From Data Gaps to Clarity: Strengthening Evaluation at Classroom Champions

Overview

Classroom Champions connects world-class athlete mentors with K–8 classrooms to help students develop social and emotional skills, build confidence, and set goals. While their programs were making a measurable difference, their data collection systems and evaluation tools weren’t fully aligned with their updated Theory of Change.

They engaged us to assess their current data strategy, refine their logic model, and establish consistent, clearly defined metrics—laying the groundwork for stronger evaluation and continuous improvement.

Project Objectives

Classroom Champions’ vision for success is rooted in understanding how its programs connect to one another, contribute to organizational impact, and achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes.

To support that vision, the organization sought a streamlined, inclusive data strategy to:

  • Better understand if/where programs are delivering desired impact

  • Identify opportunities for improvement

  • Craft compelling narratives that communicate effectiveness


This strategy builds on existing infrastructure and organizational strengths to enhance three areas.

Unified Vision

Staff share a common understanding of metrics and outcomes and how their individual roles—and the data they generate or use—contribute to organization-wide goals.

Enhanced Data Informed Decision Making

Data is regularly reviewed and applied to program design, resource allocation, and fundraising strategies.

Effective Program Implementation

Data becomes a tool for learning and growth, equipping the organization to adapt and respond to evolving needs.

The Solution

  • Reviewed past surveys, interviews, dashboards, and impact reports to identify gaps and inconsistencies.

  • Cataloged all existing assessment tools, noting type, target audience, storage location, and usage.

  • Analyzed teacher interview transcripts to compare qualitative findings with survey data.

  • Recommended redesign and pilot testing of surveys to ensure alignment with core outcomes.

  • Proposed consistent qualitative feedback protocols and ongoing process evaluations for curriculum rollouts.

Data Audit

Logic Model Refinement & Theory of Change Design

  • Shifted from a brief review to a full collaborative refinement process using the Tearless Logic Model approach.

  • Clarified outcomes by audience, focusing on what the program can realistically influence or control.

  • Produced an updated Theory of Change and logic model that provides a clear, actionable framework for evaluation.

Clarify & Align Key Metrics

  • Identified misalignments in how key metrics were defined and measured.

  • Led workshops to codify definitions, document historical variances, and establish ideal future-state metrics.

  • Created a data operations handbook and other resources to guide consistent reporting.

  • Recommended governance processes for updating terms, managing dashboards, and maintaining cross-team alignment.

The Result

Classroom Champions now has:

  • A refined, audience-specific logic model that clearly connects activities to outcomes.

  • Codified definitions for key metrics, creating a strong foundation for consistent reporting and evaluation.

  • Practical recommendations for survey design, qualitative feedback, and ongoing data governance.


These improvements position the organization to track what matters most, improve program quality over time, and build a sustainable culture of data-driven practice.

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align your team?

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