When organizations think about data accuracy, they often focus on the outputs: dashboards, reports, or insights that shape big decisions. But as Mike LeClare explains in this micro-segment from our full webinar, The Realities of AI Data, accuracy starts long before the analysis—with disciplined, careful, and continuous data maintenance.
Behind every clean dataset is a process that most people never see. Mike describes how Agile processes over a thousand individual data files each year, spanning state departments of education, federal databases, census files, and numerous other sources. Each file must be reviewed, compared year-over-year, checked for anomalies, and evaluated for any shifts in how states choose to report their information.
And sometimes, those anomalies are big ones.
Mike recalls a year when the federal file contained no Title I fiscal data for Los Angeles. At first glance, the numbers looked alarming—but the problem wasn’t with the district. Los Angeles did have Title I funding; they simply couldn’t report it that year due to internal issues they were working to resolve. Without that context, anyone using the file would have drawn inaccurate conclusions.
Examples like this appear across the country. Every state has its own “story” behind the data—unique reporting rules, special programs, renamed institutions, reorganized districts, or files structured differently from year to year. Michigan, for instance, has several programs where multiple schools share the same address and phone number, which can confuse platforms that rely on automated matching. Without domain expertise, someone might mistakenly assume these records are duplicates or errors.
This is why normalization is such a critical—and time-consuming—part of Agile’s work. It’s not just about organizing data; it’s about understanding the systems behind the numbers, knowing what each state is doing differently, and determining what is realistic from a personnel or institutional perspective.
Mike notes a great example:
Is it possible for someone to be the superintendent of three districts at once?
Under normal circumstances, no.
But in states where multiple districts are administered under a single organizational structure, the answer becomes yes.
These nuances matter. And they’re exactly the kinds of details automated systems or AI models can easily misinterpret without human oversight.
Mike’s insight reinforces a key theme from the broader conversation: AI is powerful, but context is irreplaceable. Data may look clean on the surface, but without the expertise to interpret it, even the most advanced tools can’t distinguish between a real trend and a reporting quirk.
In environments as complex and varied as K–12 education, reliability doesn’t come from automation alone. It comes from disciplined processes, domain expertise, and the human ability to understand why the data looks the way it does.
Ready to boost your educational marketing strategy? Watch the full webinar to learn more about the promises, pitfalls, and best practices of AI in education marketing, or explore Agile’s education data insights to get started.
With over a decade of experience as Director of Data Management at Agile Education Marketing, Mike “Squid” LeClare leads the charge in data quality and integrity as Director of Data Management. He oversees all aspects of data compilation and presentation, ensuring the team and clients alike can count on accurate, reliable and current information.
Mike’s path to Agile began with a background in CIS and operations management. What sets his work apart is his consistency through continual improvement—he’s helped position Agile as the most trusted provider of education data by evolving internal data management processes, responding to client needs, and leveraging the latest technology.
This year’s funding adjustments are not just figures on spreadsheets or topics in budget meetings. They are tangible, felt in the very heart of our education system-in classrooms, teacher lounges, and school hallways.
Learn how procurement education helps vendors navigate school purchasing, connect with decision-makers, and sell smarter to K–12 and higher ed schools.
This year’s funding adjustments are not just figures on spreadsheets or topics in budget meetings. They are tangible, felt in the very heart of our education system-in classrooms, teacher lounges, and school hallways.
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