State leaders are grappling with generation-defining challenges as they work to fully understand and address the impact of the pandemic on students and communities. As leaders turn their attention to the upcoming school year, data continues to be a critical tool for informing recovery efforts. Data Quality Campaign's (DQC) 2021 public opinion polling found that state and local leaders will need to work together and use data to tackle pressing issues, which include: (1) Understanding and responding to disrupted post-high school pathways; (2) Measuring and mitigating unprecedented levels of unfinished learning; and (3) Enrolling and re-engaging students. Conducted by The Harris Poll, DQC's sixth poll of parents and first poll of principals uncovered several disconnects in perceptions about data-disconnects that must be addressed. From parents' supportive views on state assessments to principals' confidence in teachers' capacity to use data, the 2021 polling results show what parents and principals are thinking about data use and how education leaders can work to overcome these potential barriers to recovery efforts.