Using data inside and outside the classrooms

In an increasingly complex educational landscape, access to and conscious use of data is key to understanding learning processes, reducing inequalities and supporting informed decision-making at instructional, institutional and policy levels. This volume, which collects a selection of contributions presented at the IX Seminar, “Data from and for educational system: tools for research and teaching” (Rome, 17–19 October 2024), explores how different data sources can contribute to a deeper understanding of how educational systems function, helping to improve students’ educational and professional opportunities. Although the four chapters differ in terms of their methods, research questions and reference contexts, they are united by a common perspective: the importance of data as both an interpretative and an operational tool. Together, the four chapters offer a multifaceted perspective on the value of data in understanding educational phenomena, both in and out of the classroom. They demonstrate how various methodological approaches, such as psychometrics, multivariate statistical analysis, administrative data integration and predictive modelling, can converge towards the shared objective of developing more equitable, informed and responsive educational systems that better address the needs of students and society.