Data Systems

Longitudinal data can play a vital role in addressing complex policy issues across the preschool through workforce spectrum. By incorporating new data sources, embracing new technologies and reaching new audiences, data systems are becoming more powerful tools for addressing learners’ diverse and changing needs.

As education data become more varied and complex, so do the challenges of protecting students’ privacy. These resources outline how states are developing safe and sound data systems — and using that data to create actionable steps to improve education opportunities for students.

Recently Published Resources

A subheading that provides more information or a call to action.

Featured

Topic

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Elit et cursus pharetra neque eu. Netus praesent scelerisque sit quis elit amet tincidunt ultrices.

Policy Brief

State Strategies for Effective Data Governance

As state agencies collect more data to best serve residents, effective data governance practices can ensure that decisionmakers get the information they need to solve the most pressing education issues […]

Lessons in Data Governance for State Education Leaders

This Policy Brief stems from a Thinkers Meeting hosted by Education Commission of the States that gathered experts in data governance to discuss how state leaders can avoid common pitfalls that undermine data governance policies.

State Strategies to Protect Student Data Privacy

This Special Report presents brief case studies of state agencies in Colorado, Kentucky and Utah that have developed effective structures and processes to protect the privacy of students’ data without compromising data systems’ role in improving education.

Ed Note Blog Posts

A subheading that provides more information or a call to action.

K-12

Elevating the Teaching Profession With Data-Driven Salary Increases

This guest post comes from Ellen Sherratt, president of the board at Teacher Salary Project and Lisa Lachlan–Haché, director of the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders at the American Institutes for Research. All views in guest […]

K-12

A person with light-brown skin reviews an education data dashboard on their laptop.

Indiana Dashboard Provides Clear, Comprehensive Data Story

In December 2022, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) launched the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed Dashboard (Indiana GPS). The aim is to compile education data from early childhood education […]

K-12

2022 Data Privacy Legislation in Review

Data privacy and security continue to be a priority in education, especially among parents and students who wish to minimize risks of unintentional or malicious disclosures of student information. Our […]

K-12

Using Data to Understand Teacher Retention in Minnesota

Data collection can be a powerful tool for policymakers in crafting and implementing targeted, effective and sustainable policy solutions. In Minnesota, the Department of Education and the Professional Educator Licensure […]

K-12

Keeping Schools Safe While Protecting Students’ Privacy

Since 1970, 2,511 K-12 students have been wounded or killed in school shootings in the United States, and 2021 witnessed the largest number in a single year. School districts have […]

K-12

How Nevada Is Keeping Students and Teachers Digitally Connected

The dramatic shift to digital learning at the start of the pandemic called for bold, innovative state policies to ensure that all students were being served regardless of where they […]

K-12

A By-The-Numbers Approach to Exploring the Arts in Charters

In the 2018-19 school year, nearly 175,000 pre-K-12 students attended a charter school with a curricular focus in the arts. These charter schools offer a variety of course tracks across […]

K-12

Digital Learning Considerations as States Implement the American Rescue Plan

As vaccinations continue across the country — and especially with the news that 12- to 15-year-olds can now be vaccinated — the K-12 education system is gearing up for what’s […]

Postsecondary

Education for the 21st Century: Entrepreneurship Meets CTE

Much has been written about the disconnect between the skills businesses need from workers and the capabilities workers actually possess. This skills gap has troubled educators and employers alike, both […]

K-12

States Lead the Future of Learning With Technology

Challenges with high-quality virtual and blended learning continue to impact schools across the country. However, in the face of the ongoing pandemic, we continue to learn about opportunities to leverage […]

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.