Policy Implications of Building and Using Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems to Improve Student Achievement

About Policy Implications of Building and Using Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems

The Data Quality Campaign (DQC) is a national collaborative initiative working to encourage and support policymakers’ efforts to fully develop and use longitudinal data to improve education. During the past year, the DQC has generated power behind the issues of data collection, availability and use. A growing network of committed partners at the national, state and local levels is shining a brighter and wider spotlight on pragmatic ways to build and use longitudinal data systems to improve educational outcomes. The DQC recognizes that policymakers at every level face important, timely challenges in building and using data systems; it will take significant investment, support and capacity building at the local, state and national levels to achieve that goal. The policy actions noted here reflect the common concerns, shared vision and lessons learned from the growing DQC network. Click to learn more about: Building and Using Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems: Implications for Policy.

Policymakers should consider a range of efforts that will help reduce barriers and increase support for the building and use of longitudinal data systems to improve education policy and practice.

Increase support for the implementation of aligned, interoperable, statewide longitudinal data systems in every state.
Support capacity building at the state and local levels that enables data use as an essential tool for improving student achievement.
Encourage the use of common data definitions by educators and public officials.
Support a means to fulfill common data requests that can help reduce the burden on state and local officials.
Update student privacy policies to clarify appropriate uses of statewide data systems, such as for sharing data between districts, between states and within states, and among state agencies and for research and tools focused on school improvement and higher student achievement. To read more about clarifying student privacy policies, including the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), click here