Data Quality Campaign

How State Data Leaders Can Empower Researchers | DQC As states continue to build and modernize SLDSs, ensuring responsible researcher access is essential to maximizing the systems’ value for communities and decisionmakers.

Individual-level, de-identified data can help researchers:
- Evaluate program effectiveness
- Identify pathways to workforce success
- Understand why some students thrive while others struggle
Our new brief outlines 5 best practices to help states expand researcher access:

Twenty Years of DQC - Data Quality Campaign Twenty Years of DQC For two decades, the Data Quality Campaign has been the preeminent voice advocating for transforming the role of data to ensure that people can make education and workforce decisio...

It’s an honor to serve as Chair of the Board for the @dqcdata.bsky.social as we celebrate 20 years of making data work for policymakers, families, and communities.

Hear my and other leaders' thoughts about the continued importance of DQC's work here: dataqualitycampaign.org/about/twenty...

What Building and Sustaining an SLDS Costs | DQC DQC analyzed four robust statewide longitudinal data systems to find out what it costs to build and maintain these critical systems.

Our latest brief breaks down what it really costs to build and maintain a high-quality SLDS and how states can use smart funding strategies, effective governance, and skilled staff to make data work for people.

Learn more: dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/fun...

Codifying an Early Childhood Integrated Data System | DQC This spring, Texas legislators passed a law to develop an ECIDS designed to give policymakers, state agency staff, and other early childhood decisionmakers the information they need to understand how ...

Texas recently passed a law to codify an early childhood integrated data system that will connect cross-agency data to help answer questions about how the state is serving children from birth to five. Learn what other states can take from this approach: dataqualitycampaign.org/codifying-an...

Interest in streamlined admissions continues to spread, with more than 24 states exploring innovations that rely on data to simplify the process for students. See our full set of examples and best practices in our latest resource: dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/str...

Community Engagement Is Crucial for State Data Efforts | DQC People, including state policymakers, school leaders, families, college administrators, employers, and the public, should have a say in how their state provides access to education and workforce data

People should have a say in how their state provides access to education & workforce data. Our new resource explores how states can meaningfully engage communities to build trust, improve tools, and meet real data needs. dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/com...

Using Data to Streamline College Admissions and Access | DQC Streamlined admissions processes can reduce administrative burden and help students pursue their goals, but must be supported by robust data systems.

Streamlined admissions processes can reduce administrative burden and help students pursue their goals. Our latest resource explores what streamlined admissions can look like in action and provides examples of how some states are making it happen. dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/usi...

Enhancing Unemployment Insurance Wage Data | DQC Enhanced UI wage data can equip leaders with a data source that provides a fuller picture of their workforce.

Policymakers across the country are seeking to better understand credentials of value. Enhanced unemployment insurance (UI) wage data can help bridge information gaps by providing a fuller picture of education to workforce outcomes. Learn more: dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/enh...

Education and Workforce Programs Need Federal Data To Succeed | DQC Deep funding cuts in FY25 and FY26 budgets will impact student aid, job training programs, and the federal data needed to run them.

Current federal funding proposals will limit education and workforce programs available to students, workers, and their families. Our blog post summarizes these proposals and highlights how federal data is critical to implementing these programs. dataqualitycampaign.org/education-an...

Every state has its own unique data goals. If you’d like a version of this video tailored to your state’s specific needs, let us know!

YouTube video by Data Quality Campaign The Power of SLDS: From Data to Action

What if state leaders could securely bring together state and local data to uncover powerful insights about education to workforce opportunities and outcomes? Learn more in our video: youtu.be/4GXAJLBBDQo?...

Promotional image for 'Thank A Black Teacher Day' featuring two photos of individuals wearing branded T-shirts alongside the logo of the Center for Black Educator Development. Text encourages appreciation for Black teachers and highlights their positive impact on students.

Promotional poster for Black Teacher Appreciation Day by the Center for Black Educator Development. The poster includes images of joyful teachers and students in classroom settings, with text stating that only 7% of U.S. teachers identify as Black.

Image promoting Black Teacher Appreciation Day by the Center for Black Educator Development. Features four individuals wearing T-shirts with the text "We Need Black Teachers." The main text states "Black students make up over 15% of the K-12 population." The background includes classroom settings with additional people.

Promotional poster for Black Teacher Appreciation Day, featuring a statistic from the Center for Black Educator Development that states students who have had Black teachers are 38% more likely to feel they belong at school.

Happy #BlackTeacherAppreciationDay! How did a Black teacher change your life? Today is an opportunity to help everyone learn how Black teachers impact the lives of all students. Use #ThankABlackTeacher and share.

Learn why #WeNeedBlackTeachers: thecenterblacked.org/we-need-blac...

DQC is thrilled to welcome Dr. Vivian Tseng, president and CEO of the Foundation for Child Development, to DQC’s Board of Directors. We look forward to your leadership! dataqualitycampaign.org/team/dr-vivi...

Making Data Work: How Better State Data Can Support Successful Education Transitions - Data Quality Campaign Students and their families need clear information in order to plan for high school and make decisions about what postsecondary options to pursue.

As states prepare to update their report cards, enhanced data quality, clarity, and accessibility are key. Learn more from DQC and our partners at OneGoal: dataqualitycampaign.org/how-better-s...

A treasure trove of education reports and studies is under threat Funding for the Education Department’s online library, ERIC, is slated to end this week

Another tiny, obscure corner of the Education Department is scheduled to lose funding this week. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

The So What: What We're Watching, Week of April 7 | DQC The so what on how recent federal actions are impacting the Department of Education and data privacy.

The latest edition of “The So What” digs into privacy as announcements, executive orders (EOs), and investigations from the administration begin to directly impact student data privacy. Find the blog post here: dataqualitycampaign.org/the-so-what-...

Finding a Path through the Uncertainty: DQC’s Plan to Move Forward - Data Quality Campaign DQC remains committed to working across states to support the field as it navigates how to move forward without federal-level research and a lack of comparable data across states.

In times of uncertainty, a clear path forward matters. Learn how DQC plans to continue advancing our priorities to ensure data serves students, families, and communities. Get the full details in our blog post: dataqualitycampaign.org/finding-a-pa...

Using Data to Support Postsecondary Access, Completion, and Return on Investment | DQC State data systems that provide robust, user-friendly information can bridge information gaps and improve postsecondary education and workforce outcomes.

Our latest resource is a comprehensive landscape of the data ecosystem related to postsecondary access, completion, and ROI. It unpacks leaders’ data needs, current challenges, and how states can improve their SLDSs and use data to support students. dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/pow...

The Trump Administration’s Layoffs at the Department of Education | DQC As states continue their work to get young people through school and into postsecondary education and the workforce, they need the federal government to be a partner in that effort, not a hindrance.

Arbitrary layoffs at the Department of Education leave states without the federal support they need. Diluting ED’s mission will hinder the ability of states to direct their education systems and parents to make informed decisions. Read our statement: dataqualitycampaign.org/news/the-tru...

Driver’s License Data Can Help States Better Understand Education and Workforce Pathways Driver’s license data offers a single verifiable record that can be used to fill gaps in other records and accurately connect data across sectors, enabling a state to resolve inconsistent data and imp...

In DQC’s first state implementation guide, we partnered with DISC at WestEd to help state leaders understand the utility of including driver’s license data in SLDS matching processes and share considerations for state leaders as they pursue this work. dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/dri...

Data Sharing to Help Students Succeed After High School | DQC State leaders are creating initiatives that make enrolling in postsecondary education and workforce programs simpler for students who meet certain requirements.

Our latest resource addresses the benefits of using data to make enrolling in postsecondary education and workforce programs simpler for students, the implementation challenges, and how state and education institutions can navigate FERPA compliance: dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/dat...

NPSAS Data is Invaluable. Canceling its Funding is a Critical Loss. | DQC Losing NPSAS data will undermine evidence-based policymaking, weaken accountability measures, and limit analysis of student success and workforce pathways.

The federal cancellation of IES contracts will negatively impact critical NPSAS data. Learn how its loss can undermine evidence-based policymaking, weaken accountability measures, and limit analysis of student success and workforce pathways: dataqualitycampaign.org/npsas-data-i...

Building A Workforce Data Ecosystem That Works for Everyone | DQC The public workforce system provides a variety of supports and opportunities, but needs data to do its work effectively.

In a new blog post, Steve Voytek and Ted Welsh unpack the importance of a robust workforce data ecosystem and why lawmakers must revisit WIOA reauthorization proposals to support a public workforce system that works for everyone. Find it here: dataqualitycampaign.org/a-workforce-...

6 Questions Senators Should Ask Trump’s Nominee for Education Secretary Bell-Ellwanger: With NAEP scores down & absenteeism up, Linda McMahon must make her policies on data, assessment, transparency & student privacy clear

"Members of the HELP Committee should seek to clarify how McMahon plans to continue investing in data to ensure that students, families, educators and policymakers have the information they need to make decisions."

www.the74million.org/article/6-qu...

K–12 Leaders Need Access to Data | DQC Everyone should have access to the information they need to ensure that K–12 students receive necessary support in and out of school.

Eric is a middle school principal who wants to make accessing health services and other resources easier for his students. State data systems can connect school leaders like Eric to the data they need to support students. Read more: dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/con...

Transforming State Early Childhood Data | DQC Better data is critical to improving the early childhood ecosystem. States must do more comprehensive work to support better data systems in the future.

Better data is critical to improving the early childhood ecosystem. Many states have initiated promising efforts to improve their data capacity, but more comprehensive efforts are needed. Read more in DQC’s full resource: dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/tra...

DQC’s webinar How Much Does it Cost? Best Practices for SLDSs is on Jan 30, 2025, from 2-3 pm (ET)! This webinar will feature discussions on state-identified cost considerations driving the development and sustainability of SLDSs. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Three State Legislative Actions We’re Watching For in 2025 | DQC In 2025, DQC hopes to see states build on previous years' progress by continuing to codify and establish cross-agency data governance, easing transitions between high school and postsecondary pathways...

In our first blog post of 2025, DQC shares three actions we hope to see states take as we monitor, analyze, and elevate promising policies that we see coming from state legislative sessions. Find it here: dataqualitycampaign.org/legislative-...

People Want Information to Improve Their Career Trajectories | DQC DQC’s 2024 poll found that adult learners need data to explore career enhancement options, but the data is hard to access or find.

Adult learners looking to enhance their careers deserve meaningful access to data that will help meet their needs, but have difficulty accessing the information they need to advance their careers. Read more in our latest poll of adult learners: dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/car...

Early Childhood Administrators Value Data for Decisionmaking | DQC DQC’s 2024 poll found that early childhood administrators want better data, but are overburdened by government reporting requirements.

Early childhood administrators value data for decisionmaking, want better access to more data, and think that data collection and reporting requirements tend to be inefficient—if not overwhelming. Read more in our latest poll: dataqualitycampaign.org/resource/ear...