Unlocking Tomorrow’s Classrooms: Attitudes and Motivation Toward Data-Based Decision-Making in Teacher Education

In today’s increasingly data-driven educational landscape, teachers are expected to use data to inform instructional decisions. However, effective data use depends not only on statistical competence but also on motivation, attitudes, and academic self-concept. This study examines how these factors influence student teachers’ readiness to engage with standardized assessment data. A survey of 164 Flemish primary education student teachers assessed their motivation, attitudes toward data use, and academic self-concept. Cluster analysis identified four distinct profiles, ranging from highly competent yet disengaged users to low-performing but externally motivated individuals, highlighting significant variability in data engagement. A pre- and post-test study design involving an e-course on basic statistical concepts demonstrated that targeted instruction can enhance perceived competence, particularly in areas such as box plot interpretation. Findings suggest that technical training alone is insufficient to promote sustained data use; fostering intrinsic motivation, positive attitudes, and a strong academic self-concept is essential for long-term engagement with data.