When Teachers Are Drowning in Data: How Smart Systems Can Help Them Swim

In today’s classrooms, data is everywhere—assessment scores, reading levels, progress monitors, benchmark reports. But more data doesn’t always mean more clarity. In fact, for many teachers, it’s just the opposite. They’re drowning in spreadsheets, dashboards, and acronyms, all while trying to deliver high-quality instruction to students with very different needs.

At its core, the goal of education data is simple: help teachers make better decisions. And in literacy instruction, that’s more important than ever.

Why Data-Driven Decisions Matter

Data-informed instruction is the engine behind the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), a framework used by schools to ensure every child receives the right level of academic help—whether that’s whole-class instruction (Tier 1), small-group intervention (Tier 2), or intensive, individualized support (Tier 3).

But MTSS only works if the data is clear, actionable, and aligned with daily instruction. That’s where things often break down.

Teachers are expected to answer big questions like:

• Which students need phonics support, and which need help with comprehension?

• How do these scores align with the curriculum I’m using?

• When do I have time to sort through all this data—let alone act on it?

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The Real Challenge Isn’t the Data. It’s the Time.

Most teachers know what to look for—but they don’t have time to analyze, map, and regroup students every few weeks. When instructional minutes are already tight, combing through multiple platforms or decoding dashboards isn’t just frustrating—it’s unsustainable.

What teachers need isn’t more data. They need tools that help them:

• Focus on the right data (e.g., phonemic awareness, decoding fluency, comprehension benchmarks)

• Connect that data directly to their curriculum

• Get clear, real-time guidance on how to group students and adjust instruction

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Where Adira Reads Comes In

TILT Tech with Adira Reads was designed with these challenges in mind—not to replace teachers’ judgment, but to streamline and support it.

• It prioritizes what matters. Instead of flooding teachers with numbers, Adira Reads highlights key indicators that actually drive literacy growth—like decoding accuracy or word recognition speed.

• It maps data to instruction. Whether a school uses UFLI, CKLA, or another curriculum, the platform helps teachers link assessment data directly to daily lessons.

• It saves time. Weekly check-ins and monthly regrouping happen automatically, giving teachers more time to teach, not just track.

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Supporting Teachers Means Reducing the Noise

At a time when educators are being asked to do more than ever, our systems should make their work easier—not harder. Smart data practices and tools like Adira Reads aren’t about adding complexity; they’re about removing the clutter so teachers can do what they do best: teach.

When data works with instruction—not in parallel or against it—students make real, measurable gains. And when teachers feel supported instead of overwhelmed, everyone wins.