SHEEO manages two ongoing projects focused on measuring the capacity and effective use of state postsecondary data systems, and providing a forum for states to work on solutions to common issues with those systems. The Strong Foundations project seeks to understand the state of postsecondary data systems. Multiple iterations of the Strong Foundations survey and associated reports document the content, capacity, and effective use of state postsecondary data systems. Through the Communities of Practice project, SHEEO is developing an ongoing network of state postsecondary data users by providing opportunities for members to share information, discuss and critique solutions, and provide assistance to practitioners in other states. All of the content associated with these projects is available for download, including the Strong Foundations reports, white papers, and presentations.
Presentations Driving Effective Practices for Community College Workforce Education
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Aligned Education and Workforce Data: Use Cases from Tennessee and Virginia [TN]
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Aligned Education and Workforce Data: Use Cases from Tennessee and Virginia [VA]
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White Papers Communities of Practice: Developing Financial Aid Metrics in State Data Systems
The fourth Communities of Practice convening, “Developing Guided Pathways and Financial Aid Metrics in State Data Systems,” was held in Seattle, Washington, in April 2019. The two-day meeting included representatives from 13 states—Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. The state teams selected for this meeting represented a diverse group of systems currently utilizing or seeking to add guided pathways and financial aid metrics to their state data systems. Day One of the convening included presentations from leading scholars about understanding financial aid data, as well as examples of state data systems currently collecting this information and providing it in meaningful ways to consumers (potential students and their families). Day Two focused on guided pathways, the importance of momentum metrics, and using data to support institutional reforms.
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Communities of Practice: Developing Guided Pathways Metrics in State Data Systems
State postsecondary education data systems are vital information assets for policymakers, researchers, and the public. The Communities of Practice project (funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) at SHEEO builds upon our ongoing efforts to measure the capacity and effective use of state postsecondary data systems and provides states with opportunities to develop solutions to common issues with those systems. The fourth Communities of Practice convening, “Developing Guided Pathways and Financial Aid Metrics in State Data Systems,” was held in Seattle, Washington, in April 2019. This white paper highlights key themes and findings for the guided pathways segment of the convening and suggests topics for further consideration.
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Integrating Independent Institutions in State Postsecondary Data Systems
This paper highlights opportunities and challenges associated with integrating independent institutions into state postsecondary data systems.
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Assessing and Improving State Postsecondary Data Systems
Envisioning the National Postsecondary Data Infrastructure in the 21st Century
This paper explores the role of State Postsecondary Student Unit Record Systems (PSURS) in the national data ecosystem, highlights major issues facing these systems, and offers policy recommendations for state and federal policymakers.
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