Each year, state legislators craft new policies that drive data use across their states, and as part of a comprehensive review of state education data legislation, the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) keeps track. In 2022, state legislators introduced 131 bills in 35 states--42 of which became law in 17 states-- that would govern the use of data along…

In 2021, legislators in 45 states introduced 361 bills to govern the use of data about education or the workforce, and leaders in most states (38) enacted a new education data law. This level of legislative activity that is focused on education data collection, use, protection, and reporting is nothing new. But the ongoing pandemic left unique…

In 2020, state legislators have remained focused on making data available to address education challenges. More and more, policymakers are introducing bills that would address the information needs of students, educators, parents, and the public, though most new education data laws do not systematically support data use. As the COVID-19 crisis…

In 2019, legislators on both sides of the aisle in nearly every state proposed legislation addressing the use of data to inform decision-making to support students on their path to success. Through proposed legislation, many of these policymakers took steps to improve the foundational data systems and processes that make data work for students and…

Over the past decade, states have made enormous progress in collecting, using, and reporting education data in service of learning--although state legislation has primarily focused on implementing the robust privacy and security protections and data governance structures that make data use safe. In the 2017 legislative session, data privacy…

2018 is the fifth year that state policymakers have taken concerted legislative action on education data use and privacy issues. Across the country this year, 42 states considered 300 bills and 25 states passed 59 new laws governing the collection, linking, use, access, and protection of education data. With the passage of the Every Student…

Student data privacy was a priority issue in state legislatures in 2016, though as expected, states passed fewer student data privacy bills into law than they did in 2014 and 2015. The privacy conversation has evolved since 2014, and now states have the ability to borrow from each other: California's 2014 Student Online Personal Information…

High education expectations--and the tools to ensure that they are being met--empower educators, students, parents, and policymakers to support student learning and make the best decisions to improve education. Most states have voluntarily adopted the Common Core State Standards to serve as their education expectations. To consistently and…

Growing state and district use of education data and increased public attention to the ways in which these data are collected, used, managed, and disclosed have sparked conversation on the value of data and how they are protected. Student data (e.g., demographics, transcripts, attendance, test scores, outcomes, etc.) are an important tool for…

Last year, growing state and district use of education data and increased public attention to the ways in which these data are collected, used, managed, and disclosed sparked much conversation in statehouses around the country about the value of data and how they are protected. Student data (e.g., demographics, transcripts, attendance, test…

District and state data systems are constructed to ensure that individuals can access only the data that are appropriate for their role. Still, questions from the public about how these data systems work and how student privacy is protected have been increasing. A recurring concern is the feared existence of a "permanent record"--a…

The Data Quality Campaign (DQC) is dedicated to helping everyone with a stake in education, including parents, teachers, education leaders, and policymakers, effectively and appropriately understand and use education data. DQC helps parents and educators understand the value of data--why data matter and how they can help students be successful in…

Every state can create secure, robust linkages between early childhood and K-12 data systems, and effectively use the information from these linkages to implement initiatives to support programs and children, answer key policy questions, and be transparent about how the state's early childhood investments prepare students for success in school and…

Over the last five years, states have made significant progress implementing statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDS) to collect, store, link and share student-level data. States and the many national organizations supporting their efforts recognized that while building and using these indispensable data systems are important for policy,…

Education data can empower educators, students, parents, and policymakers with the information they need to make the best decisions to improve student achievement, information that can move the nation toward an education system in which every student graduates prepared for college and career. Safeguarding the privacy of student data is a critical…