Case Study: Information in Educational Decision Making
At a senior high school, student test score data was processed into information about the average score per subject. The analysis revealed that the average mathematics score was significantly lower than that of other subjects. This information prompted the principal to assign additional teachers, organize remedial tutoring, and provide specialized training for mathematics teachers. These decisions were made based on accurate and relevant information.
Critical Analysis of Information
The main problems with information in education often lie in delays in delivery, incompleteness, and misalignment with user needs. Information that is not delivered on time cannot be used for strategic action. Furthermore, information that is overly complex, without being presented simply (e.g., in tables or charts), will be difficult to understand. Thus, information quality must be ensured so that it is genuinely useful for its users.
Theoretical Review on Information Quality
The quality of information is measured by several indicators: accuracy, relevance, timeliness, completeness, consistency, and clarity. According to McLeod, the quality of information determines the effectiveness of an information system. Incorrect information will inevitably result in poor decisions.
Information quality is not only about content but also about presentation. Proper presentation helps users easily understand the content. In education, the quality of information is often under public scrutiny, particularly concerning budget transparency, accreditation results, and school zoning policies. Poor-quality information decreases public trust in educational institutions.
Case Study: Information Quality in Education
The Ministry of Education launched a digital-based education report card as a form of information transparency. However, if schools submitted incomplete or inaccurate data, the report card displayed biased information. This could result in government policies being misdirected. This case highlights that the quality of information is highly dependent on the validity of data and the accuracy of the facts upon which it is built.
Critical Analysis of Information Quality
Information quality in education still faces challenges such as delayed reporting, differing standards across institutions, and low digital literacy. To address this, an integrated information system is required, one that enables automatic validation, synchronization across data sources, and the enhancement of human resource capacity in data literacy. Without high-quality information, educational management information systems will not function effectively.
