Data Literacy for Education System Leaders
Free Program · Register by March 17, 2026
Program Overview
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, data-driven decision making is no longer an option – it’s a necessity. To help Ontario school boards meet their obligations under provincial human rights and anti-racism legislative requirements regarding the use of voluntary student demographic data, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is launching a new program fully funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education.*
While many Ontario school boards collect disaggregated demographic data, senior leaders often face challenges in consistently interpreting and applying that data to identify root causes of inequitable outcomes and inform system-level decision-making. The Data Literacy for Education System Leaders program addresses this gap by building leadership capacity to use quantitative and qualitative data in ways that advance human-rights-centered, anti-racist, and sovereignty-affirming decision-making.
This 10-week program gives education leaders the skills on how to integrate these principles into policies, processes, and practices to inform improvement planning at the school and wider systemic levels. Delivered through a collaborative learning model, the program brings system leaders together in live sessions and small-group discussions, creating opportunities for peer learning, shared problem-solving, and cross-board perspectives.
This program supports Ontario school boards in meeting the Anti-Racism Data Standards (ARDS) requirements by building leadership capacity in the effective use of analyzed demographic data to identify and address race-related impacts and outcomes in policies and programs.
Upon successful completion of the program, learners will receive a Recognition of Completion from The Chang School at Toronto Metropolitan University. Furthermore, through demonstrated mastery of core competencies, participants will have an opportunity to earn two specialized microcredentials.
Join us in helping to shape a more equitable future through informed, data-driven leadership.
Getting Started
To get started, complete the form below to register for this program or let us know you’re interested. Our team will follow up with next steps.
Have questions? Contact us at chang.training@torontomu.ca .
Who Should Take This Program?
System leaders within Ontario's publicly funded education system:
- System Superintendents holding Regional, Coordinating, Centralized, or Departmental responsibilities
- Supervisory Officers of Schools and Families of Schools
- Members of senior leadership teams involved in board improvement and action planning processes, including the Student Achievement Plan (SAP) and other provincial action plans
What Will You Learn
Participants in this program will:
- Deepen understanding of disaggregated data: Explore the use of disaggregated demographic data through an anti-oppressive lens to inform equitable decision-making.
- Strengthen data-driven decision-making: Learn to integrate disaggregated demographic data into leadership practices that prioritize meaningful engagement with community relationships.
- Enhance planning in partnership with the community: Develop tools and strategies to interpret and understand disaggregated outcome data informed by community narratives and insights into school and system improvement planning.
- Build change management expertise: Gain the knowledge and skills to create a change management framework rooted in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) principles, supporting responsive and transformative school and system planning.
Key Program Information
Dates: Starts March 25, 2026 and ends June 10, 2026
Live Sessions: Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Delivery Format:
The program will include a blended learning model of online, self-directed (asynchronous), and virtual instructor-led (synchronous) facilitated sessions. Instructor-led sessions will take place on a weekly basis.
Learning Modules and Schedule
The program will run for 10 weeks with approximately six hours of learning per week in both asynchronous and synchronous formats.
| Week | Date | Topic | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Mar 25, 2026 | Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
| Week 2 | Apr 1, 2026 | Foundations of Data Literacy | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
| Week 3 | Apr 8, 2026 | Leadership for Anti-Oppressive Data Work | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
| Week 4 | Apr 15, 2026 | Legacy Data Practices and Community Impact | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
| Break | Apr 20-25, 2026 | Reading Week 1 | No weekly sessions |
| Week 5 | Apr 29, 2026 | Orientation to Anti-Oppressive System Improvement Planning | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
| Week 6 | May 6, 2026 | Building Community Trust and Collaborative Relationships | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
| Week 7 | May 13, 2026 | Leadership Dispositions for Anti-Oppressive Community Partnerships | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
| Week 8 | May 20, 2026 | Anti-Oppressive Improvement Planning - Actioning | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
| Week 9 | May 27, 2026 | Anti-Oppressive Improvement Planning - Monitoring | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
| Break | June 1-5, 2026 | Reading Week 2 | No weekly sessions |
| Week 10 | Jun 10, 2026 | Staying Accountable | Synchronous + Asynchronous |
Completion Requirements
Elevate Your Impact with Integrated Microcredentials
In this program, you will have an opportunity to earn two high-value microcredentials, which are directly embedded into the curriculum, allowing you to demonstrate your expertise in real-time.
To successfully complete the Data Literacy for Education Systems Leaders program and be awarded the Recognition of Completion, participants must:
- Attend online live sessions
- Complete all project work
- Complete the post-program online assessment
- Complete a self-declaration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of the program?
This program is fully funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education, making it free for eligible participants and their school boards. Participants who meet the requirements will also receive a Recognition of Completion from The Chang School at TMU.
What is the total time commitment?
The total estimated learning time each week is approximately 6 hours, divided between three sections.
Each week, the learning journey will take you sequentially through the following:
- Explorations: Self-Paced Explorations of Content and Activities
- Live Session: Discussions and Practical and Applied Small-Group Activities
- Workbook/Assignment Work: Applying Learning from your Explorations and the Live Session
Can I share this with interested colleagues or Supervisory Officers?
Yes! Please feel free to share the invitation directly, or direct them to the Data Literacy for Education Systems Leaders website for the most up-to-date information.
What accommodations are available?
The Chang School adheres to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Access TMU. To discuss any additional accommodation needs, please contact Samantha Pong, Project Coordinator, at chang.training@torontomu.ca.
I have scheduling conflicts. Will there be future opportunities to join?
Yes, there will be future opportunities! To ensure we can contact you, please select “Sign me up for future opportunities” on the Registration Form.
Is this program available in French?
We’re pleased to share that a French-language version of Data Literacy for Education System Leaders will be available in 2027.
Questions?
Contact Samantha Pong, Project Coordinator, at chang.training@torontomu.ca.
*This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
The views expressed are those of the Chang School and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ministry.