2026 INCTO Clinic

Districts often fall into the "Data Rich, Information Poor" trap?investing tens of thousands in robust platforms that fail to drive actual change. This session shares the journey of moving away from underutilized, high-cost vendor solutions toward a custom, district-driven data ecosystem using Looker Studio. By leveraging accessible tools and AI-assisted workflows, any district can move past "spreadsheets of scores" to visual, actionable dashboards that teachers, administrators, and board members actually use.
We will explore the leadership strategy behind this shift, highlighting how data staff can bridge the gap between technical infrastructure and strategic planning. See real-world examples of custom dashboards used to navigate new Indiana math requirements, empower teachers to make impactful instructional decisions based on assessment data, automate at-risk student identification, and analyze enrollment and withdrawal trends to inform long-range capital planning. This isn't just a technical overview; it?s a blueprint for maximizing interoperability and sustainable infrastructure while prioritizing usability and high-level decision-making over costly contracts.