The Department of Strategic Performance Initiatives (formerly the Department of Accountability) was launched in August 2021 with the goal of providing data for research and analytics to encourage a systematic approach for district wide progress and growth. The department offers data request fulfillment for reporting and analysis, and production of informational dashboards. It provides school data support; measures and records results for state and district accountability, and monitors and maintains external research partnerships on behalf of Columbus City Schools.

It also manages districtwide state mandated testing which involves communicating and training on testing process and procedures, managing testing systems and providing data to inform instruction for schools, while acting as the accountability liaison between Columbus City Schools and the Ohio Department of Education.