Across the country, school districts are being asked to do more with less—set bold goals for student success, foster staff well-being, and build authentic partnerships with families and communities. Strategic plans are expected to be both visionary and actionable. Yet too often, plans lack the community voice and data needed to drive real, lasting change.
At Education Elements, we’ve learned that effective school improvement begins with listening. That’s why the Data Triangle has become a cornerstone of our strategic planning work with districts nationwide
What is the Data Triangle?
The Data Triangle is a suite of three research-backed surveys designed to capture perspectives from the groups most essential to school success:
Each survey focuses on the same four core areas: instructional support, student learning and engagement, school culture and safety, and well-being/community partnership. This triangulated design ensures leaders can compare experiences across groups, identify gaps, and highlight bright spots.
Unlike single-source perception tools, the Data Triangle brings together voices from every corner of the school community. The result is a shared understanding that lays the foundation for collaboration and trust.
