In K–12 education, data is abundant, but how do you make it work for your school’s goals? Schools often gather information from assessments, platforms, and student records, yet teams struggle to interpret and apply this data in ways that lead to progress. The challenge is not in data collection, but in building shared understanding across a school community.
This was the focus of a recent Parsec Education webinar. Superintendent and CEO Elizabeth Brenner of Compass Charter Schools, along with Parsec Technical Solutions Specialist Ryan Royer, shared how Compass built a unified data culture. Their work highlights how aligning teams around purpose, clarity, and results can improve outcomes for students and staff.
Case Study: Compass Charter School’s Approach to Strategic Clarity
Compass focused on building a culture where data was used regularly and shared across both internal teams and external partners.
“We’re always using that data and communicating it, not just to our staff, but to our authorizers and our education partners.,” said Elizabeth Brenner.
Some of the problems addressed:
- Existential Priorities
- The school faced competing priorities that made it difficult to focus on long-term planning or aligned data use.
- Too Many Disparate Systems
- Multiple platforms (for data, assessments, student info) were in place, but they were not integrated. This created inefficiencies and confusion across teams.
- Limited Team Access to Data
- Staff did not have consistent or user-friendly access to student data. This lack of transparency made it harder to make informed decisions or act on insights.
Compass leaders saw an opportunity. They shifted focus from compliance tasks to strategic alignment. The goal was to use data not only for reporting but also for improving systems and supporting students.
Building a Shared Foundation for Data Use
The first step was defining purpose across departments. Compass treated the LCAP not as a compliance document, but as a foundational planning tool. By aligning internal conversations to common goals, the team moved from fragmented efforts to coordinated action.
“For Charter Renewal, start the process a year before submitting, making sure that you have clear goals, and that they’re aligned,” Brenner said.
This framework emphasized the importance of clarity, role alignment, and visible progress. Each staff member knew where their efforts fit within the broader mission. Data became a regular topic of discussion. The leadership team made results visible, which supported ongoing learning and growth.
How did Compass do this?
- Start with a Shared Purpose: Compass clarified the “why” behind strategic planning by reframing compliance efforts as opportunities to align priorities.
- Align Your People: Roles and expectations became clearer. Teams were encouraged to engage in regular data discussions.
- Show the Results: Leadership made progress visible through regular updates and shared wins, keeping teams focused and motivated.
Reducing Tools, Increasing Impact
Rather than implementing more platforms, Compass simplified its tech stack. This shift allowed the team to focus on a few systems used effectively. Staff received support and training to ensure that tools were accessible and understandable.
This approach helped reduce confusion, increase confidence in the data, and support meaningful conversations across the organization.
Results: Stronger Systems and Better Outcomes
Once data use became a regular practice, the school saw improvements in both mindset and outcomes. Staff began to approach data with curiosity and purpose. Teachers identified students with needs more quickly. Teams explored underlying causes and improved the systems designed to support students.
“When you have those data conversations in your regular culture, and you’re using that information, it does make it easier,” Brenner explained.
These shifts led to measurable outcomes. Teams identified leading indicators of student success. Interventions were more timely. Progress was easier to track. Systems became more responsive.
Why Clarity Matters More Than Compliance
One of the biggest takeaways from Compass Charter’s story is the importance of clarity—not just for the leadership team, but across the entire organization. Strategic planning processes like the LCAP, WASC accreditation, or charter renewal are often treated as tasks to complete. But what if schools used these processes to bring people together around a unified vision?
At Parsec, we have seen that schools with a clear, shared understanding of their goals are more likely to turn planning into progress. Clarity allows leadership teams to connect the dots between classroom-level actions and long-term schoolwide outcomes. It enables data to become part of daily conversations instead of a once-a-year review.
When Compass Charter reframed its planning efforts, they were no longer asking “Have we submitted our LCAP?” They were asking “Are we moving toward the outcomes we care about?” That shift in mindset changed how data was used, how progress was communicated, and how staff understood their role in continuous improvement.
Planning without clarity leads to checkboxes. Planning with clarity leads to change.
Clarity also reduces stress. When staff know what they are working toward and how progress is measured, they are more likely to take initiative, collaborate across teams, and feel confident in their contributions. Parsec’s tools are designed to support this shift by helping schools turn plans into action, track measurable progress, and adjust in real time.
Strategic planning should not feel like an isolated report, it should be a living reflection of the work happening across your school.
Lessons for K–12 Leaders
Compass Charter’s experience offers valuable insights for other schools.
1. Start with Purpose
Before choosing tools, build clarity across the team. Define why the data matters, and connect it to the work.
2. Choose Tools That Support Use
Fewer systems with stronger integration can increase understanding. Prioritize access, training, and conversation.
3. Use Data to Guide Reflection
Do not treat data as an endpoint. Use it to ask questions, explore causes, and design better support structures.
Ready to Align Your Team?
Parsec Education offers tools and support for schools seeking clarity, alignment, and growth. Whether your goal is stronger LCAP/Strategic Plan outcomes, improved renewal readiness, or better instructional planning, Parsec helps schools turn data into action.
Use our newest LCAP Pre-check tool to go into your submission with confidence by uploading your 2025-26 draft to get insights.
