Sarah Howard, Director of Professional Learning, Network for College Success; Andrea Cortes, Transformation Coach, Network for College Success; Jazmin Fermin, Transformation Coach, Network for College Success
April 1, 2025
In our latest GRAD Partnership Community of Practice session—“Unlocking the Power of Data to Drive Student Success: Designing Student-Centered Actions”—educators gathered to explore how small, manageable interventions can create lasting change. While teams may be drawn to launching monumental, high-effort initiatives, the session emphasized practical, nimble actions that can be seamlessly integrated into our everyday workflows. And we explored a key strategy for identifying action with the greatest likelihood for impact – talking to our students about their experiences.
Here are five things to remember as you work with your team to design lasting interventions.
Adopt a Strengths-Based Approach
Instead of focusing on what students lack, we must build on the unique strengths they already possess. Our students bring a wealth of talents, diverse communication skills, and lived experiences that should inform our actions. When we view challenges through an asset-based lens, we create an environment where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to excel. Developing and reinforcing this mindset when designing approaches to student support is essential.
Leverage Real-Time, Data-Informed Decisions
Data is at the heart of effective decision-making; using real-time, evidence-based data to pinpoint the actual needs of students can be transformative. For instance, rather than assuming disengagement is a matter of student motivation, data might reveal that practical issues—like transportation delays—are the real barrier. This approach allows teams to target interventions precisely where they are needed most.
Co-Construct with Students
It’s crucial to involve students in the design process. By engaging young people as co-constructors of their learning experiences, we create interventions that are relevant and impactful. Their firsthand perspectives ensure that our actions are not only informed by data and expertise but are also aligned with the real needs of those we serve.
Keep it Simple
When strategies are simple and clear, they become easier to implement, test, and refine. This simplicity not only reduces the burden on teams but also minimizes confusion among students, families, and educators. By describing actions in plain language, we ensure that everyone understands the purpose and expected outcomes.
Engage in Ongoing Cycles of Inquiry
Rather than treating interventions as one-off initiatives, establishing continuous cycles of inquiry is key to sustainability and ongoing improvement. This means routinely collecting data, reflecting on progress, and adapting strategies accordingly. Documenting what works—and what doesn’t—provides valuable insights that help teams refine their actions and scale successful practices over time.
___________
By keeping interventions straightforward, data-driven, and centered on student strengths, we empower our success teams to act. These practices build a shared community of learning and drives meaningful, measurable improvements in student outcomes. Engage your students in conversations about what works best for them, and let’s continue to build a future where every action is rooted in a deep understanding of student needs, in their own words. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities—one small, deliberate step at a time.