Our Story
In the world of education, every day brings an abundance of data. This data is a treasure trove of insights, but too often it is fragmented, overwhelming, and under-utilized. Realizing the challenges faced by educators and school leaders in harnessing this data, Data Driven Ed was founded with a mission to revolutionize the way educational data is managed and interpreted.
At Data Driven Ed, we believe that the right data, in the right hands, can create powerful change. That’s why we have created a comprehensive platform that not only consolidates student, staff, and school operational data but also transforms it into actionable insights. Through our user-friendly dashboard, educational leaders can access data across multiple vendors, receive automated reports, and explore in-depth analytics.
Our platform goes beyond traditional data dashboards. It’s a centralized data warehouse and reporting system that integrates with Student Information Systems (SIS), assessments, surveys, classroom observations, and existing school spreadsheets. Our weekly one-page reports are designed to provide succinct summaries of district, school, and grade-level changes.
But our support doesn’t end there. Data Driven Ed also partners with schools to build their data capacity and streamline their operations. We work alongside school leaders to develop data strategies, continuous improvement plans, and automate processes to save time. This enables educators to focus on what they do best: supporting students.
Meet the Founder
Michael Forkner, the driving force behind Data Driven Ed, brings together expertise in education and data science. Starting as a high school teacher in physics, mathematics, and design thinking in the Bronx and Kansas City, they eventually became a data strategist for Chicago Public Schools and the Delasalle Charter Education system.
Holding a Master's degree in Learning Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor's in Physics from Oregon State University, Michael blends educational insights with data analytics. They are also the co-founder of Sidekick Education, a career services and math anxiety chatbot.
From their experiences working with over 50 Chicago Public School's, Michael founded Data Driven Ed to equip schools with the tools necessary for informed decision-making, ultimately leading to enhanced student success and school development.
