Browse Resources by Topic

Longitudinal data systems should not be viewed as an Information Technology project but as a tool to improve student achievement. Policy topics like increasing the rigor and relevance of high school, improving teacher quality, promoting higher graduation rates and reducing achievement gaps among student populations must all be informed by timely, reliable, and quality longitudinal data. The topics listed at left reflect the most pressing issues facing building and using longitudinal data systems. Click each topic for an overview of these critical issues as well as further refine each topic by its related subtopic(s).

The following Highlighted Resources are some of the most recent and/or relevant developments related to each topic, but they are continuously changing, so check back often:

Highlighted Resources

• State Action 3: Data Governance
  There are two aspects of governance that need to be addressed to ensure that data is first collected/reported/used properly within the state education agency (intra-agency data governance) and then linked and exchanged properly with other state agencies (inter-agency data governance). This brief defines these two aspects of data governance and provides state examples of each.
• Leveraging Federal Funding for Longitudinal Data Systems - A Roadmap for States
  This roadmap provides a starting point for state plans by identifying federal funding sources that can be used for data-related activities. The dollar amounts included in this document reflect new ARRA funding, which is in addition to regular FY 2009 appropriations and separate from FY 2010 budget requests. Although all of the identified funds can be used for data-related activities, each source has unique guidance on some of the ways the funds may be used.
  Please be aware that the title of each funding stream links to more information regarding this source. There is also a live, interactive and printable version of this information available at www.dataqualitycampaign.org/roadmap.
• The Next Step: Using Longitudinal Data Systems To Improve Student Success
  Over the next three years, the DQC will continue to assist states in developing data systems based on the 10 essential elements and in using the information to improve student performance. To help ensure that states benefit from their infrastructure investments, the DQC will focus on two high-priority needs: building demand for the newly available information and helping state agencies assist all stakeholders in harnessing this powerful source of information.
• Smart Options: Investing the Recovery Funds for Student Success
  This brief is designed to assist policymakers at the state and district levels in setting priorities for the use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. The brief identifies five priority areas including to provide data and information that educators, policy makers, and parents can use. Governors and state chiefs should dramatically accelerate the work to embed all 10 elements of the Data Quality Campaign into the state’s data system, including linking teacher data to student performance data; link K–12 systems with early learning and postsecondary systems; align data definitions and design specifications with national standards; and ensure educators, policymakers, and parents are using the data to drive key decisions.
• FERPA Mythbusters
  One page analysis of seven myths about FERPA.