The main ideas of the book:

• True transformation is possible in schools if we can re-direct our focus away from “big data” and onto the human beings – students, parents, educators, and community members – that make up our schools and communities.
• The path toward equity begins, not with deficit-minded gap-finding and filling, but with an asset-minded focus that puts students and human communities at the center.

Why I chose this book:

After two pandemic years, educators are hungry for a positive, forward-looking vision and real-life actionable plans that can be used to address the many challenges we’re all facing. Street Data offers fresh ideas and innovative tools, many of which can be put into practice immediately, and it places equity at the center. My hope is that you find in this book a rejuvenating chance to reimagine education at its best, and you embrace the opportunity to make the changes in culture and pedagogy that your school communities and students need most.

•  Some of the obstacles our schools face in pursuing equity
•  The power and importance of gathering “street data” – qualitative data from listening to your own community
•  How to improve any aspect of your school with a new change process – the equity transformation cycle
•  How to move from a pedagogy of compliance to a pedagogy of student voice
•  How to change the adult culture in your school move toward teacher voice and away from “perfectionism” and shame
•  The Main Idea’s PD suggestions for transforming your school, grounded in listening