"Class Size, Math, and Graduation: What the Data Reveals About Massachusetts Schools"

I remember sitting in my high school math class thinking how my peers were really performing. Fast forward to today, and that curiosity has blossomed into a passion for data analysis. When I stumbled upon the Massachusetts public school dataset on Kaggle, I was both excited and surprised to discover the hidden stories behind the numbers—stories that could shape the future of education.

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Why THIS Project?

My motivation for this project stems from my deep belief in the importance of education. The quality of the education provided to our youth shapes not just their future, but ultimately, the workforce of tomorrow. I’ve always been fascinated by how various factors—such as graduation rates and class sizes—play a role in educational outcomes. This project is special to me because it combines my love for data with my desire to understand and improve our educational systems.

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What Readers Will Gain:

By reading this article, you’ll gain insights into the performance of public schools in Massachusetts based on graduation rates, class sizes, and math performance. You'll see how these factors interplay and what they might mean for educators, policymakers, and communities.

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Key Takeaways:

??? Graduation percentages vary significantly among schools in Massachusetts.

??? There is a notable correlation between class size and student attendance.

??? Math performance shows concerning trends regarding graduation rates.

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Dataset Details:

I utilized a dataset from Kaggle, which encompasses key metrics for all public schools in Massachusetts. This dataset was ideal for my project because it provided a comprehensive overview of various performance indicators, allowing me to analyze how different elements contribute to educational outcomes.

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Analysis Process:

My analysis journey began with cleaning the data to ensure accuracy. Then, I transformed the information into visual formats using Tableau to uncover trends. As I visualized the data, I was surprised to find the stark contrast in graduation rates, especially in math. This finding sparked my curiosity about the underlying causes—was it the curriculum, teacher preparation, or perhaps socio-economic factors at play?

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Visuals and Insights:

Visual One: This visual shows a troubling trend of low graduation percentages among various schools in Massachusetts. It was eye-opening to see just how many students are not graduating on time, which could indicate a need for improved support in that subject area.

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Visual Two: Here, we explore the relationship between class size and attendance percentages. The data suggests that larger class sizes may lead to lower attendance rates, which is concerning. It raises questions about whether students feel less connected or engaged in a crowded classroom.

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Visual Three: This visual focuses on math performance, illustrating the concerning trend of poor graduation percentages. Given the foundational role mathematics plays in many careers, this finding underscores a critical area for improvement.

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Main Takeaways:

??? The analysis revealed significant disparities in graduation rates across schools, with math being a particularly weak point.

??? A potential link exists between class size and attendance, suggesting that smaller classes could foster better engagement and attendance.

??? Addressing the issues highlighted in math performance is crucial for the future success of students and the workforce.

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Conclusion and Personal Reflections:

This project taught me a great deal about the complexities of educational data. I faced challenges, particularly in understanding the various factors affecting graduation rates. However, overcoming these hurdles deepened my appreciation for data analysis and its potential impact. I now look forward to utilizing these insights in future projects, perhaps even advocating for changes in educational policy.

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Call To Action:

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you have any questions or reflections on the findings? If you or someone you know is looking to hire a data analyst, let's connect!