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Data-Informed Decision Making:
A Guide to Institutional Research in Independent Schools

For the 2023 Summer Fellows Lab, CIRIS convened a cohort of institutional research leaders to compile a resource for school leaders and data analysts. The goal of the final product of the work, Data-Informed Decision Making: A Guide to Institutional Research in Independent Schools, is to show the possibilities and value institutional research offers and to provide tools for the intrepid institutional researchers who are looking to grow their own skills and to foster their community's Data Culture. 

The CIRIS Summer Lab 2023 cohort standing in front of the Maret School sign.

Members of the 2023 CIRIS Summer Fellows Lab gathered on campus at Maret School in Washington, DC to compile the Guide.

In the course of creating this guide, the Lab cohort conducted the first Institutional Research State of the Industry survey (IR SOTI.) Both Data-Informed Decision Making: A Guide to Institutional Research in Independent Schools and the results dashboard for the IR SOTI are presented below. We hope that they both support students and school communities across the country.