This brief policy analysis describes how four states, Kentucky, Missouri, New York and Virginia ensure a quality review process within their educational data system. Each state case study provides a brief description of their data system, how the data is used, how the state ensures quality data, and the benefits and challenges to development of…

The national goal of increasing postsecondary credentials, to improve both equity and economic competitiveness, requires a fresh look at how to recognize learning in noncredit workforce education and training. The credit hour has long been the standard academic currency in postsecondary education. Despite its weakness as a measure of learning, in…

The historical and current balance among the federal, state, and local levels in the control of education is reviewed in this report, with a focus on effective schools research and the management of change. Five policy instruments are described, which include mandates, inducements, capacity-building, system-changing, and leadership. A conceptual…