From Insights to Action: Understanding the Challenges Facing Massachusetts Schools

In high school, I had an inspiring teacher who emphasized the importance of giving each student the individual attention they needed. It wasn't just about teaching content; it was about creating an environment where everyone felt valued and supported. This experience inspired me to dedicate the past ten years to education. Fast forward to today, I've been working on a project exploring the educational landscape in Massachusetts, which revealed some surprising insights about the impact of education on students’ futures.

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Here's what I learned:?

• Economically disadvantaged students show lower college attendance rates
• The lowest-performing 12 schools have graduation rates below 20%
• 10 schools achieve a 100% graduation rate
• Class sizes generally range from 12-18 students, with a few significant outliers

Here’s how I did it.

I analyzed data sourced from Kaggle, specifically data from 2017 made available by the Massachusetts Department of Education.?This dataset is rich with information that reflects the current educational landscape, including class sizes, graduation rates, and standardized test scores. It provided a solid foundation for uncovering the nuances of our education system.

1. % Attending College vs Class Size

The trend shows that as economic disadvantage increases, the likelihood of attending college decreases. This indicates that students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds might not have the same resources or support systems, which could be contributing to their challenges.

2. Graduation Percentage

Seeing 37 schools with graduation rates below 50% was shocking. With only ten schools at 100% graduation rate, it raises important questions about how these institutions can improve and what kind of support they need from the state and community.

3. 4th Grade Math MCAS Scores

With 25 districts performing below 50%, it begs the question: How do these foundational skills impact graduation rates? How does it impact further learning? This connection is an avenue worth exploring further in future analysis.

The journey through this data analysis highlighted how crucial the right educational environment is for student success. It became clear that class size is more than just a number; it can significantly impact a student’s ability to thrive academically. The findings prompt a call to action for educators and policymakers to reassess funding and support for struggling schools to uplift all students.

This project taught me a lot about the complexities of education. One of the biggest takeaways was recognizing the significant impact that factors like class size and economic disadvantage have on student outcomes. The insights I uncovered highlighted the critical need for equitable resources and support for all students. This experience has reinforced my passion for driving positive change in education and motivated me to explore further opportunities in data analysis to support this mission.

If you or someone you know is looking to hire a data analyst, let's connect! I would love to hear your thoughts on this analysis or any questions you might have. Feel free to comment below or reach out to me on LinkedIn at Dianna Green M.Ed . If you would like to explore the interactive Tableau dashboard, please click here.