What If There Is No Data ?!?: Leading with Purpose and Sustaining Inquiry in Untested Subjects

In an era of dashboards and data walls, what happens when your subject isn’t tested — but it still matters? This session tackles the challenge K–12 leaders and specialists face when advocating for disciplines like social studies, arts, and world languages that rarely produce the numbers driving district decisions.Participants will explore practical strategies for leading with purpose when data isn’t the driver — from building visibility through authentic learning evidence to aligning inquiry-rich instruction with district mission and portrait-of-a-graduate goals. Together, we’ll examine how to make thinking visible, tell the story of impact, and sustain teacher morale in a metrics-heavy environment.Through guided reflection and leadership tools, attendees will design a “visibility plan” that highlights inquiry outcomes, leverages teacher feedback, and connects purpose to system-wide priorities. Walk away with concrete steps to make what matters measurable — even when there’s no test to prove it.