How Elma School District in Washington is Using Data-Driven Insights to Improve Student Outcomes
School district leaders must navigate complex challenges while ensuring students receive the highest quality education. For Elma School District, a forward-thinking district in Elma, Washington, leveraging better K12 data and analytics was key to making evidence-based decisions that drive real district and school improvement. By utilizing ECRA’s School Improvement solution, Elma School District is transforming its approach to student growth and program evaluation, leading to more strategic decision-making and better student outcomes.
Elma School District serves approximately 1,700 students, in Elma, WA. The district’s mission is “Together, we empower Elma Eagles to reach new heights, fostering a culture of excellence, belonging, and lifelong learning in our community.”
The Challenge: Moving Beyond Traditional Data Analysis
Like many Washington school districts, Elma School District has access to vast amounts of student performance data but were looking for more tangible and actionable insights. District leaders needed a way to assess program effectiveness, predict future student success, and ensure that resources were allocated where they would have the greatest impact.
“At Elma School District, we are committed to ensuring every student’s success through strategic, data-driven decisions,” said Christopher Nesmith, superintendent of Elma. “By leveraging ECRA’s predictive analytics, we can proactively identify student needs, assess program effectiveness, and allocate resources where they have the greatest impact.”
The Solution: Predictive Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making
By implementing ECRA’s School Improvement solution, Elma School District was able to harness the power of ECRA’s K12 data and analytics to drive informed decisions. Unlike traditional data reporting solutions, ECRA’s approach uses predictive analytics to project future student performance and measure the impact of district initiatives.
Key benefits of School Improvement:
- Personalize Goals for Student Growth
- Contextualize Goals for Schools
- Systematize Goals for the District
- Analyze Programs and Interventions for Academic Return on Investment (AROI)
“This aligns directly with our strategic goals—ensuring every student achieves grade-level proficiency, increasing postsecondary readiness, and fostering a culture where all Elma Eagles can soar. With ECRA, we’re not just tracking progress; we’re shaping the future of student achievement,” stated Nesmith.
The Results: Data-Driven Success
After integrating ECRA’s School Improvement solution, Elma School District saw measurable improvements:
- More targeted interventions based on predictive insights, ensuring that students received the support they needed before falling behind.
- Greater confidence in decision-making among school district leaders, leading to more effective resource allocation.
- Improved student growth metrics, demonstrating the impact of data-informed strategies.
- A review of new curriculum adoptions for program effectiveness and targeted professional development.
Elma School District’s leaders leverage ECRA’s analytics to refine its approach, ensuring that students receive the best possible education.
Strategic Dashboard and Data Briefs
To complement School Improvement, Elma maintains a Strategic Dashboard and uses the State Percentile Analysis and Comparative District Analysis Data Briefs for better board and community reporting.
- Check out Elma’s Strategic Dashboard
- Learn about Strategic Dashboards
- Learn about Washington State Report Card Data Briefs
Get Started Today
For Washington school districts looking to make evidence-based decisions, ECRA’s School Improvement solution provides a powerful framework for driving meaningful change. By shifting from traditional data analysis to predictive analytics, Eagle School District has set a new standard for student success—one that other districts can follow.
To learn more about how ECRA can help your district make data-driven decisions, visit our School Improvement page or contact us today.
