Big data has transformed nearly every aspect of modern society, influencing everything from our social media feeds to our healthcare treatment. Data empowers us to improve medicine, develop better public policies, and reduce racial disparities in education. 

But raw data alone can’t lead to meaningful change. It’s the people behind it — researchers, collaborators, decision makers, and analysts — who make an impact. With the skills to collect, interpret, and contextualize data, data analysts are often the ones driving important decisions across sectors. As education faces growing challenges with funding, inclusion, recruitment, technology, and evolving student needs, it will need more analysts interested in using data science for social good. 

If you are passionate about education or a related field and are interested in developing the data analysis skills you need to make change, the M.S. in Data, Learning, and Society at Teachers College offers a unique opportunity to blend data science with a commitment to social justice. Here’s a preview of how data can be used for social impact and some of the careers you can pursue with Teachers College’s new master’s in data analysis for education.

Data science for social good: How data influences K-12 education, higher education, and government

Data is the driving force behind some of the most critical decisions in K-12 education, higher education, and government today. These sectors rely on data not just to measure performance but to address systemic challenges, optimize resources, and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion. Here are just a few ways data analysts make an impact in these sectors:

• K-12 learning outcomes: K-12 schools can use learning analytics to track student performance and intervene early when students need additional support. Attendance, test scores, and engagement data can help schools identify at-risk students and provide targeted support to help them succeed. Schools can also use data to evaluate teaching methods and curricula, ensuring they reach all learners.

• Resource allocation: K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and government agencies can use data to make sure that funding, staffing, and technology are being used where they are needed most. School districts can use data to determine which schools need more teachers or technology, while government agencies can allocate funding more effectively based on population needs and performance metrics.

• Equity and inclusion: Data analysts can use data in education to highlight disparities in access and achievement. By analyzing demographic data alongside academic performance, schools and policymakers can identify gaps in achievement between different groups of students. This allows schools to implement strategies to reduce those gaps and create more equitable learning environments.

• Recruitment: In education, higher education, business, and other sectors, data analysts can help ensure fair and equitable recruitment processes and improve employee development. By analyzing demographic data, application patterns, and hiring trends, institutions can identify potential biases in recruitment and take steps to address them. In higher education, data can help ensure underrepresented groups are being fairly considered for admissions or faculty positions, while businesses can use data to promote diversity in hiring practices and help employees develop professionally. Taking a data-driven approach enables organizations to create more inclusive environments and expand opportunities for all candidates.

Data analytics careers that lead to change in education and beyond

Data analytics skills can help advance your career, whether you already work in education or are just starting to explore opportunities. All institutions now manage growing amounts of data and need staff who can effectively leverage it. Education professionals will also increasingly need data analysis skills to excel in their careers. By building specialized data analytics skills through graduate degree programs like the one at Teachers College, you can work in the following sectors: 

• Preschool and K-12: Assess student performance, improve resource management, and enhance facilities to support evolving technology.
• Higher education: Conduct institutional studies and work with data on admissions, financial aid, student performance, and course and program effectiveness.
• Corporate: Support learning and professional development, improve hiring practices and employee retention, optimize workflows, and support data-driven decision-making. 
• Startups and small businesses: Assist with customer acquisition, enhance content delivery, analyze learner progress, and identify growth opportunities.

While skills in data analysis benefit any role, from administrators and educators to admissions officers, curriculum developers, and HR specialists, here are some specific careers in data analytics that are relevant to education and related fields:

Education data analyst

Education data analyst jobs involve using data to improve student outcomes, develop equitable learning practices, and inform decision-making in educational settings. You may work as an institutional research professional in higher education, a K-12 school data analyst or an analyst for departments of education. In these roles, you can help inform everything from curriculum design to classroom interventions. You can analyze learning programs, instructional strategies, and student achievement, and assist in identifying at-risk students, predicting college and career readiness, and pinpointing where resources need to be allocated.

Learning program evaluator

This role involves applying data analytics to strengthen educational programs. As a learning program evaluator, you’ll analyze student performance, engagement, and participation data to assess how well a program is working and determine how to improve it. You can also provide insights that help refine curricula, improve instructional strategies, and ensure that educational programs serve all students effectively.

Consultant

Consultants help schools, districts, and government agencies understand and implement data-driven strategies. This could involve establishing processes for gathering, handling, and analyzing data, advising on curriculum development, instructional methods, or educational technologies, or helping promote equity, accessibility, and inclusion. 

Data analyst for education startups

Data analysts are vital to the growth and success of educational startups. In this role, you’ll analyze customer behavior, market trends, and operational metrics to uncover opportunities and grow the startup. You can contribute to product development, marketing efforts, and operational efficiency, ensuring decisions are backed by solid, data-driven insights, and contributing to the organization’s long-term sustainability.

The M.S. in Data, Learning, and Society: enabling you to make positive change

If you want to enhance your skills in data analysis and help drive positive change in education, consider the M.S. in Data, Learning, and Society at Teachers College.

This online master’s degree in Data, Learning, and Society takes an interdisciplinary approach to data science and education. Covering applied statistics, learning analytics, cognitive science, and developmental psychology, the TC program provides you with the unique expertise you need to apply data analytics to educational settings. You’ll also consider the ethical implications of data use and examine issues around social justice. 

With a flexible online format that accommodates working professionals, the master’s in Data, Learning, and Society allows you to study on your schedule and advance your career in as little as 12 months.

Ready to use data for social impact?

Explore the M.S. in Data, Learning, and Society program or request information today.