Data Ethics - by Ellen B Mandinach (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Data Ethics: How Educators Can Use Data Effectively and Responsibly describes the concept of data ethics, which has become an increasingly important topic in education practice, in part due to the proliferation of diverse data sources and the growing complexity of students. It is important for educators to know how to use data both effectively and appropriately. Educators are often faced with accountability pressures that may cause them to make decisions that are sometime problematic. This book describes what data ethics are and how new technologies, especially those based on artificial intelligence can challenge the appropriate use of data. It provides authentic scenarios that university instructors, professional development providers, in-service trainers, and individuals can use to help educators better understand data ethics.

Review Quotes

"In an era where data-driven decision making has become central to education - al practice, Ellen Mandinach delivers a groundbreaking work that moves beyond technical data skills to address the critical question of how we should use data responsibly. Data Ethics brilliantly demonstrates that effective data use isn't just about having the right numbers. It's about using data appropriately to serve all students equitably. Mandinach's comprehensive framework, built around transparency and consequences, provides educators with practical tools to navigate the complex ethical dilemmas they face daily. From preventing unintended harm to students to resisting accountability pressures that compromise educational integrity, this book offers both theoretical grounding and real-world scenarios that make abstract concepts immediately applicable." --Ed Dieterle, founder and chief learning scientist, Education Research Partners

""When educators find themselves-by virtue of an expanding tech infrastructure able to access voluminous amounts of student-specific data and information, discussions about ethical practice must be central to their work. Ethical, healthy data cultures don't just happen-they are built. Ellen Mandinach has written a book that will spark critical conversations educators need to have about how ethical data use necessarily intersects with fast-evolving legal, political, and policy issues." --Jo Beth Jimerson, PhD, professor, Educational Leadership & Higher Education, William L. and Betty F. Adams Chair of Education, Texas Christian University College of Education

About the Author

Ellen B. Mandinach is a senior research scientist emeritus at WestEd, having retired in 2025. She is a leading expert in the area of data-driven decision making at the classroom, district, and state levels. Her work over the past 20 years has focused on understanding how educators are using data to inform practice. She has served on a number of technical working groups and advisory boards on data use, including the expert committee for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards on teacher assessment and data literacy and the Forum Guide on Data Literacy. Dr. Mandinach developed the constructs and theoretical frameworks for data literacy for teachers and culturally responsive data literacy. Most recently, her focus has been the ethics of data use.