How Often Should You Look at Online Learning Program Data?

From iReady to Zearn, Khan Academy to Google Classroom, online learning platforms are everywhere in schools. They promise insight into student practice, progress, and proficiency—but how often should school leaders actually review this data?

The answer: Regularly—but with a critical lens.

Online learning platform data can offer helpful glimpses into student habits and skill growth. But it has limitations—and school leaders must understand both its power and its pitfalls to make smart, student-centered decisions.

Many platforms offer dashboards that track:

• Time-on-task or log-in frequency

• Lesson completion or pacing

• Practice scores or streaks

• Mastery percentages by standard or skill

Reviewing this data weekly or biweekly can help you:

• Identify students who are disengaged or skipping work

• Monitor usage during intervention periods or homework time

• Surface content areas where students are struggling

• Spot trends across grade levels or classrooms

🛑 However, There’s A Catch…

Don’t conflate platform data with learning.

Just because a student is "active" doesn't mean they're engaged. And high completion rates don’t always equal deep understanding. Here are key limitations:

• Surface-level metrics: Many platforms focus on behavior (e.g. time spent, clicks) rather than cognition or comprehension.

• Access barriers: Not all students have equal support, Wi-Fi, devices, or digital literacy skills at home to practice as much as others.

• Platform silos: Data from multiple platforms can be fragmented and difficult to synthesize.

• False positives/negatives: A student might rush through or get help at home—masking what they actually know.

🛠️ Mitigation Strategies: Make Platform Data More Meaningful

Here’s how to make the most of platform data while avoiding the pitfalls:

1. Pair It with Formative Data

Look at platform trends alongside student work, exit tickets, and classroom observations. Use it to generate questions, not conclusions.

2. Spotlight Equity

Disaggregate data by race, language, IEP status, or income. Are some groups logging in less or scoring lower? That’s a signal—not a judgment.

3. Coach for Purposeful Use

Support teachers in using platform data instructionally, not just administratively. What skill needs re-teaching? Which students need a conference?

4. Use Dashboards Thoughtfully

If your platforms don’t “talk to each other,” consider using a dashboard or tracker (like schoolops.ai) to bring key insights together. 

🎯 Review with Purpose, Not Pressure

Online learning platform data can be a helpful tool in your school leadership toolbox—but it’s not a silver bullet. Check it regularly (weekly in classrooms, monthly schoolwide), but always in context.

Remember: the best data is the kind that leads to meaningful action.