In March, the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) convened federal and state data leaders to discuss key challenges to and opportunities for modernizing statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs). During the day-long gathering, Reimagining State Data Systems: A Federal–State Conversation, participants unpacked state and federal strategies to transform SLDSs so that they enable the kinds of access to data that people need to navigate smooth education and workforce pathways—as outlined in DQC’s vision for data access. We’ve collected key themes that emerged during the robust conversation, alongside ac ..read more

States are beginning to wrap up this year’s legislative sessions. 32 states including DC are still in regular session and 15 states have adjourned for the year. Another 11 states will adjourn by May 10. At this point, DQC is monitoring over 200 education and workforce data bills across 39 states.  In this year’s state legislation update blog posts, we have highlighted bills that focus on increasing access to data, in line with DQC’s vision for data access. This month, we continue that focus with a spotlight on two new bills and a newly enacted law:  Colorado’s HB 24-1403 requires t ..read more

On March 7, 2024, the President shared his top priorities, including multiple education and workforce policies, in his State of the Union (SOTU) address available to watch here. This blog highlights how important these priorities are and how necessary it is that these policies receive continued support, including funding, to show what is possible when policymakers leverage data systems to answer questions and better support individuals and communities.  The President’s SOTU outlined several education and workforce development policies that will require robust statewide longitudinal data ..read more

Future teachers need better access to data to understand their options and make decisions throughout their journeys toward a career as educators. This guest blog post is from Mimi Woldeyohannes, the Director of External Affairs at the Center for Black Educator Development. Mimi shares her expertise on the Center’s programs which aim to build a strong pipeline of Black teachers.  We need Black teachers. Studies have found that all students, especially Black students, benefit from having at least one Black teacher during their K–12 education. By having just one or two Black teachers in the ..read more

The 2024 state legislative season is underway, with 44 states and the District of Columbia currently in session—and it’s already been a busy one. So far, the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) team is tracking over 130 new education and workforce data bills from across the country.  Going into this legislative session, DQC recently highlighted the three actions state legislators should take this year to focus on access to data: codify cross-agency data governance, ensure greater access to data for decisionmaking, and keep data privacy and security top of  mind.  So far, we are already ..read more

As DQC enters our eleventh year of monitoring state data legislation, our team is gearing up for another eventful legislative season. 24 states have already convened for the 2024 legislative session, and another nine states are preparing to start their sessions over the next week. As in years past, DQC will continue to identify and track legislation that impacts data policy across the education to workforce continuum—and highlight key themes, promising trends, and next steps for policymakers.  Following the launch of our new data access vision last year, this year DQC will pay special at ..read more

Statewide data systems must be designed to connect students to the supports they need to complete their college education. This guest blog post is from Jinann Bitar, Director of Higher Education Research and Data Analytics at The Education Trust. Jinann shares her expertise on why it is crucial for states to modernize their state data systems in order to improve postsecondary education access, affordability, and success for all students. Despite the well-documented value of having a college degree, there are deep and persistent challenges in terms of who among us can access, afford, and com ..read more

People need access to data to navigate successful journeys through their education and careers. In order to ensure individuals, the public, and policymakers alike have the information they need to make decisions, states must take steps to build robust statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) that connect individual-level data over time across early education, K–12, postsecondary, and workforce.  Certain kinds of research and policy questions can only be answered by longitudinal data. This is especially true of questions about skills-based education and workforce practices. Skills-base ..read more

When state data systems are built to provide access to education and workforce data, decisionmakers at all levels will be able to use data to build a workforce landscape that enables economic mobility for all. This guest blog post is from Chase Sackett, Director of Policy at America Forward. Chase shares about a set of workforce data reforms which outline the priorities of the Data Quality Campaign, America Forward, and other partners to improve the existing federal workforce data ecosystem with better data quality and integrate intergovernmental data to improve individuals’ abilities to nav ..read more

When state data systems are built to enable access to education and workforce data, state leaders will be able to use data to design, implement, continuously improve, and scale up promising practices. This guest blog post is from Eleanor Eckerson Peters, Director of Research and Policy at the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP). On October 17, 2023, IHEP co-hosted a virtual event with Results for America which brought together state and national leaders to discuss stories about postsecondary success implementation from a state-level perspective. Eleanor shares insights from the webin ..read more