Dashboard Principle
A dashboard should answer the question "What do I need to know right now?" within seconds. If users have to hunt for information or interpret complex visuals, the dashboard isn't working.
The district's analytics team built a comprehensive dashboard—fifty charts showing every metric they tracked. It was thorough, data-rich, and completely unused. Principals found it overwhelming. Teachers couldn't find what they needed. The dashboard showed everything and communicated nothing.
Dashboard Design Principles
Start with Questions
Before designing, identify what decisions the dashboard supports. What questions do users need answered? What actions should the data drive? Design backwards from decisions.
Know Your Audience
Different users need different views. Superintendents need district-wide trends. Principals need school-level detail. Teachers need classroom and student data. Design for specific users.
Less Is More
Resist the urge to show everything. Focus on key metrics—five to seven per view. Remove anything that doesn't drive decisions. Simplicity enables action.
Visual Hierarchy
Organize information by importance. Most critical metrics should be prominent. Supporting details should be accessible but secondary. Guide the eye to what matters.
Dashboard Types by Audience
District Leaders
- • Aggregate trends
- • School comparisons
- • Goal progress
- • Equity metrics
Principals
- • School performance
- • Grade/subject detail
- • At-risk students
- • Teacher metrics
Teachers
- • Class performance
- • Individual students
- • Standard mastery
- • Intervention needs
All AcumenEd Features
Explore our complete suite of data analytics tools designed for Michigan charter schools.
Essential Dashboard Components
Key Performance Indicators
Lead with headline metrics: proficiency rates, attendance rates, on-track percentages. These should be immediately visible with clear indication of status (on target, at risk, below target).
Trend Lines
Show how metrics change over time. Is performance improving or declining? Trends reveal trajectory and help identify emerging issues before they become crises.
Comparisons
Provide context through comparison: to targets, to prior year, to similar schools. Raw numbers mean little without benchmarks.
Drill-Down Capability
Enable users to explore detail when needed. Click on a school to see grades. Click on a grade to see students. Layered access keeps the main view clean while enabling investigation.
Alert Indicators
Highlight items requiring attention. Red flags, warning icons, or prominent placement should draw users to areas needing action.
Visualization Best Practices
Choose Charts Wisely
Match visualization to data: bar charts for comparisons, line charts for trends, gauges for progress toward goals. Avoid pie charts for more than five categories. Never use 3D effects.
Use Color Intentionally
Color should convey meaning: green for positive, red for concerning, yellow for caution. Use color sparingly and consistently. Ensure accessibility for color-blind users.
Label Clearly
Every chart needs clear titles, axis labels, and legends. Users shouldn't have to guess what they're seeing. Include data sources and dates.
Resources & Guides
Access implementation guides, best practices, and training materials for your team.
Implementation Considerations
Data Refresh Frequency
How often does data update? Daily attendance needs daily refresh. Assessment data might update after each testing window. Match refresh to data currency needs.
Access and Permissions
Control who sees what. Teachers should see their students; principals should see their school. Implement role-based access that protects privacy while enabling appropriate use.
Training and Support
Even well-designed dashboards require training. Help users understand what they're seeing, how to navigate, and how to act on insights.
The district rebuilt their dashboard with focus. Three views for three audiences, each with five key metrics. Principals could see school health at a glance, drill into detail when needed, and identify students requiring attention. Usage soared—the dashboard finally served its purpose.
Key Takeaways
- Design dashboards around decisions—start with questions, not data.
- Different audiences need different views—one size doesn't fit all.
- Less is more—focus on key metrics with drill-down for detail.
- Use visualization best practices: appropriate charts, intentional color, clear labels.
James Okonkwo
Senior Implementation Specialist
Former charter school administrator with deep expertise in Michigan charter school accountability and authorizer relations.
