Have you ever wished you could tell the story of all the things your program does to any audience, any time, using real data from your program to back it up?
Data visualization is a key tool to telling your story. It is also an essential part of driving program improvement. Opening the door to empower Head Start staff to use data depends on being able to show them the data in a way that has meaning to them and that they can understand.
Stock reports from ChildPlus, COPA, or GoEngage can help you comply, but they make boring slides in presentations.
This course is about doing more. It is about taking the first steps towards making your data an effective tool for improving your program and telling your stories.
In this introduction to data visualization in Excel, we will explore how to get data out of your existing platforms and to use Excel to turn it into visuals anyone can use. You don’t need to be an expert in Excel, you just need a basic understanding.
The course consists of four modules offered in 4 consecutive weeks:
- Module 1: Getting Started
- Module 2: Getting the Data
- Module 3: Basic Visualization
- Module 4: Pivot Tables & Charts
Each module includes a 2-hour Zoom meeting in which the content will be explored.
The course also includes access to the Canvas LMS where participants can explore walk-through videos for various data visualizations and Excel techniques.
Successful completion of this course provides:
- 10 Professional Development Hours
- 1 Continuing Education Unit.
- A digital credential
Timeline
This course includes four meetings on Zoom. Each meeting is two hours long and includes discussion and activities related to the course and its projects.
For Individuals
- Tell Your Program’s Story with Confidence and Impact: You know your program does great work - but telling that story to funders, boards, or staff can be tough. This course shows you how to use your own data to create clear, compelling visuals that help any audience see your program’s impact.
- Make Your Data Work for You, Not Just for Compliance: Stock reports might check the boxes - but they don’t inspire action or engagement. This course helps you go beyond compliance to create visuals that actually help drive decisions, build understanding, and spark improvement.
- Learn Practical Excel Skills You Can Use Right Away: You don’t have to be an Excel wizard. This course is designed for beginners with a basic understanding of Excel and walks you through essential tools - like pivot tables and charts - that make your data easier to understand and more useful.
- Empower Others Through Better Data Sharing: By learning how to present data in ways that are accessible and meaningful, you can help others in your program feel more comfortable and capable using data themselves. This builds a stronger, more informed team culture.
- Earn a Credential While Building Career-Ready Skills: With 10 PDHs, 1 CEU, and a digital credential, this course gives you formal recognition for gaining practical, in-demand skills. It’s a smart investment in your professional growth, whether you're looking to lead more effectively or take the next step in your career.
For Programs
- Improve How Your Program Communicates Its Impact: Funders, Policy Councils, and governing boards want to see clear evidence of results. This course equips staff with the skills to create powerful visuals from real program data—turning standard compliance reports into compelling, audience-ready stories that highlight success and progress.
- Support Data-Driven Decision Making Across the Team: Stock reports are not always useful for strategic planning or daily operations. By investing in staff who can transform raw data into practical, easy-to-read visuals, programs gain tools that inform better decisions at all levels.
- Build Internal Skills Without Needing External Consultants: Instead of hiring outside help for every data visualization need, this course gives your team the skills to handle basic data work in-house. Staff learn how to extract data from platforms like ChildPlus and use Excel to turn it into meaningful graphics—saving time and money over the long term.
- Promote a Culture of Shared Data Understanding: When data is visualized well, it becomes more accessible to everyone—from classroom staff to leadership. This training helps demystify data, building a culture where all team members are more engaged, informed, and confident in using data for improvement.
- Cost-Effective Professional Development with Real Outcomes: For a small investment, your program receives 10 PDHs, 1 CEU, and a staff member who can immediately apply what they’ve learned. It’s professional development that directly improves program operations and communication, with measurable impact.