Fostering State-to-State Data Exchanges
Published May 2016
This paper addresses the gaps in postsecondary education outcomes data and the need for a sustainable solution to inform policymaking and student decisions effectively. Proposing a state data exchange system, the paper draws from the experience of the Multistate Longitudinal Data Exchange led by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). By linking existing state data systems, the exchange aims to provide crucial information to diverse stakeholders, including students, institutions, policymakers, and the federal government. The paper highlights the benefits of a state data exchange in enhancing accountability, improving institutional effectiveness, and fostering evidence-based policy decisions. While challenges in geographic and institutional coverage remain, the paper presents progress made in data sharing and outlines the importance of establishing a sustainable governance structure and funding model. Ultimately, the state data exchange offers a promising pathway to revolutionize postsecondary education insights and planning.
This paper is part of Envisioning the National Postsecondary Data Infrastructure in the 21st Century.