Client_ Harvard Masters in Design Engineering Information Studio Design | Final Project
Collaboration_ Steven Morse
Timeline_ 6 week project | September - October 2020
Abstract_
The Edjust Education Equity Platform is a tool designed to synthesis and harness the abundance of data in an effective and customizable way to help key decision makers (Superindendants) at the district level make equitable financial decisions for his/her students. The platform allows users to leverage their school data to construct impactful budgets to support equitable learning for all students.
EdJust
2020
01 the problem_
Currently, disadvantage indicators exist in schools, but not all states are using progressive funding formulas to determine funding allocation. In light of COVID-19, it is more important than ever before to revisit these disadvantage indicators, and build new disadvantage indices that incorporate new risks (connectivity) so that decision makers can make more progressive formulas about funding to minimize the harmful financial and ultimately learning impacts to K-12 elementary schools in USA.
02 our research_
With a limited background in the nuances of the American education system, we needed to understand the funding landscape in America and which stakeholders are faced with financial decision making. So to learn more about existing funding models, we turned to a handful of experts across America from teachers to superintendents government officials and education consultants.
personas_
Our ongoing expert interviews illuminated that District Superintendents are the key decision makers at the ground level trying to balance funding with student outcome and education goals in mind. Their pain points and needs served as design inputs for our platform.
03 data analysis_
In addition to understanding our users, and their needs, we needed to understand the feedback loops that exist between federal, state and local district funding decisions and priorities. To see the year over year figures for ourselves, we delved into the abyss of education data to analyze and predict funding trends. Our data analysis informed how we designed our budgeting tool and the thresholds default settings.
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04 data visualization_
The priority for this project was to illustrate the data in a visually stimulating and accurate way. Observing other visual designers from Charles Minard to Matteo Bonera for inspiration, our team explored a multitude of designs and ways of visualizing our complex layers of data. Our focus was to visually emphasize the disadvantage indicators in a comparative way, as 'measuring up to other districts' was noted as an important feature. We also wanted to create an easy navigation for decision makers to see if their budget holistically are progressive or regressive.
Virtual ideation and collaboration required a mixed approach of analog and digital tools.
Final data visualizations designs.
05 final tool and platform_
Our final tool and platform brings the user through an experience that first orients them to see how their federal, state and local budgets compare to the rest of the country, and allows them to see if their funding qualifies as being 'progressive' or is at risk of being 'regressive'. As decision makers double click into their district, they are provided with essential risk attributes and needs groups so that they can think about their funding with all these critical pieces in mind. Finally, the tool organizes tons of disparate data that is needed for planning and predicting their fiscal budget. Our interactive tool allows decision makers to adjust weighting for the different disadvantage indicators so that more risk considerations are included in making equitable budgets for their students.