Data-driven initiatives have helped schools improve student learning outcomes and measure technology ROI.

The School District of Palm Beach County in Florida, for example, relies on its data systems to spot which students may be falling behind and need more academic support in a school that may be doing well as a whole. “We use data to make sure we can drill down to every student and every other facet of the organization,” says Superintendent Donald Fennoy II.

Yet starting a data initiative can be challenging. Despite understanding the benefits and importance of data, many school leaders and educators still struggle to make sense of what they’ve collected and place it at the core of their decision-making. Here’s what they can do to launch a successful data initiative.