A study on data literacy in Flemish primary and secondary schools

How do Flemish schools use their data? This project explores how teachers work with school data and what supports or hinders them in the process.

In short

How data literate are teachers and school teams in Flanders? This research explores the use of school data in primary and secondary education. By focusing on real-life experiences with tools such as Smartschool Analytics, we investigate how data is currently used and what support professionals need to engage with it meaningfully.

Need and relevance

Flemish schools gather extensive data on pupils and teaching practices, but struggle to put it to good use. Teachers and school leaders face barriers such as lack of support, time or training. This project responds to the growing need for professional development and systemic support to strengthen data literacy in schools.

From approach to impact

We conducted a literature review, surveyed 39 school teams and organised focus groups with 7 schools. We also examined a practical case using Smartschool Analytics. Findings reveal a strong need for teamwork, guidance and an inquiry-based mindset to use data effectively. Outcomes include a comprehensive report and interactive visuals. These results guide a professional development programme and inform Smartschool developers, ultimately contributing to improved data use in Flemish education.