Documenting implementation of education data governance

Developments in AI, analytics and cross-border systems provide the immediate reference point for consideration of education data governance in 2024.

A proper review the applicable requirement should establish the intended outcome before selecting controls or indicators. In the context of education data governance, conformity should not be inferred from a policy document alone; operating records and outcomes should show that the stated arrangements are in use.

Scope and application of documenting implementation of education data governance

Its relevance to education data governance should be assessed against the affected jurisdiction, learner population and form of provision.

For decisions concerning education data governance, the relevant outcome should be capable of direct and consistent explanation. For the applicable expectation, technology may support teaching, administration and access, but consequential educational decisions must remain accountable, explainable and open to effective review.

• Notify users of material limitations.
• Retain accountable human decision-makers.
• Control personal and confidential information.
• Prohibit uses for which evidence or authority is insufficient.
• Test performance across relevant groups.

Controls for implementation of education data governance

In examining documenting implementation of education data governance, review of education data governance should follow a stated and reproducible method.

Evidence concerning education data governance should be selected against a clearly defined question. For the applicable expectation, the most relevant material is likely to include documented authority for each consequential use, supplier change and incident records, an inventory of systems and their intended uses, and records of human review and overrides.

Accountability for the matter should follow decision-making authority. Across the defined scope, evidence of material risk should be placed before the body with authority to act, together with a traceable decision. For education data governance, where work is delegated, the record should continue to identify who is accountable for material consequences to learners.

For education data governance, the final record on the matter should identify the applicable expectation, the relevant scope, the evidence examined, the sampling basis, material exceptions and the reason for the conclusion.

Review of implementation of education data governance

Implementation of education data governance can be tested without imposing unnecessary reporting. Review the control should specify mandatory fields, source ownership, access rights, retention and correction procedures. Test a sample from creation through use, amendment, reporting and disposal, including records created during disruption or by a delivery partner.

The principal risks in relation to the matter are loss of meaningful human review, opaque use of personal or inferred data, automation bias in consequential decisions, and unequal performance across learner groups. When examining education data governance, a weakness in one part of the control environment may obscure a related failure elsewhere.

For education data governance, accountability and effective correction both depend on a record that can be followed from evidence to decision. For the applicable expectation, the responsible body should be able to identify the evidence considered, the judgement made, the person or body authorised to make it and the action that followed. Historical decisions concerning education data governance should be assessed against the information then available, with later amendments separately dated and explained.

The principal risks associated with the matter should be assessed as connected conditions. The evidential basis for the applicable expectation should identify source, period, coverage and material limitations. For education data governance, corroboration is required where a single record cannot support the decision. Across the defined scope, accuracy measured in one setting may not transfer to another population, language, curriculum or decision context.

For education data governance, a complete conclusion on the matter requires evidence extending beyond an individual measure or safeguard.