Building a Student-Level Data System
Published May 2016
The release of the revised College Scorecard in 2015 showcased the transformative power of federally held higher education data. However, despite its comprehensiveness, the data had significant limitations, primarily due to the unit record ban prohibiting the creation of a new student-level data system. This paper advocates for Congress to overturn the ban, emphasizing the manifold benefits such a system would bring. A student-level data system would empower institutions to better assess their effectiveness, advocate for funding, and fulfill reporting requirements. For students and families, it would provide personalized data on outcomes, aiding in informed college decisions. States could better understand student movements and assess the impact of aid programs. Moreover, policymakers and the public would gain crucial insights into the effectiveness of federal programs and higher education’s contribution to social mobility and economic growth. Embracing a student-level data system would revolutionize data-driven decision-making in higher education and optimize the allocation of federal financial aid, paving the way for a more transparent, efficient, and accountable postsecondary education landscape.
This paper is part of Envisioning the National Postsecondary Data Infrastructure in the 21st Century.