Sara's #MyDataStory: A Career Bridging Data Creation and Use

The Data Foundation launched #MyDataStory, a nationwide campaign to collect stories about how Americans use government data to make decisions, run businesses, and strengthen communities. Through short video testimonials, the campaign documents real-world examples of how public data serves as essential infrastructure for American innovation and success.

As the director of the Center for Evidence Capacity at the Data Foundation, and a former federal and local government public servant, I am adding my own #MyDataStory.

Today, I find myself thinking about the many survey collections, research projects and data experts I've worked alongside during my government service. When I was in government service, whether it was at the U.S. Census Bureau or U.S. Department of Education, I was able to work directly on important topics and with other data experts to make sure quality data was being presented to the public in digestible ways.  In my time at a local school district, I was then the user of this data, relying on it for research and district decisions.  Also, during my time as a public policy graduate student, I used federal datasets and evaluations that informed my studies. 

Want to know about conditions across the country for teaching in elementary and secondary schools? The Department of Education's National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS) includes information for superintendents, school boards, state lawmakers, and people like me who study and work with teachers. The survey provides a comprehensive picture of America's educators, with detailed information on teacher preparation, class sizes, school climate, and other factors that impact educational outcomes for students. I had the privilege of working alongside those who design sampling methods, craft questions that yield meaningful data, process responses, and translate complex findings into accessible information. In my time at a school district, I was on the user end of this data collection, which provided valuable insights for district leadership. I was able to show how data generated at the Federal level impacts very real decisions at a local level that impact students and their families.  

Want to know the impact of various housing interventions for homeless families? The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Family Options Study is a shining example of how research can inform better programs and improve outcomes for those who need it most. This study followed over 2,000 homeless families across 12 communities to evaluate the effectiveness of different housing interventions. The program evaluation results demonstrated how long-term housing subsidies led to the most cost-effective stability for families experiencing homelessness, compared to other solutions. During my graduate studies, this evaluation was used as an example of how to structure a long term evaluation, which I was able to apply to future positions in local government. This study was also featured in a chapter of Evidence Works, a collection of case studies published by the Bipartisan Policy Center that highlights the many approaches to using evidence, as an example of best practices. 

My personal #mydatastory shows that I have been both a data producer and a data user.  While I was able to participate in and know the inner workings of federal statistics and research during my time as a statistician and analyst, the most impactful parts of my career have been in the years I’ve been able to take federal data and use it. The stories I am able to tell because of the data — the pictures data paints about the achievement gaps in math and reading scores, the shortage of teachers and the impact that has on schools, the impact of housing interventions for the nation’s at risk youth on their academic outcomes — all are informed by federal data systems and research. If I’ve learned anything during my career in data and research, it’s that we have to continue amplifying the importance of this data and the stories it tells.

Now it's your turn. Share your #MyDataStory with us today.