does not produce meaningful, actionable data. The point in Tucker's commentary that resonated most strongly with us in the Education Practice Team at Mission Measurement was the following: 

Health reformers have also learned that the larger goals, such as better patient outcomes, must drive the data systems-not the individual provider or institutional needs.

The lessons for the education sector are very real as we design and implement major data systems within states and districts. If student success and student outcomes are not the primary driver for the data, the embracing of new technologies and practices will be limited and inconsistent. We must focus on the goals of data systems, rather than the pipes, tubes, bells and whistles. As many of our clients know, and as Tucker shares, the best data and analysis we can provide is focused on

...using evidence to inform practice, coordinating care or instruction across multiple individuals and providers, enabling rapid and continuous learning, and producing an alignment of incentives centered on patients or students. 

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