Expanding the Use of Educational Data for Social Justice: Lessons From the Texas Cap on Special Education and Implications for Practitioner–Scholar Preparation

Abstract

Educational data offer a powerful tool for supporting equity. In this article, the authors call for a shift toward greater use of data in educator preparation programs. The authors motivate their proposal by highlighting findings from the Department of Education report released January 2018, which found that the Texas Education Agency systematically denied students special education services. The article outlines three basic metrics that stakeholders can use to identify potential noncompliance with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. The authors describe other ways data can be used to promote equity and close with recommendations for educator preparation policy and practice.