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Bridging the Gap Between Big Data and Student Stories with Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan

Author
Jessica Lane
Published
Thu 14 Aug 2025
Episode Link
None

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Executive Functioning Guide: drkarendudekbrannan.com/efschools
7-Day Course: drkarendudekbrannan.com/schoolleaders 
Karen’s Podcast: defactoleaders.com

In this episode, I interview Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, a speech pathologist with a wide range of experience in education, from one-on-one student evaluations to designing state-level data systems. The conversation centers on the challenge of balancing large-scale data with the individual stories of students, particularly for difficult-to-measure skills like executive functioning. We discuss why many people are skeptical of data in education, often due to its historical misuse for punitive accountability rather than for growth and support. The conversation highlights the difference between "data-driven" and "data-informed" approaches, emphasizing that data should serve as a starting point to ask questions, not a final verdict. We also explore how to build a culture of trust and collaboration around data, especially when implementing new systems and protocols.

Learn more about Karen Dudek-Brannan at drkarenspeech.com, drkarendudekbrannan.com

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Connect with Karen Dudek-Brannan
Email: [email protected]
X: @drkaren2014
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-dudek-brannan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drkarenspeech
Podcast: defactoleaders.com

Connect with Jessica 
Email: [email protected] 
X: @informedimpact
Instagram: @informedimpact 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/informedimpact 

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