FACTORS RELATED TO DATA USE IN INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP: THE IMPORTANCE OF DATA LITERACY IN LEADERSHIP EDUCATION

Using the theoretical framework of information use environments, this study examined 183 principals’ use of data in instructional leadership in a Midwest state in the US and identified the factors related to data use. Survey results indicate that data were frequently used by the principals for instructional leadership. Principals’ data literacy including perceptions of data quality and data analysis skills significantly predicted their frequency of data use in instructional leadership. School district’s requirement of data-driven decision making, data accessibility, and school team of data analyses did not seem to serve as the significant predictors. Results provide insights and implications guiding data literacy education in school leader preparation.