Which data type would best describe comparisons of graduation rates across different student groups to inform targeted interventions?

• A. Qualitative
• B. Process
• C. Disaggregated
• D. Quantitative

Answer: (C)

Disaggregated data is what you need when you want to inform targeted interventions. It means breaking the overall graduation rate into subgroups—by race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, English learner status, and so on. This reveals where gaps exist and which groups aren’t meeting the same outcomes as others. With that level of detail, you can design specific supports for the groups that need them, rather than applying one-size-fits-all programs.

While graduation rates are numerical (quantitative), just looking at the overall rate hides differences between groups. Qualitative data would provide stories or descriptions, not the numerical comparisons needed to target resources. Process data describes how things are done, not the outcomes by subgroup. So, disaggregated data best fits the goal of informing targeted interventions.