Strong Foundations Survey and Reporting
For more than 50 years, state agencies have used postsecondary student unit record systems (PSURSs) data to inform policy and decision-making. Over that time, PSURSs have proliferated and evolved to allow greater collection, storage, sharing, linking, and communication of data. While these evolving systems and their data vary across states, they provide universal value and play a vital role in improving state postsecondary goals and student outcomes.
Since 2010, SHEEO has documented these changes through Strong Foundations surveys and reporting. In the Strong Foundations 2025 survey, SHEEO asked about the number of PSURSs existing in states, the types of data elements state postsecondary agencies are collecting, connections of PSURSs and elements to other state agency data systems and state longitudinal data systems (SLDSs), and the value of those data to inform and improve state goals and student outcomes.
The Strong Foundations survey is an invaluable resource for us in benchmarking the development and use of PSUR data. We appreciate and look forward to each new release.
Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
Understanding Strong Foundations 2025:
Explore the Strong Foundations 2025 survey and data through the menu on the left to understand the number of PSURSs existing in each state, what data elements states are collecting, what data are linked to other state agencies, and the K-12 and workforce data elements that are collected by or linked to PSURSs. SHEEO has developed a longitudinal dashboard to demonstrate the change in PSUR elements and state agency linkages since 2010.
Through the menu sidebar, you can also access the survey instrument, methodology, and respondent information. For reports associated with current and historical Strong Foundations surveys, go here.