Sharing student data from pre-K through college is key

Organizations: Baltimore Sun
Date: 02/2010
Description: In the midst of a state budget crisis, Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposal to establish a system to collect individual-level student statistics from all sectors of education and the work force might not attract much attention. That would be unfortunate, because this initiative could revolutionize policymakers' ability to answer questions at the core of educational effectiveness.
The Maryland Longitudinal Data System would make it easier to share information about students across agencies and institutions in the state for the purpose of examining student progress and outcomes over time -- particularly those related to preparation for postsecondary education and employment.
If created by the General Assembly, the system would vault the state to the top tier of those that have responded to the "Data Quality Campaign" movement. Launched in 2005, the campaign called on every state to put in place systems that would align data from pre-K-12 and postsecondary education. Such systems, the campaign envisioned, would supply decision-makers with information to shape and adjust policies and practices as they relate to student achievement.