In February, ESU 10 hosted the annual For the Love of Data conference, bringing together administrators and educators from ESUs 10 and 11 for a full day focused on strengthening the continuous improvement/MTSS process through effective data use.
The conference opened with a keynote address, given by Dr. Derek Ippensen, Director of Accountability at the Nebraska Department of Education. He provided an overview of updates to AQuESTT and the next iteration of Nebraska’s state classification system, which will be used to rate schools beginning in November 2026. Dr. Ippensen outlined changes to indicator calculations and weighting, and emphasized how AQuESTT data can be used to develop a roadmap for continuous improvement. Accountability indicators can and should drive coherent system-level planning aligned to student needs. Additional information regarding the updated model can be found on the AQuESTT website.
Breakout sessions addressed the topics of assessment updates, literacy, English Learner supports, MTSS, continuous improvement and data-based decision making. Several professionals from the Nebraska Department of Education were on-site to present sessions and provide technical support to attendees. Additional sessions were facilitated by representatives from NeMTSS and ESU 10, ensuring participants received both state-level guidance and implementation-focused strategies.
To extend the learning beyond the conference, ESU 10 is offering two additional opportunities for district teams. A Data Workday on March 31 will provide structured time and support for districts to organize data. In addition, the annual CI/MTSS Data Review will be held on June 3 to help districts analyze data, review progress towards goals, and strengthen action planning.
ESU 10 also continues to offer on-site support, working directly with district leadership teams to facilitate data reviews and align the Targeted Improvement Plan and Continuous Improvement Action Plan.
The For the Love of Data conference continues to serve as a strong example of ESU 10’s role in connecting state guidance, regional expertise, and district implementation, ensuring that data is not simply gathered, but meaningfully reviewed and used to enhance teaching and learning to impact student outcomes.