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    Data and Reporting

    ​​​2026 PDE Data Summit

    2026 PDE Data Summit: Turning Data Into Action Because Every Student Deserves A Hero

    ​​​The 2026 PDE Data Summit will be held at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center. Participants will have opportunities to learn, connect, ask questions, and discuss education data with school staff and leaders from across the state. Keynote speakers and breakout sessions will offer information, resources, and tools on a wide variety of topics, from reporting school data, improving data quality and making data-based decisions, to data governance, school improvement, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and more. Attendees will experience impactful professional learning opportunities, gain technical skills, and leave with a better understanding of their data and how it can be used to support and benefit the school communities they serve.

    Summit Dates: March 30th, 2026 – April 1st, 2026

    Event Location: Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
    Hershey Lodge Accommodations: Reserve your Hotel Room
    Important - Kindly ensure your reservation is made using the “PDE Data Summit 2026” room block

    Official Event Hashtag: #PDEDataSummit2026

    PDE Data Summit

    Keynote Speakers

    Hamish Brewer

    Monday, March 30th, 2026

    Hamish Brewer

    Hamish Brewer is a powerful and positive disruptor who transcends the status quo and typical norms in leadership and education. Mr. Brewer has become globally recognized while inspiring, advocating and amplifying the voices of communities everywhere. He built his reputation on results and performance, becoming affectionally known as the Relentless, Tattooed Skateboarding Principal with his galvanizing message to "Be Relentless" and his high-octane delivery style.  

    Adam Welcome

    Tuesday, March 31st, 2026

    Adam Welcome

    Adam has been a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal and Director of Innovation for a district with 35,000 students. He was a '20 To Watch' with the National School Board Association, Principal of the Year in his region, a Fellow with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, named a Top 100 Influencer in Education by District Administration and has been blogging about education for the past 15 years. Adam is passionate about connecting with other educators from across the country and makes it clear that kids come first and has preached the message of Team Kid for many years. He is also the co-founder of Kids Deserve It, the best selling author of four books and he has three podcasts. Adam has an amazing wife (Stacy) and two young children (Greta and Tilden) that keep life at home exciting and active. Adam also loves to run and has finished 30 marathons.

    DQN Data Governance Award of Excellence

    The Data Quality Network would like to acknowledge outstanding contributions to the quality of data within Pennsylvania schools. The award will be presented to honor a member of a data governance team who has exhibited dedication, leadership, and commitment to the establishment and growth of data governance either within their organization or on a regional or statewide scale.

    The DQN Data Governance Award of Excellence will again be presented at the annual Data Summit.  Find out more about this award on the DQN website.

    Prior Award Recipients:

    • 2025 - Dominic “Nick” Aquilino, New Hope-Solebury School District
    • 2024 – Rebecca Daugherty, Chester County Intermediate Unit
    • 2023 – Deb Henry, Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
    • 2022 – Lori Moyer, Conrad Weiser Area School District
    • 2021 – BJ Fialkovich, Propel Schools
    • 2020 – Brad Showers, Upper Adams School District
    • 2019 – Mary Ann Calderone, PA Distance Learning Charter School
    • 2018 – Donna Loy, Hempfield Area School District
    • 2017 – Diane Szader, Wallenpaupack Area School District

    Data Summit Volunteer of the Year

    The Data Summit Team would like to recognize one volunteer per year that goes above and beyond to help plan and organize this year's event. The volunteer team is selected from a pool of applicants, and this award honors just one individual out of this engaged and dedicated group.

    Prior Award Recipients:

    • 2024 – Eufemio Pagan, Agora Cyber Charter
    • 2023 – Karen Walsh, Valley View School District
    • 2022 – Marie Link, Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8
    • 2021 – Stacey McCreary, Chester County IU 24
    • 2019 – Anita Danielson, Seneca Highlands IU 9; Danielle Stanislawczyk, Delaware County IU 25; Marsha Hughes, Beaver Valley IU 27
    • 2018 – Sabrina Dalusio, Montgomery County IU 23
    • 2017 – Greg Hess, Lancaster-Lebanon IU 13

    Attendee Cancellation and Refund Policy

    Refunds (minus a $25 administrative/processing fee will be granted to registrants who cancel by email at RA-EDPDEDATASUMMIT@pa.gov at least 20 business days prior to the event. Cancellation notices must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27th, 2026, to receive a refund.

    Refunds will not be provided to registrants who neither cancel nor attend the event. Confirmed registrants who are unable to attend the event may send a substitute in their place at no additional cost. Substitution information must be received by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (RA-EDPDEDATASUMMIT@pa.gov) two full business days (Wednesday, March 25th, 2026) before the start of the event.