A Bayesian Network Model for Supporting School Managers Decisions in the Pandemic Era

Soc Indic Res. 2022;163(3):1445-1465. doi: 10.1007/s11205-022-02952-3. Epub 2022 Jun 2.

Abstract

Due to the dramatic health situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in Italy the emergency remote teaching lasted longer than in other countries. The mandatory teaching modalities have required digital transformation processes in a framework where digital-divide is one of the limitations to school modernization. We believe that the experience can promote a deeper formatting of organizational process. The paper shows results of a multitarget research carried out during the Italian lockdown aiming at animating the debate around school from multi-actors perspectives and at supporting policies. The paper aims at showing the potentiality of a multivariate statistical method as a tool supporting school managers in identifying those challenges they have to face to improve the setting up of internal processes. The main result is a model supporting the decision making process at orienting school managers strategies.

Keywords: Bayesian networks; Digital-divide; Evidence sensitivity; Italian school; Organizational aspects; Value of information; What-if-analysis.