Elizabeth Dabney

As NBOA’s senior director, research and data analysis, Elizabeth Dabney leads the development, planning and management of industry research using data from the association’s Business Intelligence for Independent Schools (BIIS, pronounced “biz”) platform, in addition to other research activities as identified by the association’s strategic plan. Dabney’s research and analysis supports NBOA’s mission to inform NBOA members and other external stakeholders and encourage data-driven decision making throughout the independent school community.

Dabney brings to NBOA more than 20 years of research experience. Previously, she was the director, research and policy analysis at the Data Quality Campaign, a nonprofit education policy and advocacy organization, and the nation’s leading voice on education data policy and use. Over her career, Dabney has been instrumental in the development and execution of research tools, web-based resources, stories and publications that leverage research and policy analysis work. Her prior professional work experience includes research roles at Westat and Metis Associates, Inc.

Dabney earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from New York University.

Past Webinars

  • Trends in Tuition Discounting: Insights from NBOA Research This item is protected

    October 25, 2024
    Learn about the research findings from the Tuition Discounting Report for PK-12 Independent Schools: 2021-2023, NBOA's recently released multi-year data analysis.
  • Just Released: NBOA's Mission-Anchored Compensation Project This item is protected

    October 27, 2023
    Over the past year, NBOA conducted extensive, innovative research on independent school faculty and staff compensation models. Learn about the project findings and resulting resources to support leaders in leveraging compensation strategies.
  • Striving for Financial Sustainability with the BIIS Heat Map This item is protected

    February 20, 2023
    Participants will become familiar with the Financial Sustainability Heat Map tool in BIIS and learn how the Heat Map can help their school work toward financial sustainability.
  • Financial State of the Independent School Industry This item is protected

    March 30, 2021
    A look at key financial and operational indicators, drawn from several hundred schools’ 2019-2020 data in NBOA's Business Intelligence for Independent Schools (BIIS) data collection platform.

Net Assets Articles

  • Faith and School Finances This item is protected

    October 30, 2024
    Independent schools with a religious affiliation are more reliant on annual giving than all other types of independent schools.
  • Tuition Discounting in School Choice States This item is protected

    September 16, 2024
    The tuition discount rate was higher among schools in school-choice states compared to schools not in school choice states.
  • Financial Differences Between Surplus and Deficit Schools

    August 5, 2024
    In FY23, 66% of schools realized a surplus and 34% had a deficit. How did NTR, annual giving, reserves, staffing ratio and additional levers differ between the surplus and deficit schools?
  • Boarding School Enrollment Risk This item is protected

    July 3, 2024
    Day-boarding schools are particularly concerned about lagging boarding enrollment.
  • Positive Change in PPRRSM This item is protected

    May 2, 2024
    An increased percentage of independent schools report having a PPRRSM reserve.